Highly praised for its nutrient-rich composition, aloe vera features in the INCI list of many skincare products. The numerous benefits of this plant come from the translucent gel extracted from its leaves. However, its ingestion and topical application are regulated. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, in particular, must exercise caution when using aloe vera gel. More details in this article.
Is aloe vera gel incompatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Summary
Published on January 8, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 4 min of reading
Themes:
Topical application of aloe vera gel during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The topical use of certain plant-based ingredients, such as essential oils, is prohibited during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, this is not the case for aloe vera gel. Its application on the skin, except for the nipples, during these periods is not contraindicated. Therefore, pregnant or breastfeeding women can benefit from its numerous virtues for skin health, particularly to prevent the appearance of stretch marks, which are common during pregnancy.
Aloe vera gel softens the skin and promotes its elasticity. Rich in vitamins, amino acids, and essential minerals for the skin, it helps to reduce signs of skin sagging such as stretch marks. It works by intensifying the activity of fibroblasts, which promotes the production of elastin and collagen. The glucomannan in aloe vera gel indeed stimulates TGF-β1, the growth factor of fibroblasts.
Aloe vera gel possesses healing properties. Its topical application stimulates the regeneration and reconstruction of skin tissues. This makes this botanical active an ally in preventing the appearance of stretch marks, which are often correlated with a sudden stretching of the skin.
A recent study has indeed shown that the topical use of aloe vera gel by pregnant women has helped to limit the progression of purple stretch marks, which often appear between the sixth and seventh month of pregnancy. However, no study to date has been conducted regarding the effect of aloe vera on white stretch marks. It should also be noted that the application of aloe vera gel will never completely remove stretch marks.
It is important to ensure that only the aloe vera gel, a translucent liquid, is used, and not the latex. The latter contains aloin molecules that are potentially allergenic when applied topically.
Ingestion of aloe vera during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If the direct application of aloe vera gel or an aloe vera-based product on the skin poses no risk, this ingredient should not, however, be ingested by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Indeed, aloe vera latex, usually consumed for its laxative power, can potentially cause uterine contractions and lead to a miscarriage.
The same applies during the breastfeeding period, the aloin from aloe vera, which is responsible for its laxative effect, can enter the composition of breast milk and impact the health of the infant. It can then cause diarrhoea or dehydration in the baby. This is particularly why the mother should avoid applying aloe vera gel to her breasts during the breastfeeding period.
Sources
CHUNG J. H. & others. Dietary Aloe vera supplementation enhances facial wrinkles and elasticity and it augments the type I procollagen gene expression in human skin in vivo. Annals of Dermatology (2009).
LOIS C. & co. Formulation of Aloe Juice (Aloe vera (L) Burm.f.) Sheet Mask as Anti-Ageing.Pharmaceutical Technology(2016).
DANIYAL M. & al. Is it safe to consume traditional medicinal plants during pregnancy? Physiotherapy Research (2021).
LI J. & al. Aloe vera: a medicinal plant utilised in skin wound healing. Tissue Engineering (2021).
