The skin soother
Pure aloe gel for the skin
The best-supported use. Look for gel with few added ingredients.
Good for: Skin
What variations of aloe vera exist?
A succulent whose clear leaf gel is applied to the skin to soothe minor burns and sunburn. Aloe latex, the yellow layer under the leaf skin, is a harsh laxative when swallowed and isn't recommended. It comes in 3 forms, and they aren't all the same. Here's how they differ.
For education only. What's right for you depends on your health and your medications, so check with your provider before you start or switch. Book a consult
Our top pick
Every form, in plain words
The skin soother
Pure aloe gel for the skin
The best-supported use. Look for gel with few added ingredients.
Good for: Skin
The filtered juice
Decolorized inner leaf juice
Filtered to remove most of the harsh laxative part. Evidence for digestion is limited.
Usually skip
- The harsh laxative (Whole leaf aloe or aloe latex taken by mouth)Can cause cramping and diarrhea. No longer allowed in US over-the-counter laxatives.
Spotting a good one on the shelf
Look for
- Look for 'Pure aloe gel for the skin' on the label (the skin soother)
Watch out for
- Products to swallow that don't say 'decolorized' or 'aloin removed'
- 'Aloe gel' with alcohol, fragrance, or dyes high on the ingredient list
Check with your provider first if…
- Don't take aloe latex or whole leaf aloe by mouth. It can cause cramping, diarrhea, and low potassium.
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding: avoid aloe by mouth
- You take 'water pills', digoxin, or diabetes medicine (aloe by mouth may lower potassium and blood sugar)
- You're allergic to garlic, onions, or tulips, which are related plants
In Dr. Lesher's store
4 products in Dr. Lesher's dispensary have aloe vera. Here's which form, where the label says.
Check with your provider before taking any of these, especially if you're pregnant or take medications.
Patient One MediNutritionals
GastroOne Gut Health Formula
300 mg per serving
Vital Nutrients
Buy on Fullscript GI Repair Powder
Nutritional Fundamentals for Health
GI Repair SAP
300 mg per serving
Codeage
Buy on Fullscript NAD+ Face Cream
Ready to find the root cause?
Dr. Lesher is a Naturopathic Doctor who focuses on autoimmune and chronic conditions in women. Since 2020, she's helped hundreds of patients stop managing symptoms and start healing.