Aloe Vera Gel Test: Warning! Brands could cause cancer

Öko-Test took a close look at various gels with aloe vera.

A questionable substance was also discovered: This can increase the risk of developing cancer.

• Öko-Test * has examined aloe vera gels.

• In

  testing

  a substance of concern has been discovered.

• This is said to

  favor

  cancer

  in humans.

Kassel - A plant with many areas of application:

.

The desert plant is considered a miracle cure for health - the skin in particular should benefit from it.

Whether sunburn, insect bites or cuts: The aloe vera gel promises a healing, cooling effect.

Accordingly, cosmetic products as well as food and medicines advertise the healing power of the plant.

then

checked 19 products in a test.

Often a concentration of the leaf juice of up to 100 percent is advertised.

In many cases, creams and lotions only contain a small dose.

Aloe vera gel at Öko-Test: Eleven products do very well

Eleven products in the

received the top rating of “very good”.

The experts at Öko-Test can recommend three aloe vera gels with “good”.

However, the consumer magazine came to a terrifying result with two products.

During the

, formaldehyde / apst age could be detected in these products in the laboratory.

Even in small quantities, it is said to irritate the mucous membranes and trigger allergies.

In the meantime it has become known that the substance can "

" - it has therefore been banned in cosmetic products.

Aloe vera gel at Öko-Test: Two products in the test contain questionable substances that promote cancer

Formaldehyde has been used for a long time and was originally used to make products durable.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, the substance was

classified

as “can

”

in June 2014 based on new findings

.

Substances that

cause

or increase the incidence of cancer are classified as carcinogenic.

As reported by the Federal Environment Agency, rats that repeatedly inhaled high concentrations of formaldehyde have developed tumors in the nasal cavity in the course of their lives.

A total of 11 of the 19 aloe vera gels tested received an Öko-Test rating of “very good”.

Among other things, certified as natural cosmetics such as the Arya Laya Aloe Vera Gel (promotional link):

• Alterra Oil-Free Aloe Vera Gel, Rossmann

• Arya Laya Aloe Vera Gel, MEG Gottlieb (health food store) 

• Bergland Aloe Vera Gel, Bergland-Pharma

• Farfalla Aloe Vera Moisture All-Over Gel, Farfalla

• Santaverde pure aloe vera gel without fragrance, Santaverde

But even with aloe vera gels that are not certified as natural cosmetics, some products have achieved the test rating "very good".

• Hübner Aloe Vera Gel, Anton Huebner

• Isana Hydro Care Gel Aloe Vera 90%, Rossmann

• Jean & Len 100% Aloe Vera Gel, Junglück

The complete list with the exact test results is available from Öko-Test (for a fee).

Hazardous substances found in aloe vera gel: Can cause cancer

However, this does not apply to formaldehyde releasers.

Here formaldehyde is only contained in bound form and is only released over time.

Formaldehyde release agents are still permitted as preservatives.

However, the spin-offs are not

on the list of ingredients

for either of the two products in the

.

Dangerous fragrance found in aloe vera gel in a test: reproduction can be damaged

The source of the formaldehyde remains unclear.

But that's not all: one of the two

contains questionable fragrances.

One is the synthetic fragrance Lilial.

According to an

this has proven to

be reproductive harm in an animal experiment.

But Galaxolid, an artificially produced musk scent, was also discovered.

The fragrance should accumulate in the fatty tissue and distribute itself almost everywhere in the environment, including rivers.

+

Aloe vera gel at Öko-Test: two products with carcinogenic substances.

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© SWR - The first

Aloe vera gel at Öko-Test: Misleading product description on various products

Almost all providers in the

advertise the aloe vera content in their products.

However, according to the

misleading for consumers.

For example, the gel from dm's own brand “Balea” with 90 percent

costs

1.95 euros (200 milliliters).

The gel from the “Santaverde” brand, on the other hand, costs 37.98 euros for what appears to be the same concentration and quantity.

On the other hand, “Jean & Len” advertises their product with a 100 percent aloe vera concentration.

However, the active ingredient is only in sixth position on the list of ingredients.

This can be related to processing, among other things.

The “Santaverde” brand is one of the few manufacturers in the

who process the

pulp of

the aloe vera plant into a not-from-concentrate juice and mix it into the gel.

Because the juice still needs to be preserved, the company cannot increase concentration.

Aloe vera gel at Öko-Test: Powder extract is often used

Manufacturers of the products in the

often use a powder concentrate.

To do this, the juice from the pulp of the plant is heated in several steps and then freeze or spray-dried.

This is easier to process and carries fewer risks when it comes to preserving the aloe vera leaves.

The powder can later be diluted back in the gel or overconcentrated.

For example, the gel from "Jean & Len" was overconcentrated.

Accordingly, a high

content does not automatically mean a high density of active substances.

Öko-Test: Declaration of aloe vera gel unreliable

Customers cannot rely

on the labels on the article packaging in the

.

Half of the manufacturers advertise the juice of the plant: "Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice".

When asked

by

, they stated that they were using powder extract.

Overall, aloe vera gels are particularly suitable for travel.

They cool light sunburns and soothe mosquito bites.

A high concentration does not necessarily mean a high density of active substances.

That depends above all on the quality of the raw materials.

Cancer from aloe vera: do not process the leaves yourself

advises

not to process the aloe vera leaves yourself.

Aloin, which is suspected of causing

is hidden under the leaf peel

.

But that's not a problem in cosmetic products.

The inside of the aloe vera has to be peeled out and freed from aloin residues.

Cancer from milk *?

Milk is one of the most controversial foods of all.

Experts and nutritionists are therefore now warning against cancer.

The Federal Institute for Risk (BfR) also expresses itself.

Cancer from food *: Eating healthy food can lower the risk of cancer.

Stiftung Warentest gives tips on healthy eating.

List of rubric lists: © SWR - Das Erste