Radiation dermatitis
Supplements studied for radiation dermatitis.
Overview
Aloe (9 studies) is the most studied topical supplement for radiation dermatitis, with mixed results—some trials show delayed or reduced skin irritation, while others find no benefit. Boron gel (2 studies) applied before radiation may substantially reduce peeling and sores in breast cancer patients.
Melatonin cream (3 studies) and Milk Thistle cream (2 studies) have unclear but potentially helpful early signals. Topical Vitamin C (1 study) did not prevent dermatitis. See the heatmap and evidence reviews below for trial comparisons.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
7 supplements for and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
BoronView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Applying a gel with 3% sodium pentaborate pentahydrate to the skin before radiation treatment may greatly reduce skin problems like peeling and sores in breast cancer patients.
- One study showed it cuts the risk of skin damage by half compared to using regular petroleum jelly.
- A larger study found even stronger protection when the gel was used before each radiation session, greatly lowering skin irritation and peeling.
- The gel was easy to use and helped protect the skin effectively.
- This product could be a helpful way to prevent painful skin side effects during breast cancer radiation therapy.
Browse 2 studies
RCTThe Preventive Effects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation Dermatitis in Patients Being Treated for Breast Cancer: A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial2022n=181
In 181 breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, topical 3% sodium pentaborate gel applied before each session markedly reduced dermatitis, erythema, dry desquamation, and moist desquamation versus placebo after 14 days.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 181
- Ages
- 18–75
RCTEffects of Boron-Based Gel on Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Breast Cancer: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial2017n=47
In 47 breast cancer patients after radiotherapy, boron-based gel significantly lowered RTOG skin reaction scores versus placebo (p=0.024) by the fifth week of treatment.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 47
Milk ThistleView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear whether milk thistle cream helps with skin problems caused by radiation treatment.
- Early research in women with breast cancer found that a cream with milk thistle helped reduce and delay skin irritation compared to a standard cream.
- Some studies combined also support this benefit.
- More research is needed to confirm these effects.
Browse 2 studies·1 meta-analysis
MetaEvaluation of the effect of herbal agents as management of radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis2024n=1,994
Meta-analysis of 16 breast cancer radiodermatitis studies in 1994 patients found silymarin helped prevention, while calendula and aloe vera lacked sufficient evidence.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 1,994
Controlled trialTopical use of a silymarin-based preparation to prevent radiodermatitis : results of a prospective study in breast cancer patients2011n=101
A prospective study of 101 breast cancer radiotherapy patients found topical silymarin cream significantly reduced radiodermatitis severity and delayed skin reaction onset.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 9–16 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 101
Olive OilView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is not clear if putting olive oil on the skin prevents radiation burns from cancer treatment.
- Some studies show that applying olive oil a few times a day for two weeks may reduce severe skin damage but does not change mild skin problems.
- These studies have some quality concerns, so more research is needed.
Browse 1 study·1 meta-analysis
MetaNatural and miscellaneous agents for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis2023
Meta-analysis of 19 prevention trials found oral enzymes and olive oil reduced grade 2+ radiation dermatitis; aloe vera showed no significant preventive effect.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
Green TeaView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear if applying green tea topically helps prevent radiation-related skin irritation during breast cancer treatment.
- Early research shows that spraying a green tea compound called EGCG on the skin over the radiation area can reduce and delay moderate skin irritation compared to a placebo spray.
- The spray was used three times a day from the start of treatment until two weeks after finishing radiation.
Browse 1 study
RCTEfficacy of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Preventing Dermatitis in Patients With Breast Cancer Receiving Postoperative Radiotherapy: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2 Randomized Clinical Trial2022n=111
In 111 breast cancer patients receiving postoperative radiotherapy, EGCG solution reduced radiation-induced dermatitis incidence versus placebo in a phase 2 RCT.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 111
- Ages
- 26–67
AloeView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Research on using aloe vera gel on the skin to prevent or reduce radiation dermatitis (skin irritation from radiation therapy) shows mixed results.
- Some studies find that aloe does not reduce rash or skin problems, while others show aloe might help delay or lessen mild to moderate skin irritation, especially when radiation doses are high.
- Using aloe gel several times a day during and after radiation treatment may help some people with skin redness and irritation, but in other cases, it might not work as well as other creams.
- Sometimes aloe is combined with other natural ingredients, which might improve its effects, but it is unclear how much aloe alone helps.
- Aloe vera might help because it can reduce inflammation and protect skin cells.
- It can be used as a gentle, natural option during radiation therapy but more research is needed to know the best way to use it.
Browse 9 studies·2 meta-analyses
MetaEvaluation of the effect of herbal agents as management of radiodermatitis in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis2024n=1,994
Meta-analysis of 16 breast cancer radiodermatitis studies in 1994 patients found silymarin helped prevention, while calendula and aloe vera lacked sufficient evidence.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 1,994
MetaNatural and miscellaneous agents for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis2023
Meta-analysis of 19 prevention trials found oral enzymes and olive oil reduced grade 2+ radiation dermatitis; aloe vera showed no significant preventive effect.
- Population
- Cancer patients
ObservationalPotential Benefits of Aloe vera and Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus Gel for Prevention of Radiation-Induced Dermatitis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients2023n=44
Cohort of 44 head-and-neck cancer patients found Aloe vera-daikon gel reduced radiation dermatitis severity versus baby oil across radiotherapy sessions.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Head and neck cancer patients
- Participants
- 44
RCTAloe vera for prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis: A systematic review and cumulative analysis of randomized controlled trials2022n=1,572
Cumulative analysis of 14 RCTs in 1572 patients found aloe pretreatment associated with lower radiation dermatitis risk (RR 0.76), especially grade 2-3 disease.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Cancer patients receiving radiotherapy
- Participants
- 1,572
- Ages
- 5–56
RCTPreventing the acute skin side effects in patients treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer: the use of corneometry in order to evaluate the protective effect of moisturizing creams2013n=100
RCT in 100 breast cancer radiotherapy patients found all tested moisturizing creams, including one with aloe, were equally effective for preventing skin toxicity.
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 15 days before to 1 month after radiotherapy
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 100
- Ages
- 29–75
Clinical trialA phase III trial comparing an anionic phospholipid-based cream and aloe vera-based gel in the prevention of radiation dermatitis in pediatric patients2007
Phase III trial in pediatric cancer patients found APP cream more effective than aloe vera gel for preventing radiation dermatitis on several skin comfort measures.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 23.4 g/day
- Population
- Children/adolescents
- Avg age
- ~11
RCTA Phase III study on the efficacy of topical aloe vera gel on irradiated breast tissue2002n=225
Phase III RCT in 225 breast cancer patients over 2 weeks found aqueous cream outperformed topical aloe vera for reducing dry desquamation and treatment-related pain.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Population
- Breast cancer patients
- Participants
- 225
RCTThe effect of aloe vera gel/mild soap versus mild soap alone in preventing skin reactions in patients undergoing radiation therapy2001
Prospective RCT found adding aloe vera gel to mild soap may delay onset of radiation skin reactions at higher cumulative doses versus soap alone.
- Population
- Adults undergoing radiation therapy
- Avg age
- ~56
RCTPhase III double-blind evaluation of an aloe vera gel as a prophylactic agent for radiation-induced skin toxicity1996n=194
Two phase III RCTs in 194 and 108 women found topical aloe vera gel did not prevent radiation therapy-induced dermatitis compared with placebo or no treatment.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 194
MelatoninView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- It is unclear whether melatonin cream helps with skin irritation from radiation treatment.
- In breast cancer patients, one small study found that applying a melatonin cream (Praevoskin) twice daily during and shortly after radiation led to fewer mild-to-moderate skin reactions compared with a placebo cream.
- However, other studies using different melatonin creams did not show clear improvements in skin symptoms, quality of life, or treatment-related skin scores, though some symptom relief over time was reported.
Browse 3 studies
RCTEffect of melatonin cream on acute radiation dermatitis in patients with primary breast cancer: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial2023n=65
In breast cancer radiotherapy patients, topical melatonin cream did not significantly reduce acute radiation dermatitis severity versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 150 mg/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 65
RCTQuality-of-life outcomes following topical melatonin application against acute radiation dermatitis in patients with early breast cancer: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial2023n=65
In breast cancer radiotherapy patients, topical melatonin during treatment did not significantly improve quality-of-life scores versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 150 mg/day
- Population
- Cancer patients
- Participants
- 65
- Ages
- 49+
RCTMelatonin for Prevention of Breast Radiation Dermatitis: A Phase II, Prospective, Double-Blind Randomized Trial2016n=26
In 47 breast cancer radiotherapy patients, melatonin emulsion did not significantly reduce acute radiation dermatitis versus placebo in this phase II trial.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 26
Vitamin CView supplement →
Do not purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Using vitamin C cream on the skin does not stop radiation dermatitis in people getting cancer treatment.
- Studies show that a 10% vitamin C solution did not protect the scalp from skin problems caused by radiation therapy.
Browse 1 study
RCTA double-blind, randomized, prospective trial to evaluate topical vitamin C solution for the prevention of radiation dermatitis. CNS Cancer Consortium1993n=35
An RCT in 65 brain tumor patients found topical ascorbic acid lotion did not prevent radiation dermatitis versus placebo.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Population
- Patients With Primary Or Metastatic Brain Tumors
- Participants
- 35
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.