Using Aloe As An Antibacterial Treatment

Aloe is a plant that is full of surprises. For instance, did you know that researchers found that aloe juice is as effective at removing dental plaque as mouthwash? It removed the bacteria and yeast that produces this build-up just as well as the antiseptic ingredient used to clean teeth. 

If it works that well in the mouth, you can imagine how great it is at keeping bacteria at bay on the skin! For thousands of years, medicinal traditions all over the world have used it, and we’re keeping this conventional wisdom alive by including aloe extract in our all-natural, all-vegan balms – here’s why!

How Does Aloe’s Antibacterial Power Work?

You see aloe on store shelves everywhere and have used it to ease the pain following a day in the sun. The plant often comes in a gel form, but this isn’t a far cry from how aloe looks in nature! Crack open the thick leaf of an aloe plant (they are great houseplants!) and you’ll see little pockets that look like jelly. The gel-like substance contains most of the bioactive components in the plant, including antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids. It’s what makes aloe such a powerful ingredient in the balms and salves we make at Crushed Aftercare! 

While you’ll most often see it as a topical for soothing skin, aloe’s compounds also work to make it an excellent antibacterial agent. These antioxidants are called “polyphenols,” and alongside several other compounds in aloe, they can inhibit the growth of infectious germs. These properties make it a natural antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antifungal. Aloe has even been shown to work as well as other conventional anti-microbial agents when used as a topical! 

However, many of the gel products that use aloe as an ingredient aren’t completely natural or vegan, meaning they can have some inflammatory effects on the skin. It’s a shame, too – aloe is a great example of how plants can work without the help of petroleum or animal by-products like gelatin! 

Aloe Can Help Your Clients Heal

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract is an important ingredient in the Crushed Aftercare line of aftercare balms and salves. The antimicrobial and antifungal power of its polyphenols keeps the wounds caused by permanent make-up treatments and tattoos clean and free of infection. 

Have your clients apply the aftercare product 2 – 3 times a day until the skin has healed. The aloe will help keep the sensitive area protected while the other ingredients moisturize and speed up the healing process. It’s a great teammate for calendula, candelilla, coconut oil, and all the other plant-based ingredients in our formulas! 

A lot of research shows that aloe can also speed up the skin’s ability to heal, but most of these studies are related to the plant’s effectiveness as a burn treatment. Luckily, you can tell your clients that our Aftercare Healing Lip and Brow Balms are great for minor burns, too!