Aloe vera gel is widely sold for skin care. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, part of NIH) reviews what research supports. This page summarises its findings. It is general information, not medical advice.
What the research suggests for the skin
- Clinical research suggests aloe gel applied to the skin may speed burn healing and reduce burn-related pain.
- Two small studies suggest aloe gel, used alongside other treatments, may improve acne.
- A small amount of research points to possible benefits for psoriasis, lichen planus, skin damage from radiation therapy and some other conditions.
- NCCIH says there is not enough reliable information on eczema and several other conditions.
Safety on the skin
Aloe gel applied to the skin is generally well tolerated, but there are occasional reports of burning, itching, rash and eczema. If your skin reacts, stop using it.
Taking aloe by mouth is a separate question
- Short-term oral aloe gel (up to 42 days) appears safe in studies.
- Aloe latex taken by mouth can cause abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhoea, and the FDA required its removal from over-the-counter laxatives in 2002.
- Oral leaf extracts have been linked to cases of acute hepatitis.
- Oral aloe may be unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and it can interact with some medicines.
Check with a doctor or pharmacist before using aloe if you take any medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a skin condition you are treating.
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