Aloe Vera is very well known for its scientifically proven skin benefits (including visible wrinkle reduction after 90 days – when taken internally)
But:
Is Aloe gel effective for anything more than sunburn relief when used on your face?
Many people I know apply Aloe Vera on their faces overnight – every night.
After discovering the amazing benefits of using Aloe overnight for your skin complexion, I was convinced to try this simple routine myself.
After about a week, I was hooked.
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In this post, you’ll discover why I still do it every night (the awesome benefits), and whether it’s safe to use Aloe as an overnight facial mask for all skin types.
Not all aloe gels work the same on facial skin.
Here’s how I choose:
- For overnight facial use: pure, inner-fillet aloe (low aloin, no fragrance)
- For acne-prone skin: aloe gel without alcohol or preservatives
- If you don’t have the plant: a clean, organic aloe gel is the next best option
👉 I link the exact aloe gel I personally use further down.
Page Contents
Can I Leave Aloe Vera on My Face Overnight?
Aloe Vera is a medicinal plant and is widely used in the cosmetic industry as a base material for skincare products (such as facial and body cleansing, anti-aging creams, deodorants, scrubs, and more).
If you are not sensitive to Aloe Vera, leaving it on your face overnight is generally low-risk.
Is It Safe for Sensitive Skin?
According to Mayo Clinic – “Aloe gel is generally considered safe when appropriately applied to the skin.”
Bottom line
To be on the safe side, I tried it first on a small patch of my skin (on my chin, to be exact) – and when I woke up with no side effects, I knew I could use it safely on my face.
I have been using it for over 2 weeks with no problems, and I always wash it off in the morning with my organic facial cleanser.
I recommend allowing the gel to dry on your face before you hit the pillow to avoid stains.
This only applies to the real, hand-extracted Aloe gel or the best alternative – pure, hand-picked Aloe Vera gel.
5 Benefits of Aloe Vera on Your Face Overnight
Aloe Vera gel (but only 100% pure and hand-picked) is proven to help with minor wounds and inflammatory skin conditions such as acne (pimples/spots).
It has also been studied for its ability to support the healing of burns, bruises, and abrasions faster (studies at the end of the post).
1. Moisturizer for Oily Skin
I stopped using the overhyped facial moisturizers on the market years ago.
I usually use a small batch of Castor oil & coconut oil as my day cream, and I love what it’s done for my face.
And now I’ve found the perfect night cream/facial mask to improve skin firmness and elasticity– Aloe Vera Gel.
The aloe gel is especially fit for people with oily skin because it effectively clears up extra oil without drying out your skin.
When I wash off my face in the morning, my skin feels smooth, hydrated, and clean. Sometimes, I skip my day cream altogether because of this.
If your skin feels heavy or greasy with most night creams, aloe is one of the lightest overnight options to try.
👉 This is the aloe gel I use when I want something simple and non-comedogenic.
How to use Aloe as a Moisturizer – add a few drops of pure, cold-pressed castor oil to your Aloe gel and apply it to your face. Leave overnight.
Don’t forget to learn how to use Aloe Vera for wrinkles and skin sagging!
2. Acne Treatment
I wouldn’t say that I suffer from chronic adult acne, but pimples do pop up now and then.
I usually ignore them and try to hide them with some makeup, but after I started using the Aloe gel, I noticed they disappeared much faster.
One even disappeared overnight.
Last week, I enjoyed clear skin with no blemishes, redness, or irritation.
This may be related to Aloe Vera’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, which can help calm irritated skin and support clearer-looking skin during breakouts.
Tip: For acne-prone skin, the quality of the aloe gel matters more than the quantity. I only use low-aloin aloe to avoid irritation.
If you have post-acne marks or uneven tone, Aloe Vera may help improve the appearance of your skin over time by supporting hydration and natural skin repair.
I would also recommend combining it with red light therapy.
How to Use Aloe Vera for Acne – add 3 drops of Tea Tree Oil to your Aloe gel and gently apply to your face.
Why Tea Tree Oil? See the incredible benefits of Tea Tree Oil for acne and the skin!
3. Gentle Exfoliation
When I wash my face in the morning, I always notice how clean my skin looks.
The Aloe gel rubs off all the dead cells – but in a much gentler way than the average facial scrub.
It doesn’t leave the skin feeling bruised or dry in the morning.
How to use Aloe gel to exfoliate your skin – When Aloe Vera dries on the skin and is rinsed off, it can help lift away loose dead skin cells in a very mild, non-abrasive way.
4. Pigmentation Reduction and Skin Lightening
Since I started using aloe gel overnight, I noticed a healthier glow on my skin in the morning.
I’ve heard about many people who managed to brighten their skin with Aloe, especially people with hyperpigmentation.
I could be imagining it, but it seems to me that my countless freckles are a bit less noticeable.
This may be related to compounds in Aloe Vera, such as aloesin, which have been studied for their potential to help reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation over time.
So, if you’re dealing with dark spots or uneven skin tone, Aloe Vera may help fade their appearance gradually when used consistently.
5. Dark Circle Removal
Aloe Vera gel contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory components, pigmentation-preventing properties, and vitamin E.
These properties may help soothe the under-eye area and reduce the appearance of puffiness caused by dehydration or irritation.
Some people find Aloe Vera helpful for temporary under-eye puffiness, mainly due to its cooling and hydrating effect.
Quick note:
If you’re mainly interested in overnight use, keep reading – I break down exactly how I apply aloe before bed below.
If you’re using aloe daily, the same safety rules still apply.
How to Use Aloe Vera Gel On the Face Overnight
The best option would be to use the actual plant.
Here’s how to use it:
- Apply a thin and even layer of fresh Aloe Vera gel on your face and neck (1–2 mL for full face/neck). Wait a few minutes for it to dry. Aloe forms a light film and can feel tight as it dries. If it starts to crackle, you’ve used too much.
- Leave it on your skin overnight. Clear, store-bought gel generally doesn’t stain. Fresh leaf latex (the yellow sap) can – use a towell on your pillow.
- Wash your face in the morning.
Don’t know how to extract the gel from the Aloe leaf? Here’s a short video demonstration:
What If You Don’t Have the Plant?
First, it’s quite easy to get a real Aloe plant. You can even order it online.
What I use instead:
A pure, inner-fillet aloe gel with low aloin, no fragrance, and proper preservation.
👉 See the aloe gel I use for overnight Aloe facials.
Or this one:
I chose this gel because it’s inner-fillet, decolorized (low-aloin) aloe in a clean, properly preserved formula and opaque, date-stamped packaging – a combo that’s generally well-tolerated for overnight use (still patch-test if you’re sensitive).
What About Using Aloe vera on Your Face Every Day?
Everything you’ve read in this post about applying Aloe overnight applies to using it every day, during the day.
You can safely use Aloe every day as a daily moisturizer, skin brightener, acne spot and blemish treatment, sunburn treatment, soothing irritated skin, and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Does Aloe Vera Darken the Skin?
Aloe Vera can not darken the skin. If anything, there’s a chance Aloe can slightly lighten your skin.
Certain chemicals inside aloe vera (aloin and aloesin) can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation by damaging existing melanin cells and preventing the further production of melanin.
To your health and happiness,
Meital
Studies
Jaclyn M. Forest and Naser Rafikhah, 2014. Aloe vera Juice and Acne Vulgaris: A Placebo-Controlled Study. Asian Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 6: 29-34. 10.3923/ajcn.2014.29.34
Hekmatpou D, Mehrabi F, Rahzani K, Aminiyan A. The Effect of Aloe Vera Clinical Trials on Prevention and Healing of Skin Wound: A Systematic Review. Iran J Med Sci. 2019;44(1):1–9.
Surjushe A, Vasani R, Saple DG. Aloe vera: a short review. Indian J Dermatol. 2008;53(4):163–166.
Ali SA, Galgut JM, Choudhary RK. On the novel action of melanolysis by a leaf extract of Aloe vera and its active ingredient aloin, potent skin depigmenting agents. Planta Med. 2012 May;78(8):767-71. 22495441.
It’s great especially when it’s cold , you get that tingling cold feeling at first and then a fresh soft feeling when face is washed. Ps … Try it for 7days to see some results be sure to do it twice a day and leave overnight at night time .
I had to comment o this subject as i used Aloe Vera once on my face and ended up having red hot face, like it was burnt. I had to rush to A@E where i was given some tablets to take as they told me i had a bad reaction to it, Please be careful everyone, try a little test area first.
I add a small dollop of fresh clear Aloe Vera gel from the leaf to my daily smoothie. I use the wet inner leaf to rub on my face and the backs of my hands.
Castor Oil applied to the skin has many positive uses for healing including old scars and bruises. A side effect of castor oil applied to the skin long-term is that it can grow hair. As a female, I don’t want more facial hair growth. I apply it to my tired aching hands before bed.
Great article Meital. Aloe vera is definitely the best natural remedy for skin. There are numerous healthy benefits of aloe vera for your skin.
Great information on benefits of aloe vera on face overnight. Simple yet an effective way to explain the whole thing.
I have been using Aloe Vera for over a year and I have always seen amazing and significant changes to my skin that I love! I will forever use Aloe lol. Thank You for the info!