Mankind has known for centuries that aloe vera is good for the skin. It’s rumored that Cleopatra- known for her amazing beauty- actually used aloe vera to make her skin glow.

But besides the health benefits of aloe vera, did you know that you can use it for skin whitening?

How to Use Aloe Vera for Skin Whitening

Aloe vera comes in a number of different forms. One of the most common forms is a simple aloe vera gel. Usually people have this in their homes to treat minor wounds or sunburns. However, that gel can also be used to whiten your skin.

Simply apply the gel to your skin twice daily. Use small amounts so that it spreads thinly across your face. Allow it to dry- do not wipe or rinse it off.

Some people prefer to use aloe vera in its more natural form. You can pluck fresh aloe vera leaves and mash them into a thick paste. Then spread the paste over your skin- you can do this up to twice a day.

A few brands of soap contain aloe vera, as it both heals the skin and kills bacteria. These soaps are a good way to clean and brighten your body without drying out the skin.

Finally- some facial lotions and creams contain aloe vera. Follow the directions on the tube or bottle, because they each have their own recommended directions.

How Does Aloe Vera Work?

The reason it’s used in some skin whitening products is that aloe vera contains Lignin. This is a substance that moisturizes the skin. Lignin also helps the skin stay elastic, and not become tough and tight.

Aloe vera also contains a compound called anthraquinone. This helps remove dead cells and brightens the skin while healing irritation such as rashes or acne.

The last thing that needs to be reiterated is that aloe vera is both anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. This means that it kills bacteria growing on the skin, keeping it healthier.

Note that even though it does help brighten the skin a little, this is not aloe vera’s most powerful health benefit. Instead, it is best used to heal the skin, and then use another whitening method.

Can Anyone Use Aloe Vera?

Patients of all ages and skin colors have had success with aloe vera. Whether you have black, brown or yellow skin, aloe vera can help it shine brighter and lighter.

How Long Does it Take for Aloe Vera to Work?

The short answer is that it depends. The health of your skin, how much aloe vera you use, the quality of the product, your age, and many other things factor into the speed of results.

Generally, you should see clear results within several weeks in regards to skin lightening. However, it should only take several days to notice reduced skin blemishes, and a brighter glow of the skin.

We recommend giving the aloe vera at least 4 to 6 weeks before you decide that it is not working for you.

Are There any Side Effects of Aloe Vera?

When aloe vera is applied directly to the skin, there are no known side effects.

However, aloe vera is also available in pill form. Some patients have had side effects when the herb is taken through pills. Some studies show that inflammation, accumulation of toxins in the liver and kidneys, and even death can occur if it is ingested for long periods of time.

Also, you should know that latex comes from the aloe vera plant. Some people are allergic to latex, and it can cause a rash or diarrhea.

What About Aloe Vera Juice?

Some health “experts” claim that aloe vera juice is extremely helpful to the body. Others say that it’s not as good as the hype says it is.

As you might expect, the normal way to use aloe vera juice is to drink it. Considering the skin whitening benefits of applying aloe vera gel to the skin, it’s easy to think that drinking juice would also help.

However, as mentioned earlier, ingesting aloe vera is not a good idea. There are numerous side effects associated with it. That’s why we recommend only using aloe vera gel- not juice- for skin bleaching.

How to Whiten Skin Safely and Quickly

Even though aloe vera is a good home remedy, it is not a primary recommendation for skin bleaching. Instead, its recommended that you try a good lotion like Epibright.

Epibright is all-natural, is a top-rated product by customers, and has a history of proven results. It is specifically catered to making the skin whiter and brighter. You can learn more about Epibright on our homepage if you have questions.