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Acne decoded.

Woke up in the morning, walked over to wash your face, only to spot a brand-new zit building a home on your skin? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there and done that. As if acne wasn’t frustrating enough in those teenage years, these pesky little pustules sometimes carry over into adulthood, lowering your confidence and adding to your stress. 

So, the big question is, what exactly causes acne, and how do you deal with it? 

Our skin has tiny hair follicles with sebaceous glands that produce an oily substance called sebum, which helps to maintain skin moisture and suppleness. Sometimes, these follicles become dilated and blocked by a combination of sebum and keratin, a skin protein. While sebum and keratin are essential for healthy skin and hair, overproduction of sebum can cause acne. Acne is formed when these hair follicles become blocked with sebum and keratin, creating an environment for bacteria to thrive. The trapped oil serves as food for bacteria, which become active due to a less acidic pH resulting from the buildup of sebum. This can lead to the formation of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, pustules, nodules, or cysts. Once the condition reaches this stage, it is referred to as acne.

There really is no single underlying cause for acne, but it can be attributed to a number of factors, including genetics, hormonal fluctuations, diet, lifestyle, weather conditions, medications, and more. Essentially, the causes of acne are different for different people and need to be treated as such. But there's one natural ingredient that can help you tackle acne of all sorts. 

Aloe to the rescue

When it comes to treating acne, Aloe Vera is one of the most potent bioactives in your arsenal. It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties that combined with the strengthening and soothing effects of mannans (polymers that contain sugar mannose as the principal component) to powerfully heal acne and acne scars. Read on to find out more about Aloe Vera’s acne-combating abilities.

Eliminating acne-causing bacteria

As we mentioned above, Aloe Vera has the natural ability to win the battle against the Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) bacteria that causes pimples to develop. It contains anthraquinones and mannans. Anthraquinone stops harmful bacteria from growing, while mannans boost the immune system and fight bacterial infections. Using Aloe Vera can help stave off bacteria and keep your skin zit-free for longer.

Tackling acne-induced inflammation

Aloe Vera is rich in polysaccharides that help greatly with bringing down inflammation and healing wounds. Aloe vera contains a variety of active compounds, including polysaccharides, which have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. That means it’s great at reducing the splotchy redness and the painful swelling that accompany certain types of acne. Aloe Vera is also intrinsically cooling, meaning it feels great when applied to inflamed parts of your skin. 

Fading acne scars

If there’s one plant that’s an expert at healing and rejuvenation, it’s gotta be Aloe Vera. This capability comes in handy when you’re trying to lighten acne scars. The polysaccharides in Aloe Vera are good for skin cell regeneration, stimulating new skin growth and thus improving the appearance of scars. It doesn’t hurt that Aloe Vera is highly moisturizing, giving your skin a dewy fresh look when applied topically. 

Essential Aloe Vera skincare routine.

Now that you’re familiar with the magic of Aloe Vera, here are some of our favorite Curaloe products that help keep acne away. The Curaloe Organic Total Skin Polish is enriched with the dual powers of hydrating Aloe Vera and exfoliating Apricot Seed Powder. This product works wonders on congested, rough-textured skin that’s prone to acne. The Curaloe Facial Wash Pure Skin gets deep into the skin to get rid of impurities and dirt, preventing acne and breakouts. Finish off your skincare routine with Curaloe Organic Aloe Vera Gel to seal in the goodness. Finally, a daily dose of Curaloe Aloe Vera Vitamin Shot provides your body with a whole lot of vital nutrients and minerals that are necessary for healthy and happy skin!