Stratum corneum hydration
Clinical trialFrom 0.25% after one application, and from 0.10% after 2 weeks, stratum corneum hydration increases compared with the vehicle. Water loss does not change: the authors point to a humectant effect3.
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis)
Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) is a succulent plant whose leaf gel, rich in polysaccharides, is used as a hydrating cosmetic ingredient. In a trial on 20 women, a freeze-dried extract at 0.10 to 0.50% increased stratum corneum hydration3. Evidence remains more limited for other uses7.
Aloe vera at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1, safety according to the CIR expert panel2. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACTThe leaf juice is declared as ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE1
- Other names
- Aloe vera, aloeAloe barbadensis Miller, aloe vera leaf gel
- CAS number
- 85507-69-3 / 94349-62-9
- EC number
- 287-390-8 / 305-181-2
- Botanical origin
- Aloe barbadensis MillerLeaf: the inner gel is the part used in cosmetics, not the yellow latex2
- CosIng function
- Humectant, emollient, skin conditioning"Humectant", "Skin conditioning - emollient" and "Skin conditioning" in the European nomenclature1
- Available forms
- Extract, juice, juice powderThree separate entries in CosIng1
- EU status
- No restrictionNot listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) 1223/20091
- Allergen to declare
- No
- Safety
- Judged safe in cosmeticsCIR panel: anthraquinones limited to 50 ppm in the raw material2
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Body skinBodycare
Concentrated gel on UV-exposed skin
Clinical trialAfter a controlled UVB irradiation on the back, the gel significantly reduced redness at 48 hours. A reference cream did better. Single-center study on healthy irradiated skin: it does not describe a finished after-sun product4.
Aloesin: UV-induced dark spots
Clinical trialAfter UV irradiation, aloesin reduced pigmentation by 34%, arbutin by 43.5% and their combination by 63.3% compared with the control. This is an isolated molecule, not an aloe vera gel5.
Reviews and safetySyntheses
A gel rich in polysaccharides
ReviewThe review attributes most of the effects of aloe vera to the polysaccharides in the leaf gel. It also points to the gel's potential to increase the skin penetration of other molecules6.
Controlled trials are still too rare
ReviewControlled trials are still needed to establish the real efficacy of aloe vera in cosmetic science7. A 2021 review notes conflicting results in the literature on acemannan, a gel polysaccharide8.
Anthraquinones: the 50 ppm limit
Expert assessmentThe anthraquinones in the yellow latex of the leaf are phototoxic. The panel considers their level manageable below 50 ppm in cosmetic ingredients, and notes that several clinical studies of Aloe barbadensis preparations showed no phototoxicity. Skin contact reactions have been reported in isolated cases2.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Aloe vera is mostly studied for skin damage: only cosmetic results (hydration, comfort after sun exposure, skin tone) are included here. We did not retain any controlled study on hair.
Concentrations used in studies
The trials cited test a freeze-dried extract at 0.10 to 0.50% and, in the study on irradiated skin, a 97.5% gel. The CIR panel reports raw materials used at 0.1% or less, up to 20% in some products, and their aloe content ranges from 100% to 0.0005%2. The final concentration is set with the formulator, depending on the form (juice, gel, powder) and its aloe content.
Which products use aloe vera?
Our white label catalog includes 51 formulas with aloe vera: the key active in 8 of them, a supporting ingredient in the others. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
16Face
Key active in the gel mask and the ultra-light cream, also found in cleansers, serums and toners.
26Body
Key active in the body gel and the after-sun gel, also found in shower gels, men's, intimate and mom care.
6Hair
Key active in the styling cream and the leave-in, also found in shampoos and conditioners.
3Raw materials and more
In our formulas, it is most often paired with
Panthenol 26Vitamin E 17Argan oil 14Niacinamide 12Allantoin 11Aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid or panthenol?
Four hydrating actives often combined in the same formula. They do not exclude each other.
| Aloe vera | Glycerin | Hyaluronic acid | Panthenol | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main role | Hydration and comfort (humectant)1 | Reference humectant | Surface hydration | Hydration and barrier, hair care |
| Origin | Plant (leaf of the plant) | Plant or synthetic | Biotechnology | Synthetic, provitamin B5 |
| In the formula | Natural material: aloe and anthraquinone content must be controlled2 | Widely used, easy to formulate | Molecular weight changes the feel | Liquid (D-panthenol) or powder (DL-panthenol) |
Frequently asked questions about aloe vera
What is aloe vera in cosmetics?
What are the benefits of aloe vera for skin?
What percentage of aloe vera should a product contain?
The trials cited use 0.10 to 0.50% freeze-dried extract, or a nearly pure gel at 97.5%. The CIR panel reports raw materials at 0.1% or less, sometimes up to 20%2. The level depends on the form (juice, gel, powder) and is set with the formulator.
Aloe vera gel, juice or powder: what is the difference?
CosIng lists three separate materials: the leaf extract, the juice and the juice powder1. The choice is discussed with the lab depending on the target format and the aloe content you want.
Is aloe vera good for hair?
It is found in styling creams and leave-ins in our catalog for hydrating the lengths. We did not retain any controlled study on hair: the trials cited concern skin.
Is aloe vera safe?
In cosmetics, the CIR panel judges these ingredients safe, with anthraquinone content limited to 50 ppm2. Skin contact reactions exist but remain isolated cases2. A whole-leaf extract showed carcinogenic activity in rats and IARC classified it as 2B9; this is why the anthraquinone content of the raw material is controlled. During pregnancy, as with any skincare product, a healthcare professional's advice remains the rule.
Can you manufacture an aloe vera gel for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 51 aloe vera formulas (body gel, after-sun, mask, hair care) that you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
- Peri-procedural skincare: create a white label dermocosmetic lineAn aloe vera aqua-gel cleanser in a post-procedure care range
- Natural vs synthetic cosmetics: pros, cons and trendsAloe vera among the natural hydrating actives
- Top 10 trending cosmetic ingredients in 2026The actives to add to a white label range
Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 2, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT (CAS 85507-69-3 / 94349-62-9, EC 287-390-8 / 305-181-2). ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Final report on the safety assessment of Aloe Andongensis Extract, [...] Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, [...] and Aloe Ferox Leaf Juice Extract. Int J Toxicol. 2007;26 Suppl 2:1-50. doi:10.1080/10915810701351186
- Dal'Belo SE, Gaspar LR, Maia Campos PM. Moisturizing effect of cosmetic formulations containing Aloe vera extract in different concentrations assessed by skin bioengineering techniques. Skin Res Technol. 2006;12(4):241-246. doi:10.1111/j.0909-752X.2006.00155.x
- Reuter J, Jocher A, Stump J, et al. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory potential of Aloe vera gel (97.5%) in the ultraviolet erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2008;21(2):106-110. doi:10.1159/000114871
- Choi S, Lee SK, Kim JE, et al. Aloesin inhibits hyperpigmentation induced by UV radiation. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2002;27(6):513-515. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2230.2002.01120.x
- Hamman JH. Composition and applications of Aloe vera leaf gel. Molecules. 2008;13(8):1599-1616. doi:10.3390/molecules13081599
- Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: a short review. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(4):163-166. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.44785
- Sadgrove NJ, Simmonds MSJ. Pharmacodynamics of Aloe vera and acemannan in therapeutic applications for skin, digestion, and immunomodulation. Phytother Res. 2021;35(12):6572-6584. doi:10.1002/ptr.7242
- Guo X, Mei N. Aloe vera: A review of toxicity and adverse clinical effects. J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev. 2016;34(2):77-96. doi:10.1080/10590501.2016.1166826
Tell us about your project
A product specialist reviews your request and gets back to you on the channel you prefer.
No obligation. Your information stays confidential and is used only to prepare your quote.