Tech & Gear Accessories The 10 Best Aloe Vera Gels of 2023 Sun Bum Cool Down Gel refreshes and soothes the skin By Alesandra Dubin Alesandra Dubin Instagram Twitter Alesandra Dubin is an LA-based lifestyle writer and editor specializing in travel, food, parenting, and more. As a veteran digital journalist, she’s covered lifestyle content for over 15 years. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 03/22/23 Share Pin Email We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Why use aloe vera gel? Dermatologists say it has many healing properties and applications for the whole body. “Aloe vera is a powerful plant,” explains Naana Boakye, dermatologist and owner of the New Jersey-based Bergen Dermatology. “It has various medical and cosmetic applications due to all the vitamins, enzymes, and minerals. Due to all these properties, the aloe vera gel is considered anti-inflammatory and [it has] antimicrobial properties.” Aloe vera gel works for other skin irritations and even as a natural hair gel. But most commonly, people look to it to soothe skin after too much sun exposure. “Since skin that is sunburned or has had a bit too much sun is very sensitive, I generally tell patients to look for moisturizing lotions or gels that contain pure aloe vera and to avoid any that have any irritating ingredients or are overly fragranced,” explains dermatologist Papri Sarkar. Products that are high in things like glycerin and allantoin will help your skin pull in water and keep it there.” To find the best options, we looked for products that principally feature high concentrations of aloe vera gel and avoid additives such as synthetic fragrances and dyes. Keep in mind that an expiration date is a sign of a high-quality, natural formula. With feedback from these and more dermatology pros, here are the best aloe vera gels. The Rundown Best Overall: Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Gel at Walmart Jump to Review Best Budget: Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Organic: Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best Natural: Bloomscape Hedgehog Aloe at Bloomscape.com Jump to Review Best for Acne: Badger Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sensitive Skin: Green Leaf Naturals Organic Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Face: Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Sunburns: Coola Radical Recovery After Sun Lotion at Amazon Jump to Review Best Moisturizing: Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion at Amazon Jump to Review Best Drugstore: Jason Jason Aloe Vera Gel at Amazon Jump to Review Table of contents Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Why Trust TripSavvy Best Overall Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Gel Macy's View On Walmart View On Dick's View On Academy.com What We Like Tea tree oil soothes skin Absorbs quickly Affordable What We Don't Like Aloe isn't main ingredient Sun Bum's Cool Down Gel is an ideal all-around pick: it's reasonably budget-friendly, alcohol-free, and super moisturizing. The vitamin E-enriched gel is excellent for easing sunburn pain and preventing peeling. You get tea tree oil in addition to the aloe. Fans also love this amazing product to relieve other everyday gripes like insect bites (in case you can't keep the pests away) and dark under-eye circles. Price at time of publication: $12 Best Budget Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On IHerb What We Like No alcohol Inexpensive Absorbs quickly What We Don't Like Bottle cap can break easily Not 100 percent aloe vera This well-loved product excels for performance and is budget-friendly enough to buy in bulk. (In fact, you'll get 12 ounces of aloe vera gel for just $4.) This non-oily gel advertises itself as 100 percent gel, without alcohol or added fragrance, but aloe vera isn't the only ingredient on the product label. It also uses some surfactants and preservatives, but aloe is the first and main ingredient. Like other aloe vera products, this Fruit of the Earth gel creates a protective barrier to moisturize skin without leaving any sticky residue. Price at time of publication: $5 Best Organic Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel 4.9 Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Sevenminerals.com What We Like High concentration of aloe Absorbs quickly What We Don't Like Expensive Jill Canes, nurse practitioner and the founder of Face Forward Medical Aesthetics, recommends Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel. "In addition to 99 percent aloe vera gel, it uses a natural ingredient as a thickener—seaweed extract," she says. "It's easily absorbed into the skin and does not leave a sticky residue." It's grown in Texas and harvested from freshly cut aloe leaves, not powder, so it's one of the purest and strongest formulas available. Some reviewers did experience an allergic reaction, so be sure to do a patch test when using this for the first time. Price at time of publication: $25 Best Natural Bloomscape Hedgehog Aloe Bloomscape View On Bloomscape.com What We Like Most authentic form of aloe vera Can use as much as you need Comes with decorative pot What We Don't Like Requires upkeep Can't be used on the go We’re not being cheeky here, but it’s the truth: There’s no more pure aloe vera option than the clear gel substance taken right from the plant itself, and we heard the experts recommend this route over and over. Dr. Wazir says, “It is best to use natural aloe vera gel from the leaf of an aloe vera plant.” Dr. Boakye agrees: “To be honest, my motto is to go right to the source and to use less-processed products. I would purchase the plant and use the gel.” So consider purchasing a live plant and extracting your own natural gel when needed. Price at time of publication: $49 The 9 Best Tanning Oils of 2023 for Every Skin Type Best for Acne Badger Aloe Vera Gel 4.8 Amazon View On Amazon View On IHerb What We Like Organic and fair trade certified Fragrance-free What We Don't Like Less aloe vera than other options This affordable gel contains 96 percent aloe. "This one is simple and doesn't include ingredients that might break someone out," Dr. Sarkar says. "It's also unscented, so it's less likely to cause irritation for those who are sensitive to fragrance. Like all aloe vera gels, I recommend putting this in the fridge, so you can put it on cold, so it's even more soothing." Price at time of publication: $7 Best for Sensitive Skin Green Leaf Naturals Organic Aloe Vera Gel Green Leaf Naturals View On Amazon View On Greenleafnaturals.com What We Like Can use on pets High concentration of aloe Not sticky What We Don't Like Expensive Some reviewers note an odd smell Use this thin aloe vera gel formula for the face, body—even hair. It leaves no sticky residue and is okay for all skin types. And since it doesn't contain latex, it's suitable for pets, too. "The Green Leaf Naturals Aloe Vera Gel has 99.75 percent aloe vera gel and is free of chemicals or thickeners," Canes explains. "It's very lightweight and gets absorbed by the skin quickly." If you plan on taking Fido on a beach trip, this is the pick for you. Price at time of publication: $23 Best for Face Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel 4.2 Amazon View On Amazon View On IHerb View On Stylevana.com What We Like Uses variety of plant extracts Affordable price Doubles as a moisturizer for your skincare routine What We Don't Like Has fragrance This fan-favorite product has many desirable features: It's affordable, has 99 percent pure aloe, and is an excellent head-to-toe option that works equally well for the face and body. The gel isn't organic and does have a fragrance, but it is free from chemicals such as parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol, alcohols, and artificial colors. It also contains natural plant extracts like watermelon, bamboo, corn, and cucumber. Price at time of publication: $9 The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Best for Sunburns Coola Radical Recovery Eco-Cert Organic After Sun Lotion Coola View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Nordstrom What We Like Added extracts and oils help soothe skin Absorbs quickly What We Don't Like Expensive Fans love this ultra-moisturizing lotion made with organic aloe vera and lavender oil for sunburn and any other dryness or redness. To the product’s base of organic agave and aloe vera, Coola adds antioxidant and vitamin-rich enhancements, including rosemary extract, lavender oil, sunflower oil, mandarin peel, and cedarwood. It contains no parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Price at time of publication: $28 Best Moisturizing Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion Target View On Amazon View On Academy.com View On Beallsflorida.com What We Like Not sticky Good for dry skin Affordable What We Don't Like Doesn't prevent peeling in all cases Can aggravate acne Sun Bum's after-sun lotion is made with aloe and vitamin E and promises serious hydration in a non-greasy formula that absorbs easily. It's also alcohol-free, so it's non-drying. "This one keeps the skin from drying out because it has cottonseed oil, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil," Dr. Sarkar says. "I wouldn't use it in acne-prone areas or the first few days of a sunburn, but for patients without a predisposition to acne and prone to dryness, this is a good choice." If you often find your skin thirsty and battered after mountain getaways, reach for this lotion. Price at time of publication: $14 Best Drugstore Jason Gel Aloe Vera 98% Tube Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Freshnless.com What We Like Small size is good for travel Doesn't leave a residue behind Affordable What We Don't Like Uses menthol which can cause irritation Reviewers love this budget-friendly drugstore option from a time-tested brand that's been around for over six decades. Fans say it is non-greasy and absorbs quickly. The 98 percent aloe product comes in a 4-ounce tube. "This one is primarily aloe vera gel, and it's not sticky but still soothing on the skin," Dr. Sarkar notes. "It contains allantoin, panthenol, and glycerin to help rehydrate your skin." Price at time of publication: $9 Final Verdict Sun Bum Cool Down Gel is a winner for several reasons—an affordable, moisturizing formula that can be used to soothe a variety of skin ailments. If you like the idea of quantity and quality, the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel is your best bet. What to Look for in Aloe Vera Gel Order of Ingredients First and foremost, dermatologists recommend looking at the ingredient list in an aloe vera gel. This may sound obvious, but make sure the first ingredient is aloe vera gel. "Ingredients are usually listed in order of concentration, so you want to make sure you're getting a high percentage of aloe vera," Canes advises. Added Ingredients Scan the ingredient list for alcohol, which Dr. Wazir doesn’t recommend because it dries out the skin. Further, she suggests searching the list for added fragrances and “avoid buying gels with synthetic fragrances,” which may contain parabens and phthalates. Aloe Vera Percentage Canes recommends that aloe vera gel products contain more than 70 percent gel. “There’s no such thing as 100 percent aloe vera gel because it does require some additional ingredients to maintain its shelf life, but the higher, the better to ensure there are no other additives,” Canes says. Color Ideally, Canes recommends choosing an aloe vera gel that is clear. “Often, colored or bright green aloe vera gel contains many other additives to give it its color and fragrance,” she says. Dr. Wazir echoes the sentiment. “Aloe vera gel with a bright green color contains artificial colors,” she says. “Pure aloe vera gel is transparent.” So a good rule of thumb is the clearer, the purer. Shelf Life Dr. Wazir also suggests looking for a product with shorter shelf life. While that might sound counterintuitive, she explains, “Shorter shelf life means a purer product.” Frequently Asked Questions How often should you apply aloe vera? For sunburn, Canes recommends applying aloe vera gel at least twice daily. Wazir recommends a slightly different usage protocol for other skin concerns: Apply it to the “affected area of the skin [such as] acne, eczema, or sunburn after cleansing it,” she says. “It can also be applied to the whole face and neck before bed.” How should aloe vera be stored? You can store aloe vera gel at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Storing aloe vera gel in the fridge will make it feel extra cool when it hits sunburned skin. But, if you are storing it as part of a camping first-aid kit on a shelf, that works too. Can you use aloe if you have sensitive skin? Probably. But if you're unsure, "do a patch test before you apply aloe vera to your sunburn to make sure you don't have any adverse reactions to the gel," Canes advises. Why Trust TripSavvy Alesandra Dubin has fair skin and enjoys extended time in the sun at home in Los Angeles and during her frequent travels—and occasionally overdoes it. She’s also especially prone to intense reactions to bug bites, which contributes to her further experience with aloe vera gel over many years of experimentation. The Best Reef-Safe Sunscreens of 2023, Tested and Reviewed Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Continue to 5 of 10 below. 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