Aloe vera gel: benefits, uses and safety

What is aloe vera gel?

Aloe vera is a succulent plant with thick, fleshy leaves. The clear inner gel is different from the yellow latex near the outside of the leaf. Whole leaf preparations contain both parts, so gel, latex and whole leaf extract are not interchangeable. The inner gel is about 99% water, with dissolved compounds making up the rest.34

Aloe gel is used as a base in creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos and facial cleansers. Aloe appears in several kinds of skincare products, so the plant name alone is not much of a job description.4

When should you use aloe vera soothing gel?

Aloe gel is an option when you want a moisturizing, cooling product, particularly for the uncomfortable heat of a minor sunburn. Its gooey texture can feel like a cool balm on hot skin. That cooling sensation is a different benefit from healing the burn.24

Topical aloe gel may speed burn healing and reduce pain. Treat aloe as a possible aid for minor burns, not a reason to manage a more serious burn yourself. There is insufficient evidence to use aloe as a general treatment for acute or chronic wounds.34

Can you use aloe vera gel as a face moisturizer?

Yes, aloe gel can be used as a moisturizer. Aloe is a humectant, meaning it attracts and binds water. But drawing water into skin and keeping it there are separate jobs. Occlusive ingredients, such as petrolatum or dimethicone, help limit moisture loss through evaporation.15

For dry, eczema prone skin, a cream that combines humectants with emollients and occlusives is a better starting point than relying on a humectant alone. Emollients soften skin and help restore the fats in its protective barrier. A moisturizer has more than one job, and putting a plant on the label does not fill the other vacancies.5

How should you layer it for dry, eczema prone skin?

For an aloe containing moisturizer, use this general eczema moisturizing sequence:

1. 1Start with clean, moist skin. If you have not bathed, dampen the skin with a warm washcloth.
2. 2Apply the moisturizer while the skin is still moist.
3. 3If the moisturizer is not sufficiently occlusive, lightly add petroleum jelly on top to help seal in moisture.

For eczema, moisturizing creams or lotions are generally applied twice a day. That schedule is for eczema moisturizers, not a universal dose for plain aloe gel. Humectants used alone can sting, so an aloe gel is not automatically the gentlest choice for already irritated skin.5

Does aloe gel help acne or eczema?

Aloe gel may help acne when combined with other treatments, but that finding comes from two small studies. It is not a reason to replace an acne treatment with aloe alone. There is not enough reliable information to recommend aloe as an eczema treatment, even though aloe can serve as a moisturizing ingredient.6

Who should be careful with aloe gel?

Avoid aloe gel if you have a known allergy to it. Topical reactions include allergic contact dermatitis, an itchy skin reaction after contact, and hives. Stop applying the gel if it causes burning, itching, a rash or hives. If eczema remains uncomfortable despite moisturizing products, see a dermatologist rather than adding more aloe.45

For eczema prone skin, choose fragrance free products with a short ingredient list. Fragrances, essential oils and botanical ingredients can cause allergic skin reactions. A plant based formula still needs the same scrutiny as any other moisturizer.5

Applying aloe and taking aloe are different decisions

Do not turn advice about topical aloe into a reason to take aloe supplements. Oral aloe latex can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhea, and aloe leaf extracts have been linked to liver inflammation. Aloe taken by mouth can also interact with medicines. If you take prescription medicines, discuss oral aloe with your healthcare provider before using it.46

Aloe taken by mouth may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Ask your healthcare provider before using aloe while pregnant or breastfeeding; do not assume that topical and oral products have the same safety profile.6

Cancer concerns about aloe largely involve ingestion of particular whole leaf extracts, not ordinary application of gel to skin. Animal studies of topical gel did not find a strong link between aloe skincare products, sunlight and skin cancer. If you are receiving radiation therapy, discuss aloe with your treatment team: its benefit for radiation related skin damage remains uncertain.17