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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #14661
46 days ago
66

pure aloevera gel - #14661

Parthiv

I am starting to really wonder about this pure aloevera gel I found at the local health store. I thought it’d be great for my skin since I have super dry patches and some areas that are just irritated and annoying. The other day, I used this gel after a shower and it felt nice and cooling, but then I started to notice some redness on my arms. Like, is that normal? Should pure aloevera gel cause any irritation at all? I mean, I always heard it’s supposed to be soothing and everything. I've been using it for a few days now and thought it was working wonders, but this redness popped up. Do you guys think it could be an allergic reaction, or maybe just my skin being weird? I've even read that some brands are not truly pure, so how can I tell if I actually got the real pure aloevera gel? Anyone else had a similar experience? Should I stop using it? I just really want to figure this out cause I was so hopeful about it. Like, it was supposed to help and now I'm not sure if it’s my solution or just another skin issue. Please help, I don’t want to keep putting something on my skin that isn’t actually helping!

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Doctors’ responses

It sounds like you’re dealing with an unexpected skin reaction after using aloe vera gel, which can be confusing since aloe is often touted for its soothing properties. There are a couple of things you might want to consider here. First, while aloe vera gel is usually gentle and beneficial for most people, it’s not unheard of for some individuals to have a sensitivity or even an allergic reaction to it. Redness could be a sign of such sensitivity, so it might be wise to discontinue use to see if the redness subsides. If your skin calms down after stopping, this might indicate the gel was the culprit. Another possibility is that the gel might not be as “pure” as it claims. Many products labeled as pure aloe vera gel may contain added ingredients like fragrances or preservatives that could irritate sensitive skin. The ingredient list should be checked carefully; ideally, pure aloe vera will list aloe as the first ingredient and have minimal additional components. As for determining purity, look for products with a high percentage of aloe (at least 95-99%) and those that are clear and odorless. If you suspect an allergic reaction, it might help to do a patch test with a small amount on a different area, like the inside of your forearm, to see if the same reaction occurs. If you’re still experiencing bothersome symptoms or if they worsen, it’s crucial to see a healthcare professional to rule out other causes. They can help guide you on the best course of action, possibly suggesting an alternative moisturizer or treatment that better suits your skin’s needs. And always, for any over-the-counter skincare product, monitoring your skin’s response and adjusting use accordingly is key.

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