Aloe Vera

Gel or latex: what does an aloe vera leaf contain?

An aloe vera leaf is made up of three parts, which have neither the same composition nor the same uses:

Aloe vera juice, drinking gel and cosmetics

For food use, only the inner gel is sought. The leaves are peeled to remove the rind and latex, then the pulp is crushed. This gives a fluid aloe vera juice, or a thicker drinking gel, sometimes thickened with xanthan gum.

In cosmetics, aloe leaf juice (Aloe barbadensis leaf juice in the INCI list) is used in gels, creams, after-sun lotions, shampoos and toothpastes.

Aloe vera benefits: what do we really know?

Researchers are mainly interested in the polysaccharides of the gel, particularly acemannan, in their stability depending on manufacturing processes and in the difference in composition between the gel and the latex. As regards the latter, since 2021 European regulations have prohibited the use in foods of aloe leaf preparations containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives, such as aloin.

To date, no health claim relating to aloe vera is authorised in the European Union. This research therefore does not allow any particular effect to be attributed to aloe vera or to a product containing it. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, ask your doctor for advice.

How to choose an aloe vera juice or gel?

Our aloe vera products

Here are four products in which aloe is the main ingredient. Find all our products containing aloe vera in the list above: sparkling juice, creams, gels, shampoos, toothpaste…