What Is Aloe Vera Gel Good For, and Can You Use It Every Day?

Aloe vera gel and its other forms have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties that allow you to treat health conditions, skin, and hair. Aloe vera gel is generally safe to use every day in many situations.

Aloe vera gel comes from aloe, a widely known plant that has been used for many different purposes. You’ve probably used it to soothe a sunburn, but it has many other uses! 

Aloe vera gel and its other forms have anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties that allow you to treat health conditions, skin, and hair.

Aloe, also known as aloe vera, aloe barbadensis, aloe africana, or aloe arborescens, is a succulent plant commonly found in subtropical climates all over the world. When aloe was discovered, it was used to heal wounds, reduce baldness, and improve skin conditions.

This plant has been used in cultures all over the world for centuries. It’s made up of thick, juicy leaves shaped like triangles with jagged edges, as well as yellow, tube-like flowers and fruits full of seeds. Inside each leaf are three layers:

• The innermost layer is a thick, clear gel made almost entirely of water. It also contains vitamins, sterols, lipids, glucomannans, and amino acids.
• The middle is a layer of yellow, bitter sap known as the latex that is full of glycosides and anthraquinones.
• The outside is the aloe rind. This layer is made of around 20 cells designed to protect the inside of the plant and synthesize proteins and carbohydrates.

Aloe vera contains an impressive 75 active components. This includes:

• Vitamins: Vitamins A (also known as beta-carotene), C, and E, which are also antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. Aloe also has choline, folic acid, and vitamin B12.
• Minerals: Copper, selenium, sodium, potassium, chromium, calcium, magnesium, and manganese. These minerals help a number of enzyme systems to function properly.
• Enzymes: Lipase, cellulase, peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, aliiase, amylase, carboxypeptidase, bradykinase, and catalase. Many of these help break down fats and sugars, and bradykinase works to fight inflammation if put directly on the skin.
• Fatty acids: Campesterol, β-sisosterol, lupeol, and cholesterol. These plant steroids are anti-inflammatory, and lupeol is also analgesic and antiseptic.
• Sugars: Glucose and fructose (monosaccharides) and glucomannans and polymannose (polysaccharides). These offer anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties.
• Anthraquinones (Laxatives): Twelve different laxatives. These act as antivirals, antibacterials, and analgesics.
• Hormones: Gibberellins and auxins. These are anti-inflammatory and help heal wounds.
• Others: Aloe offers 20 of the 22 amino acids that humans use and 7 out of 8 essential amino acids. It contains salicylic acid with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Saponins are found in the gel, and these have antiseptic and cleansing properties.

Aloe can come in a variety of forms depending on what you use it for. You can grow aloe in your home, break leaves directly off the plant, and use the gel. Aloe is commonly found in over-the-counter skincare and cosmetic products, and you can get aloe as tablets, capsules, gel, juice, cream, ointment, or lotion.

Thanks to its impressive benefits, aloe vera has been increasingly present in everyday products, such as:

• Foundation
• Cleanser
• Lipstick
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo
• Shaving cream
• Baby lotion
• Baby wipes
• Fragrances

Generally speaking, aloe vera gel is safe to use topically. If you have sensitive skin, though, you might experience eczema, itching, or burning after using aloe vera gel. 

If you take aloe latex orally, you could experience cramps, abdominal pain, or even acute hepatitis. Please note that consuming the latex or the gel could be unsafe if you’re breastfeeding or pregnant.

Aloe latex, whether it’s been processed or not, can cause cancer, kidney damage, or even death. Discuss with your healthcare provider if you’re interested in taking aloe gel, latex, or extract orally. To be safe, stick to appropriately applying aloe vera gel to your skin or to using it as your healthcare provider directs.

Research shows that aloe vera gel can heal or reduce symptoms of certain conditions:

• Wounds and burns. Putting aloe gel on first-degree burns, second-degree burns, and general non-serious wounds can promote faster healing.
• Acne. You can apply aloe in the morning and at night alongside other topical prescription acne medicines to assist with acne reduction.
• Psoriasis. Cream with aloe extract can reduce itching, inflammation, and redness that comes from psoriasis. It could take time and consistent application for visible improvement of your skin, though.
• Oral lichen planus. This condition causing inflammation inside your mouth can be calmed by regularly applying aloe vera gel for a few months.
• Herpes simplex virus. You can use an aloe cream to help your lesions heal faster.
• Constipation. Historically, taking aloe latex orally was seen as a cure for constipation. It is an effective laxative, but it can also result in stomach cramps and diarrhea. Talk with a healthcare provider before using aloe for constipation.
• Frostbite. If you have mild frostbite, you can use aloe gel to treat the damaged tissue and generate healthy skin faster.
• Cavities. Some research has shown that dental cavities may possibly be prevented by aloe vera gel thanks to its ability to fight bacteria.
• Bug bites. The inflammatory properties in aloe vera help soothe insect bites, and its antipruritic properties help prevent or reduce itching.

Other conditions have traditionally been treated or could, in theory, be treated with aloe, although there isn’t adequate scientific evidence to prove its effectiveness. 

These conditions include:

• Alopecia
• Chronic leg wounds
• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Arthritis
• Parasitic infections
• Tic douloureux

The diversity of vitamins, minerals, and other components in aloe vera gel make it extremely beneficial for a variety of reasons. It:

• Has healing properties for the skin. Aloe increases collagen production, which increases wound healing and makes healed tissue stronger.
• Protects against radiation and UV harm to the skin. Unknown components of aloe vera gel decrease the production and release of harmful elements that damage your skin.
• Fights inflammation. Aloe vera gel contains an anti-inflammatory compound and other components that combat inflammation.
• Boosts immune system. Aloe can stimulate your immune system and prevent the release of certain free radicals.
• Acts as a natural laxative. Aloe vera raises water content in your intestines, increases the secretion of mucus, and aids muscle movement in your gastrointestinal tract.
• Antiviral and antitumor properties. It’s unsure if aloe has a direct or indirect effect here. Aloe helps your immune system (indirect), and it also has a component that fights specific viruses (direct).
• Anti-aging and moisturizing properties. Aloe vera gel helps your skin retain moisture, makes it more elastic, fights wrinkles, softens the skin, tightens the pores, and combats acne.
• Fights bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Aloe vera gel itself isn’t typically dangerous, but when it’s mixed with medicines, supplements, or other substances it can create issues. This gel could react hazardously when mixed with any of the following:

• Furosemide. Combining furosemide and aloe gel could increase your risk of potassium depletion.
• Steroid creams like hydrocortisone. Aloe vera gel on the skin increases its ability to absorb these kinds of creams, which in turn makes it less effective and more likely to have negative effects on the skin.
• A variety of drugs when combined with oral aloe latex. Consult with your doctor if you plan on taking aloe latex and another medication or supplement simultaneously.

It’s safe for children and adults to use aloe gel. Pure aloe vera gel can be applied topically to children with minor skin irritations, but children shouldn’t ever take aloe orally. Adults can use commercially prepared aloe gel or take gel straight from the leaf by cutting it open lengthwise and removing the gel. For adults and children, you should clean the irritated area before applying the gel generously. Aloe vera gel shouldn’t be used on open wounds!

There are versions of aloe vera gel that contain parts of the entire leaf, which includes the latex that can be irritating when used orally. This may or may not increase the toxicity of the gel. Other factors, including how the gel was prepared, harvest time, season, location, and irrigation can increase the toxicity of the gel.

Using plants medicinally is a tried and true method of treating certain conditions and helping your body heal, but you should be cautious. As safe as aloe gel is, there are still many questions about how it reacts with certain conditions, medications, supplements, or herbs. Be in control of your well-being by proactively speaking with your healthcare provider about new approaches to your health, including using aloe vera gel.