Supplement encyclopedia

Aloe vera

Name: Aloe vera
Creator: Pillintrip Editorial Team

Written by Pillintrip Editorial Team Updated October 30, 2026

Aloe vera is a plant; inner gel, gel powder, sterols and topical products differ in composition and use.

Recheck the conclusions and examine the sources before choosing a supplement.

Main conclusion

Potential benefits

Specific oral aloe products show a small signal of improved skin barrier function in women. Overall hydration and elasticity did not improve in every comparison; some positive results concern subgroups. Sterol capsules and drinking gel differ. [1] [2]

What was studied

Skin elasticity: 12 weeks; Skin barrier function and hydration: 12 weeks. [1] [2]

How to obtain it from food

Prepared inner gel or an aloe food ingredient is used in drinks, jellies and desserts. Check the label for the gel proportion, whole leaf and added sugar. Home-prepared whole leaf and latex do not replace purified food-grade gel: the outer layer contains laxative anthranoids. Drink volume is not the amount of aloe, and the amount of gel is not the content of the sterols or polysaccharides studied. [1]

Effects and studied questions

Goal or question	Result	Confidence	Studies	Population studied	Key sources
Skin elasticity	Consider only as a preliminary signal for a specific product; improved appearance cannot be promised.There was no overall difference in skin elasticity between groups. Differences in individual measures at week eight were found only in men younger than 46.	2/5	1One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Aloe sterol supplementation improves skin elasticity in Japanese men with sunlight-exposed skin: a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗	48 healthy Japanese men aged 30–59; 47 included in the analysis	Aloe sterol supplementation improves skin elasticity in Japanese men with sunlight-exposed skin: a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗
Skin barrier function and hydration	There is a small signal for the skin barrier in women; an instrument-measured value does not equal a noticeable improvement in appearance.Water loss through the skin was lower at week 12: adjusted difference −0.641 g/(m²·h), 95% CI −1.120 to −0.162. Overall hydration did not differ significantly; the positive hydration difference concerned the subgroup with drier skin.	2/5	1One direct trial described; the count refers to the named publication, not the entire literature.Effects of low-dose Aloe sterol supplementation on skin moisture, collagen score and objective or subjective symptoms: 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗	122 healthy women; inclusion age 30–55 years. 120 started treatment; water loss measured at week 12 in 60 and 57 participants	Effects of low-dose Aloe sterol supplementation on skin moisture, collagen score and objective or subjective symptoms: 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗

The study count refers to the cited source. Reviews with overlapping trials and outcomes from one study are not added together.

Guidance for each goal

Skin elasticity

Confidence2/5

Consider only as a preliminary signal for a specific product; improved appearance cannot be promised.

Study findings. There was no overall difference in skin elasticity between groups. Differences in individual measures at week eight were found only in men younger than 46.

Studied regimenFive tablets per day: 500 mg of powder containing 40 mcg of sterolsTablets containing aloe inner gel powder

Duration and population12 weeks48 healthy Japanese men aged 30–59; 47 included in the analysis

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

Skin barrier function and hydration

Confidence2/5

There is a small signal for the skin barrier in women; an instrument-measured value does not equal a noticeable improvement in appearance.

Study findings. Water loss through the skin was lower at week 12: adjusted difference −0.641 g/(m²·h), 95% CI −1.120 to −0.162. Overall hydration did not differ significantly; the positive hydration difference concerned the subgroup with drier skin.

Studied regimenTwo capsules per day, totaling 19 mcg of sterolsCapsules containing a sterol extract from aloe inner gel

Duration and population12 weeks122 healthy women; inclusion age 30–55 years. 120 started treatment; water loss measured at week 12 in 60 and 57 participants

The confidence scale assesses the reliability of this conclusion, not the probability of an individual result.

How to read the confidence scale 1–5

The rating considers study quality, directness and applicability to the stated group and regimen. It is an editorial scale, not the probability of an individual result.

Safety and limitations

Gel, latex and whole leaf are not interchangeable. Latex can cause cramps, diarrhea, fluid loss and potassium loss. Rare cases of liver injury have been reported with leaf extracts. Oral use is potentially unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding; laxative preparations have additional contraindications. Use with medicines requires checking the ingredients and interactions. Latex can increase the risk of digoxin adverse effects through potassium loss. Oral forms are potentially unsafe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Jaundice, dark urine or severe abdominal pain require stopping use and medical assessment.

Aloes folii succus siccatus — European Union herbal assessment (EMA) ↗ · Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety (NCCIH) ↗

Forms

Inner gel: Processed gel is used in drinks; it differs from latex and whole leaf. Gel powder with sterols: In the trial described: 500 mg of powder and 40 mcg of sterols in five tablets per day. These amounts refer to different components.

Food sources

Aloe Vera: Usefulness and Safety (NCCIH) ↗

Studies

Publication	What was studied	Participants	Form and dose	Result
Aloe sterol supplementation improves skin elasticity in Japanese men with sunlight-exposed skin: a 12-week double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗	Skin elasticity	48 healthy Japanese men aged 30–59; 47 included in the analysis	Tablets containing aloe inner gel powder: Five tablets per day: 500 mg of powder containing 40 mcg of sterols. 12 weeks	There was no overall difference in skin elasticity between groups. Differences in individual measures at week eight were found only in men younger than 46.
Effects of low-dose Aloe sterol supplementation on skin moisture, collagen score and objective or subjective symptoms: 12-week, double-blind, randomized controlled trial ↗	Skin barrier function and hydration	122 healthy women; inclusion age 30–55 years. 120 started treatment; water loss measured at week 12 in 60 and 57 participants	Capsules containing a sterol extract from aloe inner gel: Two capsules per day, totaling 19 mcg of sterols. 12 weeks	Water loss through the skin was lower at week 12: adjusted difference −0.641 g/(m²·h), 95% CI −1.120 to −0.162. Overall hydration did not differ significantly; the positive hydration difference concerned the subgroup with drier skin.