If you know anything about beauty trends, you must be familiar with this one wonder ingredient called aloe vera. From leading beauty enthusiasts to popular celebrities, everyone is always talking about this natural ingredient and how it works wonders for your hair and skin. But does it really work for your skin and hair the way it has been popularized?

We reached out to Dr Rinky Kapoor, Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic Dermatologist and Dermato-Surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, to understand if aloe vera is worth the hype. But let’s understand its benefits first.

Benefits of aloe vera

“The use of aloe vera in skin and hair health is not new, and it has been used by many cultures for years to treat many beauty-related problems. The main benefit is that it is soothing and anti-inflammatory for the scalp and skin,” says Dr Kapoor. It contains 98 per cent of water, vitamins A, C, E and B12 along with essential minerals and fatty acids. The dermatologist says that it can be beneficial for you in more ways than one:

• Soothes burns and reduces the healing time
• Reduces pain and soreness or wounds or injuries
• Improves collagen production
• Treats fungal infections
• Repairs sun damage
• De-accelerates the ageing process
• Hydrates the skin and makes it more supple and glowing
• Reduces acne
• Minimizes the symptoms of eczema and rosacea
• Reduces itchiness and dry scalp irritation
• Cleanses and strengthens hair
• Improves digestion

Does aloe vera work for hair and skin?

It might seem like a miracle cure, but it is not a substitute for expert treatments. “It is a plant and can cause allergies on the skin and scalp, such as redness, itchiness, swelling and inflammation. Therefore, if you are a first-time user, make sure you do a patch test before using it. When buying aloe vera products, always double-check the ingredients to make sure that aloe is the first listed ingredient. Also, if the product contains substances like dyes, fragrances, parabens etc. then avoid buying such products,” advises Dr Kapoor.

She further explains that aloe vera is very beneficial if your goal is to nourish the skin and scalp, but it is not a hair regrowth treatment or a treatment for skin conditions. You should see a good dermatologist for a customized treatment plan in such cases. However, if you want to add it to your daily routine for added benefits then there is no harm in it.