What is Aloe Vera?

Aloe Vera is a product derived from the aloe vera plant, commonly used for its skin-soothing and healing properties. It is available in various forms, including gels, creams, and lotions.

How does it work?

Aloe vera (topical) works by reducing inflammation and promoting the healing of skin injuries. It contains compounds that help soothe and hydrate the skin, reducing redness, itching, and pain.

What is the active ingredient or ingredients that make it work?

The active ingredients in aloe vera include aloin, a bitter compound found in the leaves of the aloe vera plant, as well as polysaccharides, which have moisturizing and anti-inflammatory effects.

What forms does it come in?

Aloe Vera comes in various forms, including gels, creams, lotions, and sprays.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Aloe Vera has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, with evidence of its use dating back to ancient Egyptian times.

What does Aloe Vera Topical help with?

Aloe vera is a thick gel from the leaf of a desert plant. People have put it on skin for over 4,000 years, in Egyptian, Ayurvedic, Chinese and Indigenous American healing. This page covers skin use only.

• Healing cuts, surgical wounds and grazes
  Good evidence — human studies in surgical and burn care; sizes and doses not recorded in our file. In surgical and burn studies, wounds dressed with aloe closed faster than with standard dressings alone. Lab work links this to faster work by the skin cells that build collagen and new tissue. Our file does not list the sizes of those trials or the doses used.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Sunburn and small burns
  Good evidence — human burn studies, sizes and doses not recorded in our file. Aloe gel feels cool on the skin right away. In human studies, aloe cut the redness and peeling of burnt skin, and the top skin layer recovered faster than it did on its own. No trial size or dose is kept in our file for this use.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Psoriasis patches
  Good evidence — clinical trials in mild to moderate plaque psoriasis; sizes not recorded in our file. Trials of aloe cream found less scaling and less redness in plaque psoriasis. Some of those trials found it worked about as well as hydrocortisone cream in mild to moderate cases. The trial sizes and doses are not recorded here.
  Evidence grade B · Traditional tier T3
• Cold sores on or near the lip
  Early evidence — small clinical studies of gel applied to the sore; sizes not recorded in our file. In clinical studies, aloe gel showed action against the herpes simplex virus. People who started it at the tingle or blister stage had shorter, milder outbreaks. These studies were small, and our file does not hold their sizes.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Flaky, greasy, itchy scalp or face rash (seborrheic dermatitis)
  Early evidence — one clinical trial, size not recorded in our file. One clinical trial found less scaling, less itch and fewer greasy patches with aloe. Lab studies show aloe slows the yeast thought to help drive this rash. One trial is a start, not a settled answer.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Sore, peeling skin during radiation therapy
  Early evidence — early human studies in people having radiation; findings hedged, sizes not recorded. Radiation often leaves the treated skin sore and peeling. Aloe gel has been studied as a soothing gel in this setting, with some signs of less discomfort. The work is early, and our file holds no trial sizes or doses.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Dry or easily irritated skin
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — gel make-up and general skin science; no human trial on file. Aloe gel is about 99% water. It is known to act as a humectant, which means it pulls water into skin and holds it there. That is general skin science, not a trial of this gel, and no such trial is on file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Eczema flares
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — lab work on aloe's calming compounds, plus long traditional use; no human trial on file. In lab studies, aloe compounds slowed the redness response in skin. Whether that eases eczema in people has not been tested in any trial we hold. Aloe has not been shown to cure eczema.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Acne and oily skin
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — lab work on aloe compounds; no human acne trial on file. Aloe holds compounds that act somewhat like salicylic acid, which loosens clogged pores. In lab tests, aloe also slowed bacteria linked to acne. No human acne trial is on file, so the effect on real breakouts is unknown.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3

What Aloe Vera Topical has not been shown to do

• Aloe has not been shown to cure eczema; flares can still come back.
• Aloe has not been shown to clear severe or thick psoriasis plaques.
• Aloe has not been shown to stop cold sore outbreaks from starting.
• The burn studies on file cover sunburn and minor burns, not deep or large burns.
• Nothing on this page speaks to drinking aloe or taking it by mouth.

How to read this:

Each grade covers one use, not the whole plant. A means many matching human trials agree. B means at least one good human trial. C means small or early human work. D means weak or mixed human work. Insufficient means no human study we hold. This page lists options, not advice. It is not a stand-in for care from your own clinician.

What can it help prevent?

• Scarring
• Wrinkles
• Age spots
• Uneven skin tone
• Inflammation
• Irritation
• Itching
• Redness

Which foods are rich in it?

Aloe Vera is not a food, but it can be found in various topical skincare products.

What are possible side effects?

Common side effects of Aloe Vera (topical) include:

• Skin redness
• Itching
• Burning
• Rash

Mild side effects:

• Skin irritation

Moderate side effects:

• Skin blisters
• Allergic reactions

Severe side effects:

• Systemic reactions
• Anaphylaxis

What's the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of Aloe Vera (topical) varies depending on the product and the skin condition being treated. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and consult with a healthcare provider before use.

How many days does it take to work?

The number of days it takes for Aloe Vera (topical) to work varies depending on the severity of the skin condition being treated. Generally, it can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for noticeable improvement.

What time of day is best to take it?

Aloe Vera (topical) does not have to be taken at a specific time of day, but it is best applied to the skin as needed or as directed by a healthcare provider.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Aloe Vera (topical) does not need to be taken with or without food as it is applied topically to the skin.