Can I use aloe vera on my face every day?

What will daily aloe actually do?

Aloe gel can provide moisture and a cooling, soothing feel. Its sugars help bind moisture in the skin. Treat aloe as an optional moisturizing ingredient rather than a reason to expect a complete change in your complexion. There is no established timetable for daily aloe to clear your face or reduce wrinkles. Aloe's old nickname was "the plant of immortality", which is a fairly ambitious brief for a face gel.34

For acne, aloe gel may help alongside other treatment: two small studies found possible benefits from that combination. That makes aloe an optional addition, not a replacement for prescribed acne treatment. Aloe is also not an established eczema treatment, so do not use daily application as a treatment plan for an unexplained facial rash.2

How should I choose and use it?

Aloe appears in creams, lotions, soaps and facial cleansers, so the word aloe is not much of a set of directions. Choose the product by its purpose: a lotion for daily moisturizing, or a gel for a cooling, soothing application. An aloe cleanser and an aloe lotion are different products, not interchangeable ways to leave aloe on your face.13

1. 1Choose a suitable formula. For a straightforward gel, look for 100% aloe vera where available. Avoid added fragrance, dyes and alcohol if your skin is already sensitive or irritated.
2. 2Check the ingredients before applying. Skip aloe if you have previously developed a rash or another bad reaction to it.
3. 3Use the product for its intended purpose. Aloe lotion can be used for daily moisturizing. If using a plant, slice open a leaf and scoop out the clear inner gel rather than using the whole leaf.

Fresh gel and bottled gel can both be used on skin; fresh does not automatically mean more suitable. The clear inner gel is distinct from the bitter yellow latex near the outer leaf. Whole leaf extracts contain both gel and latex, and the composition of aloe preparations changes with growing conditions, processing and storage.15

When should I stop using aloe?

Stop applying aloe if it causes burning, itching or a rash. Aloe can cause allergic contact dermatitis, an allergic skin rash, and contact urticaria, or hives. Do not keep applying it to soothe a reaction caused by the aloe itself. Avoid topical aloe if you have a known allergy to aloe gel; allergies to lilies or tulips also warrant caution.23

Does daily aloe protect my face from the sun?

Do not replace sunscreen with aloe. Aloe can make mild sunburn feel more comfortable, but it does not undo ultraviolet damage or make a burn disappear overnight. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day. For sunburn with large or painful blisters, pus, severe swelling, fever or dehydration, seek medical care rather than relying on gel.1

What about pregnancy or prescription medicines?

Applying gel and swallowing aloe are different exposures. Skin application is unlikely to cause harm for most people; concerns about intestinal tumors involve swallowed whole leaf preparations, not ordinary facial gel use. Oral aloe may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medicines, check with your healthcare provider before adding aloe as a herbal treatment.26