Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 4/29/2009

Question
Is a cream containg VITAMIN E AND ALOE VERA useful in dry skin I have a psoriasis and dr has suggested me to moisturise the skin.

Answer
Hi Tiwari,
Both Vit E and Aloe Vera are promoted for skin care. Hoever there are very few studies showing their efficacy.
A well conducted doublind trial done in Denmark concluded that "The effect of this commercial Aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not better than placebo."
Coming to Vitamin E, a review of 44 years of clinical research on votamin E by canadian scientists consluded that "There was some weak or conflicting evidence that vitamin E is of value in yellow nail syndrome, vibration disease, epidermolysis bullosa, cancer prevention, claudication, cutaneous ulcers, and collagen synthesis and wound healing. It was of no use in atopic dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis, subcorneal pustular dermatosis, porphyrias and skin damage induced by ultraviolet light.After 44 years of research there is still scant proof of vitamin E's effectiveness in treating certain dermatologic conditions."

In the light of above findings I cannot recommend the use of such products for psoriasis.
Ravi Ghooi