Is aloe vera good for your skin?

What is aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a green, cactus-like plant that belongs to the lily family. Renowned since ancient times for its medicinal uses, it thrives in hot, dry climates, and is cultivated in subtropical regions across the globe. With its long, thick, juicy leaves, containing gel-like, water-filled tissue, it has a host of health-promoting nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.

It is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties, powerful effects on skin health and success in treating various ailments. While you can extract the gel directly from the plant, shop-bought aloe vera products are also widely available.

There are a long list of aloe vera-based options to choose from:

• Raw: Raw aloe vera is extracted directly from the gel inside the plant.

• Ointment, gels and lotions: These are for external use and may include additional ingredients.

• Skincare products: Many moisturisers, cleansers or shampoos contain aloe vera. They may also include additional ingredients for a pleasant smell or to extend their shelf life.

• Supplements: These are usually found in capsule or powder form.

• Drinks: Aloe vera juice is made from the gel inside the leaves - it's often diluted with water or fruit juice to improve the taste.

Dr Hannah Kopelman is a dermatologist specialising in skincare and hair loss. She is also host of the Derm Club podcast.

She says: "One of the primary benefits of aloe vera is its ability to hydrate the skin without leaving it greasy, making it suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin. It contains polysaccharides that help retain moisture in the skin, as well as antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and E, which protect the skin from free radical damage and support the skin's natural healing processes."

How is aloe vera good for your skin?

Although it's made of 99% water, aloe vera is rich in skin-boosting ingredients¹:

Vitamins and minerals

Aloe vera contains vitamins like A, C, and E that help fight off damage in your body, along with other vitamins like B12, folic acid, and choline. It also has minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

Sugars

The simple sugars in aloe vera (fructose and glucose) boost cell energy, while the complex sugars (glucomannans/polymannose) help hydrate your skin.

Enzymes

Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions in your body. The enzymes in aloe vera help calm irritated skin.

Saponins

Saponins act like natural soap, keeping things clean and germ-free.

Fatty acids

Aloe vera is a source of healthy fats (cholesterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol, lupeol) that have inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Lignin

This is a molecule that helps creams and lotions deliver their ingredients deeper into your skin.

Auxins and gibberellins

These plant hormones can speed up wound healing and soothe irritation.

Salicylic acid

Aloe vera contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

Aloe vera's rich mix of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes makes it a powerful topical treatment for skin health. Its main benefits include:

Inflammation relief

Aloe vera, with its natural anti-inflammatory properties, may help soothe inflammation from skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It can also help calm red and inflamed acne.

Healing support

For minor wounds like cuts, scrapes, and burns, aloe vera can speed up the healing process. This is because it helps new skin cells grow faster and soothes inflammation.

According to Kopelman, aloe vera can assist in wound healing and minimise the appearance of scars.

She says: "Its growth hormones - gibberellins, and polysaccharides - stimulate the growth of new cells. This helps in the repair of damaged skin and speeds up the healing process."

Skin elasticity

Aloe vera hydrates dry skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles by encouraging collagen and elastin production. It also helps your skin to shed dead cells, which makes your skin feel smoother.

"Regular use of aloe vera can also help improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, thanks to its ability to boost collagen production and improve skin elasticity," Kopelman explains. "It is also effective in soothing irritated or inflamed skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent remedy for conditions like sunburn, acne and eczema."

Germ fighting

Aloe vera can also fight off infections caused by fungus, bacteria, and viruses.

Is raw aloe vera good for your skin?

Due to its higher nutrient content, some people choose to grow aloe vera plants at home, using the fresh gel directly from the plant's leaves. However, if you're thinking of harvesting your own aloe vera, it's important to be aware of possible skin reactions when applying it directly from the plant.

Skin irritation

If you have sensitive skin - or any existing skin conditions - aloe vera may cause redness, burning or stinging.

Allergic reaction

Some people may experience an allergic reaction to aloe vera. If you develop itching, burning, or swelling after application, stop using it immediately.

It's recommended to perform a patch test before applying raw aloe vera to your face. Put a small amount on your wrist or inner arm and wait 24 hours. If there are no signs of irritation, it's likely safe to use on your face.

Is drinking aloe vera good for your skin?

Drinking aloe vera offers fewer health advantages than applying it to your skin. Though oral consumption of aloe vera is linked with various wellness benefits, strong scientific evidence is still developing. Studies suggest aloe vera may be effective in fighting inflammation and that it may improve heart health, aid digestion, and maintain healthy blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and weight².

However, several studies state that taking aloe vera juice orally may have harmful side effects on your body³ such as:

• Nausea.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhoea.

• Tummy pains.

• Liver inflammation (hepatitis).

• Constipation.

The laxative effects of aloe vera can also flush out electrolytes, like potassium, which are important for your body's functions.

Although aloe vera juice boasts potential health benefits, research on its safety for drinking is limited. Given the wealth of studies supporting its topical use, it's best to only apply aloe vera directly onto your skin. This might be a safer option until more conclusive research on oral consumption is available.

Further reading

1. Surjushe et al: Aloe Vera: A Short Review

2. Hęś et al: Aloe vera (L.) Webb.: Natural Sources of Antioxidants – A Review