Aloe Vera flames in The Ringer are clickbait, not science journalism

The problem is not the aloe plant, but the snake oil marketed with aloe plants on the label. This is a bit like saying “Calcium is a hoax! Many foods that say they are good for bones, you’d have to eat tons of to benefit!” Well, yes…but, that labelling hardly makes calcium for osteoporosis a hoax.

Aloe from a cut leaf still works on a burn. It’s a physical barrier from air and a humectant. As a result, it prevents some pain, just as any humectant barrier would, but it has sticky properties that give it physical advantages over oil soluble ointments, and comes in a decorative package that maintains a fresh supply with very low maintenance, and no refrigeration for years.

Besides that, though, I love it when clickbait skeptical journalism ascribes sociopathic motives to innocent consumers who haven’t gotten the memo on a questionable product. This is your first clue that their piece needs consistency checking, and was going for your gut not your brain.

Perhaps your mistake, Claire, is buying dilute crap on the market, rather than a $2.50 houseplant and watering it once a week on your kitchen window sill? Mucilaginous plants provide an air seal for minor burns, which is a proven first aid assist to healing.

I use it at 100%, and amortized over a couple years, I expect that $2.50 counts as free as a capital expense. Decorative, too.

I avoid the sun, and you should too. I use non-PABA sunblocks. They have good science. My aloe plant provides enough 100% aloe mucilage seal, which is not in question as a soothing barrier for minor burns, for kitchen accidents and soldering and whatnot for my maker-oriented household.

Moderation in all things. Including outrage. Maybe especially outrage for money and clicks. It’s not pro-science, it’s pro-”personal branding,” or something.