4. Aloe Vera
The fleshy leaves of the aloe vera plant provide a nourishing and hydrating fluid that soothes the skin and speeds up healing of wounds. Aloe vera has potent antimicrobial properties that make it ideal for eliminating bacteria and preventing infection from cuts and scrapes.
There are thousands of skincare products containing aloe vera, in varying concentrations. Recent studies show that taking aloe vera powder as a supplement doubles the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid in the body, providing the skin and skeletal system with additional proteins to keep them healthy.
Aloe vera has a positive effect on the skin when applied topically as a moisturizing cream, or when ingested in supplement format. The lectins found in the plant stimulate cell growth, and improve the health of the immune system. Applying Aloe gel to your skin dilates the capillaries in the deeper layers, increasing blood flow while reducing healing time for wounds and skin conditions, such as eczema.