Aloe Vera is no stranger in the beauty and skincare world. The clear gel inside the plant’s long and thick leaves contains a substance that is rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, skin-lightening components, and much more – all these offer numerous benefits to the skin.
While most people do use Aloe Vera as a natural solution to various skin issues, only a few people know that the plant can be used for the eyes. In this article, we will help you understand the particular benefits of using Aloe Vera for eyes. We will also help you figure out whether putting Aloe Vera in your eyes is a good idea.
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Benefits of Using Aloe Vera for Eyes
1. Heal or Repair the Damaged Skin
Research into the actions and properties of Aloe Vera has confirmed that the plant’s extracts feature a wide variety of components that can help with skin repair around the eyes. Minerals found in Aloe Vera include zinc, selenium, potassium, and magnesium.
In particular, selenium and zinc act as antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help with repairing cells that have already been damaged.
In addition to both zinc and selenium, Aloe Vera contains Vitamin A, C, and E – these have the antioxidant effect. Other vitamins in Aloe Vera include folic acid, choline, and vitamin B12 – these also help repair and strengthen the skin around your eyes.
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2. Inflammation Benefits
It is not uncommon for people to deal with annoying puffiness and swelling around their eyes. Aloe Vera has inflammation benefits – this makes the plant an ideal natural remedy. When you apply Aloe Vera topically to the skin, the enzymes and fatty acids in the plant will help you reduce the inflammation.
The amino acids in Aloe Vera – including salicylic acid – have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce and heal acne and minor skin wounds. These properties also make Aloe Vera a perfect sunburn solution.
Related: Aloe Vera For Inflammation & Aloe Vera For Eczema
3. Moisturizing Benefits
If you are dealing with dry skin around your eyes, Aloe Vera lotion or gel may be a perfect solution for this problem. The enzymes and water contained in Aloe Vera products can help moisten the skin and get rid of itchiness and flakiness. If you deal with dry skin in cold weather, using Aloe Vera may help you get rid of the issue.
If you have oily skin, you won’t have to worry that using Aloe Vera for its moisturizing benefits is a bad idea. When used regularly, Aloe Vera can act as a gentle cleanser, helping you clear up your oily skin.
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4. Antifungal Benefits
Research has proven that Aloe Vera does have antifungal properties. These can help clear up various skin conditions around your eyes. If you deal with dry and itchy skin around your eyes or on your face, Aloe Vera can help soothe your skin.
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5. Filled Expression Lines
Aloe Vera contains essential amino acids and vitamin E that help prevent the appearance of wrinkles. As noted earlier, Aloe Vera components also help minimize dryness, which is one of the major causes of wrinkles.
The skin around the eyes is generally delicate – this makes it more prone to wrinkle-related issues, including the crow’s feet. Aloe Vera is a perfect wrinkle solution.
The plant’s extract will reduce the lines of expression and fill them. If the wrinkles and lines of expression are yet to appear, Aloe Vera will prevent them.
Related: Aloe Vera For Wrinkles
6. Regulates Skin Tone
Most people have to deal with dark circles in the eye area. The dark circles are a result of fatigue, stress, accumulation of toxins, and even genetic factors. Aloe Vera can help regulate blood circulation around the eyes – this helps eliminate the dark circles.
Related: Aloe Vera For Skin Whitening
Can You Put Aloe Vera in Eyes to Treat Dry Eyes?
A study conducted in 2012 tested the effects of filtered Aloe Vera extracts on the human corneal cells. The study found evidence that the plant extract contains properties that can help reduce eye dryness and inflammation.
The study also determined that Aloe Vera, when used at low concentrations, may not have negative effects on human eye cells. Other studies that had involved research on animals supported the findings.
While the above study suggests that using Aloe Vera in the eyes may be a good idea, you must refrain from putting Aloe Vera gel directly in the eyes. Doing so may result in various side effects, including redness, irritation, and burning.
More research has to be done on Aloe Vera eyedrops before they are described as 100% safe. For now, it is recommended that you only use Aloe Vera on the skin and not directly in your eye.
When using Aloe Vera for eyes, use the gel on the outside of the eyelids – this can help you reduce the swelling and redness. Be cautious to avoid getting any of the Aloe Vera gel in the eyes and do not apply the gel close to the eyelid’s edge. After applying the Aloe Vera gel, avoid rubbing your eyes. Be sure to use a small amount of the gel.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Eyes
To use Aloe Vera around your eyes, you will need to extract the Aloe Vera gel from the plant’s leaves. Extracting the plant’s gel is extremely easy and can be done at home. After extracting the Aloe gel, simply follow the steps outlined below to treat dryness, sunburn, redness, and inflammation around your eyes:
Step 1: Using a mild cleanser and water, wash your face.
Note: You have to use clean water to wash your face. If you do not have access to clean water – say, when out hiking in the wilderness – be sure to use a backpacking water filter to purify the water.
Step 2: Using your favorite bath or swim towel, dry your skin completely.
Step 3: Lightly dab your Aloe Vera gel around your eyes (or on the affected area) in a thin layer.
Note: Avoid rubbing the gel into the skin (like a lotion). Also, avoid getting the Aloe Vera gel close to the eyes.
Step 4: Leave the gel on for approximately 10 – 15 minutes. After about a quarter of an hour, simply wash the gel off with lukewarm water. If, however, you are using Aloe gel as a moisturizer, consider allowing it to absorb into your skin.
You can use the gel up to three times per day to treat any condition around the eyes. You, however, need to note that Aloe Vera gel can easily dry out the skin – this generally happens if you use the gel too frequently. If you start noticing dryness around your eyes, use Aloe Vera gel less often.
If you are currently using a standard moisturizer and would like to replace it with Aloe Vera gel, start using the gel slowly. Replace your usual moisturizer with Aloe Vera gel once a week. Increase your Aloe Vera use if the gel works perfectly for you.
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Safety Tips to Keep in Mind When Using Aloe Vera Around the Eyes
To avoid negative effects when using Aloe Vera products for eyes, you will need to remember the following safety tips:
1. Avoid Putting Aloe Vera in Eyes
While Aloe Vera is generally safe for use on the skin, it may cause negative effects if it gets in your eye. To enjoy the amazing benefits of Aloe Vera gel, be sure to apply it on the outside of your eye only. Don’t apply the gel close to your eyelid’s edge since the gel may get in the eye when you blink.
2. Do Not Overuse Aloe Vera
Although Aloe Vera can help with skin moisturization, the plant’s extract can dry out the skin if you overuse it. The enzymes in Aloe Vera usually act as exfoliators. Every time you over-exfoliate the skin, you may cause the skin to become too dry or overly oily – this depends on the skin type.
3. Patch Test Aloe Vera Before Using it on Eyes
If you have never used Aloe Vera on your skin before, you must patch test before applying it on your face. This is generally important if you are allergic to onions or garlic.
To do a patch test, apply a small amount of the Aloe gel on the inside of the elbow or wrist. If you have any allergic reaction to the Aloe Vera gel, you will notice burning, redness, swelling, or itching within a couple of hours. If you do not have any negative reaction, Aloe Vera gel is likely safe to use around your eyes.
4. Consult a HealthCare Provider If You Are Using a Steroid Cream
If you are currently using a steroid cream in the same area where you intend to apply the Aloe Vera gel, the skin may end up absorbing more of the steroid cream. For this reason, talk to your doctor before applying a combination of Aloe Vera and steroid cream on the same skin area.
FAQs
Q: Can You Put Aloe Vera In Your Eyes?
Putting Aloe Vera gel directly into the eyes is not recommended. Doing so could cause redness, irritation, burning, and other negative effects.
The best way to enjoy maximum benefits from Aloe Vera is to use the plant’s extract outside the eye. Simply apply the gel around the eye, on your eyelids, while taking proper precautions to ensure that the gel does not get inside the eye.
Q: Can Aloe Cause Eye Irritation?
If Aloe Vera gel gets in your eye, you may end up with eye irritation. Other negative effects that could result from putting Aloe Vera in eyes include a burning sensation and eye redness. If you apply the Aloe Vera gel around the eyes without getting it inside the eyes, you won’t have to deal with any negative effects.
Q: Can Aloe Vera Remove Dark Circles?
Aloe Vera is a perfect solution to dark circles. Aloe Vera increases the blood circulation around the eyes and even boosts the generation of new cells – these properties make the dark circles disappear.
It is worth noting that you can increase the rate at which Aloe Vera gets rid of the dark circles by combining it with other ingredients. The additional ingredients you can use together with Aloe Vera gel include honey, potato juice, rosewater, lemon juice, and vitamin E. To learn how to use the ingredients and Aloe Vera for dark circles, read our detailed guide.
Related: Aloe Vera For Dark SpotsQ: Is Aloe Vera Harmful to Eyes?
When used correctly, Aloe Vera is not harmful to the eyes. To avoid negative effects when using Aloe Vera for eyes, take the necessary precautions to keep the gel from getting in your eyes. The precautions include dabbing (instead of rubbing) a small amount of Aloe Vera gel on the skin and ensuring that the gel is not too close to the eyelid’s edge.
Q: Can You Put Fresh Aloe Vera In Your Eyes?
Putting fresh Aloe Vera in the eyes is not recommended. Fresh Aloe Vera gel can cause burning, eye irritation, redness, and other negative effects. Using fresh Aloe Vera around the eyes (on the outside) is, however, recommended.
Q: Is Aloe Vera Good for Eye Infections?
Aloe Vera is great against various eye infections. It has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can help get rid of the infections. When using Aloe Vera for eye infections, be sure to apply it only on the outside – this will help you avoid negative effects which usually result from putting Aloe Vera gel directly into the eyes.
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When used topically around the eyes, Aloe Vera can be an ideal solution to various issues. From improving moisturization around the eye, repairing the skin, getting rid of dark circles, and fighting various infections, the Aloe Vera plant has numerous benefits.
Putting Aloe Vera in the eyes may cause negative effects. Hence, when using Aloe Vera extracts for eyes, be sure to keep the gel on the outside.
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