Nicknamed the “plant of immortality” by Egyptian queens, aloe vera has long since been revered for its powerful medicinal and healing properties. Science confirms that aloe vera truly is a powerhouse – with over 75 bioactive constituents [1], this is a plant that’s capable of so much.
When it comes to skincare, there’s no denying that aloe vera is an effective multitasker. Not only can it help with everything from dehydration to skin aging, but it’s also famed for its ability to lighten the skin. Let’s find out more!
Contents
- Can Aloe Vera Lighten Skin? The Benefits of Using Aloe Vera Plant Gel to Get Rid of Age Spots, Melasma, and Other Forms of Hyperpigmentation
- What Else Does Aloe Vera Do for the Skin?
- The Effectiveness of Aloe Vera on Discoloration: Everyday Results + Before and After Testimonials
- How to Use Aloe Vera for Skin Whitening Fast: 5 Ways to Brighten Pigmentation for Glowing Skin
- A Beauty Face Mask Made From Aloe Vera and Lemon for Skin Lightening
- A Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Skin Whitening Cream
- Aloe Vera and Honey is Good for Improving Skin Fairness
- A DIY Aloe Vera Serum Does Wonders to Help Make Discoloration Fade in a Week
- Wondering How to Whiten Body Skin Fast Naturally? Try Fresh Aloe Vera Gel on its Own
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Can Aloe Vera Lighten Skin? The Benefits of Using Aloe Vera Plant Gel to Get Rid of Age Spots, Melasma, and Other Forms of Hyperpigmentation
So, one of the main benefits of using aloe vera on the skin is its lightening effects, but how exactly does it work?
Turns out, there are two specific compounds in aloe vera gel that enable it to have this brightening effect. The first is aloin, which targets overly pigmented skin [2].
It destroys extra melanin cells in the skin, with melanin being the pigment that’s giving your skin those darker marks.
Melanin is responsible for your skin color too, but aloe vera won’t interfere with melanin when it’s in the right balance – it only targets excess melanin.
Next up, we’ve got aloesin. While aloin was all about treating hyperpigmentation, aloesin focuses on prevention.
Studies have found that aloesin is capable of blocking excess melanin production in the skin, which therefore stops new dark spots from forming [3].
What Else Does Aloe Vera Do for the Skin?
While skin lightening may be your focus, it’s worth knowing the other benefits that you’ll experience when using aloe vera regularly on your skin. These include:
- Increased skin moisture levels thanks to its hydrating properties
- Anti-inflammatory effects, due to its enzymes and fatty acids
- The ability to treat various skin conditions, such as acne, eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis
- A slow down of skin aging thanks to the abundant antioxidants in aloe vera
The Effectiveness of Aloe Vera on Discoloration: Everyday Results + Before and After Testimonials
The science backs up the topical use of aloe vera, but what do everyday results from real people show?
We scoured the net to find genuine testimonials, along with before and after photos, and the results really do speak for themselves. In addition to seeing dark spots fade in a matter of weeks, we noticed how those who use the ingredient regularly have a plump, bright, and even skin tone, along with very few visible signs of aging.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Skin Whitening Fast: 5 Ways to Brighten Pigmentation for Glowing Skin
There are so many ways in which you can use aloe vera to lighten and brighten your skin. The easiest would be to purchase a good skin lightening cream that contains the extract or gel, but if you’d like to use the ingredient in its natural form, here are a few DIY skin lightening recipes you can whip up:
A Beauty Face Mask Made From Aloe Vera and Lemon for Skin Lightening
Lemons are packed with citric acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid that not only lightens UV-induced hyperpigmentation but also helps to thicken and strengthen the skin [4]. Combine this with the many incredible properties of aloe vera and you’ve got a duo that’s capable of deep transformations.
Try mixing one tablespoon each of aloe vera gel and lemon juice, and then applying this to your face. Leave it on for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off to reveal a radiant glow. Don’t be tempted to leave it on for longer – lemon juice is highly acidic and you don’t want to end up damaging your skin.
RELATED: Does Lemon Juice Lighten Skin
A Shea Butter and Aloe Vera Skin Whitening Cream
Shea butter is a great ingredient for healing and repairing the skin. Try making this DIY skin whitening cream by mixing together equal amounts of shea butter and aloe vera gel.
Apply a thin layer to your skin and massage it in until fully absorbed. Alternatively, apply a thick layer and wash it off after 20 minutes, just like a face mask.
Aloe Vera and Honey is Good for Improving Skin Fairness
Honey has been proven to have skin whitening properties [5], making this another great ingredient to pair with aloe vera. Simply mix together one tablespoon each of raw honey and aloe vera gel.
Apply this to your face, concentrating on dark spots and marks. Then, wash it off after 20 minutes.
A DIY Aloe Vera Serum Does Wonders to Help Make Discoloration Fade in a Week
One of our best fast skin whitening tips would be to make this DIY aloe vera serum. Simply blend together two tablespoons each of aloe vera gel and rose water, before adding in two vitamin E capsules. Massage it into your face twice a day, storing any excess in the fridge.
Wondering How to Whiten Body Skin Fast Naturally? Try Fresh Aloe Vera Gel on its Own
While all of the recipes that we’ve shared can be used on both the face and the body, they can be difficult to make in large enough quantities.
So, if you’d like to treat your body to the skin lightening effects of aloe, try using the fresh gel on its own. Simply apply this in a thin and even layer to your body and leave it to soak in, just like you would a moisturizer.
FAQ
Q: Can you use aloe vera to lighten skin?
Yes, aloe vera is a fantastic ingredient for lightening the skin!
Q: Can aloe vera clear dark spots?
Yes, aloe vera is very effective at clearing dark spots.
Q: How many days does aloe vera take to lighten skin?
If you’re using aloe vera regularly, it’ll only take a couple of weeks to lighten skin.
Q: How long should I leave aloe vera on my face?
If using aloe vera as a face mask, leave it on for about 20 minutes. However, aloe vera is also safe to be left on for longer – many use it instead of a moisturizer.
Q: How to make your skin white permanently in one day?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to permanently make your skin white in just one day.
Q: Does aloe vera have any overnight side effects?
There aren’t any side effects to worry about when using aloe vera topically unless you’re allergic to the ingredient.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a safe, fast, and effective way to lighten your skin, aloe vera is the perfect solution. Whether you mix it with other ingredients to create your own DIY skincare formulas or you simply use the fresh gel on its own, you’ll be able to fade your dark spots in just a couple of weeks if you commit to using aloe vera regularly.
References
[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
[2] https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0031-1298406
[3] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1468-2494.2008.00432.x
[4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1524-4725.1997.tb00391.x
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6049736/
