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Aloe Vera Benefits
This plant-based remedy contains chemicals that reduce swelling in the skin, relieve redness and scaling, soothe itchy skin, and promote the growth of new skin cells. These properties make aloe vera useful for treating skin conditions such as:
- Acne
- Cold sores (herpes)
- Cuts and scrapes
- Insect bites and stings
- Minor burns and sunburn
- Psoriasis
When taken by mouth, aloe vera may help lower cholesterol and blood sugar and ease heartburn.
Aloe vera for acne
Pimples form when oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria clog up hair follicles, which then get inflamed and form small bumps. Aloe vera has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that might help with acne, but there hasn’t been enough research to confirm that it works. In one of the few studies that exist, the combination of aloe vera gel and the acne medicine tretinoin improved breakouts more than tretinoin alone, and with fewer side effects.
Aloe vera for burns
Aloe vera’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects make it useful for treating burns. Applying a layer of aloe vera to minor burns and sunburned skin might help the skin heal faster, and reduce redness, itching, and pain, research finds. Aloe also helps prevent burns from getting infected.
Aloe vera gel feels soothing on sunburned skin. It moisturizes while it heals, which may prevent you from peeling as much.
Aloe vera and cholesterol
Aloe vera for constipation
Aloe vera juice and aloe latex are promoted as a treatment for constipation. Aloe contains substances (such as barbaloin) that act as laxatives. Barbaloin increases the amount of water in the intestine, which could make poop easier to pass and help digested foods move more easily through the intestines.
Aloe juice and latex used to be in over-the-counter constipation drugs. But because aloe can cause painful cramps and other side effects, the FDA does not consider it safe to use as a laxative.
Medical Uses of Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant has long, thick triangular leaves and is relatively easy to grow. The thick outer layer consists of the rind, and the middle layer consists of a bitter, yellow sap. At the center is a gel that can be applied directly to the skin.
In traditional and folk medicines, aloe vera has been used internally and externally to treat a wide range of unrelated medical conditions. Today, there are aloe vera supplements, juices, and skin or hair care products that are thought to have therapeutic effects.
Here is what some of the current research says about the possible health benefits of aloe vera:
Wound Healing
Aloe vera gel applied to the skin is thought to promote wound healing, including injuries like:
- Sunburn
- Thermal burns
- Frostbite
- Surgical wounds
- Skin ulcers
- Mouth ulcers
- Bedsores
A 2019 review of studies concluded that aloe vera was more effective than petroleum jelly, framycetin antibiotic cream, and silver sulfadiazine 1% ointment in healing a wide variety of wounds, including burns, surgical wounds, and pressure sores. It also appeared to reduce pain while healing, in part by keeping scar tissues well-hydrated and flexible.
Laboratory studies suggest that aloe vera promotes healing by accelerating new skin cell growth. The gel also has potent anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce swelling and redness.
Even so, there is not enough evidence to recommend aloe vera as an effective treatment for psoriasis or eczema. There is also no evidence that aloe vera can speed the healing of cold sores or genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Skin Health and Aging
While some people promote aloe vera as anti-aging, there is little evidence that aloe vera in any form can reverse the signs of aging on a cellular level. However, it does have definite benefits for the overall health of aging skin.
Summary
There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of aloe vera in any form. As a general rule, follow the manufacturer's guidelines and avoid the internal use of whole-leaf aloe vera extract or aloe vera latex which can be toxic to the liver and kidneys.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Dat A, Poon F, Pham K, et al. Aloe vera for treating acute and chronic wounds.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012,(2):CD008762. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008762.pub2.
- Haddad P, Amouzgar-Hashemi F, Samsami S, et al. Aloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: a self-controlled clinical trial.Curr Oncol. 2013,20(4):e345-8. doi:10.3747/co.20.1356
- Heggie S, Bryant G, Tripcony L, et al. A Phase III Study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on Irradiated breast tissue.Cancer Nurs. 2002,25(6):442-51.
- Langmead L, Feakins R, Goldthorpe S, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral aloe vera gel for active ulcerative colitis.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2004,19(7):739-747. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2004.01902.x.
- Paulsen E, Korsholm L, Brandrup F. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of a commercial aloe vera gel in the treatment of slight to moderate psoriasis vulgaris.J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005:19(3):326-331. doi:10.1111/j.1468-3083.2004.01186.x.
- Suksomboon N, Poolsup N, Punthanitisarn S, et al. Effect of Aloe vera on glycaemic control in prediabetes and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta‐analysis.J Clin Pharm Ther. 2016,41(2):180-188. doi:10.1111/jcpt.12382
- Zhang Y, Liu W, Liu D, et al. Efficacy of aloe vera supplementation on prediabetes and early non-treated diabetic patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Nutrients. 2016,8(7):388. doi:10.3390/nu8070388
How Much Aloe Vera Should You Use?
Aloe vera creams, gels, and liquids contain different amounts. Some creams for minor burns have just 0.5% aloe vera. Others used for psoriasis may contain as much as 100% aloe vera. Oral supplements have no set dose.
The suggested amount to use varies by the product:
- Leaf gel cap: 50 to 200 milligrams/day
- Liquid: 30 milliliter
- Tincture: 15 to 60 drops a day mixed with juice or water
- Topical: Apply three to five times a day
High oral doses of aloe vera extract or aloe vera latex can be dangerous. People who take 1 gram a day of aloe latex for several days are at risk for severe kidney damage and death.
These are not official doses. Ask your doctor for advice on how to use aloe vera and how much to take.
How to Use Aloe Vera
How to Apply to the Skin
Here is how to use fresh aloe vera for skin conditions:
- Snip one of the leaves close to the bottom of the plant.
- Put the cut side down in a glass to allow the latex to drain for about 10 minutes and discard it.
- Remove the leaf spikes and use a vegetable peeler to get to the clear gel inside.
- Scoop out the gel and store it in a clean, sealable container in the fridge for up to two weeks.
- Place a small amount of gel on your fingertips and gently work it in with circular motions.
- If using it as a facial cleanser, rinse with cool water and gently pat your skin dry.
- If using it as a facial moisturizer, gently spread a thin layer of gel onto the skin and allow it to dry.
How to Take by Mouth
Commercial preparations are generally safer because the dose is controlled. Even so, you can make aloe vera juice by following these steps:
- Snip a leaf close to the bottom of the plant and wash thoroughly with water.
- Cut the leaf into 1-inch cubes.
- Squeeze the gel from the cubes. Discard the skin.
- Place the gel in a blender with 6 cups of filtered or distilled water.
- Blend thoroughly.
- Strain the juice and add sweetener and lemon if desired.
Some studies suggest that doses of up to 90 milliliters (3 fluid ounces) daily are well tolerated and safe.
Consumer Safety
