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For so many of us, aloe vera was one of the first “skincare” products we used. It might have been to soothe a cut, a burn, or overexposure to the sun, but even now with years and products under our belt, it’s still something we call on regularly.
Aloe vera is effective when it comes to soothing and cooling the skin, which is why it’s associated with sunburn. It’s essential to use SPF all the time and avoid unprotected sun exposure where possible, but if the unspeakable happens and you’re caught out, it is a great at-home solution.
But besides treating sunburn, aloe vera is a useful ingredient in terms of general hydration and nourishment. The plant gel itself is full of vitamins, enzymes, minerals, salicylic acids, and amino acids, making it great for every skin type.
So here we’re looking at the hero ingredient in detail, specifically our favorite aloe vera-rich gels and lotions for the face and body. Experts Melanie Grant and Marnie Nussbaum have also weighed in.
Meet the Expert
- Melanie Grant is a trusted aesthetician and the brains behind some of the most enviable complexions in the business.
- Marnie Nussbaum, M.D. FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist based in NYC.
Keep reading to learn more about the best aloe vera gels and lotions we are loving right now.
Best Overall: Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel
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Courtesy of Seven Minerals
Lightweight
Organic
Alcohol-free
Minimal ingredients
No other skin-beneficial ingredients
Made up of organic, cold-pressed aloe and seaweed, this lightweight gel cools the skin immediately on application. It’s quite thin and absorbs easily (i.e. not sticky in the slightest), so you can get dressed afterward without staining your clothes. And while we’re not condoning sunburn, this will work to reduce redness and prevent skin peeling.
Active Ingredients: Organic aloe vera, seaweed extract | Skin Type: All | Size: 12 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget: Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Lotion
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Hydrating
Lightweight
Smells good
Small percentage of aloe
This body moisturizer is a fan favorite for a reason. Enriched with simple but effective glycerin, cucumber, aloe, and panthenol, it’s a softly scented lotion that leaves the skin hydrated but not greasy. The fresh gel texture and soothing inclusion of aloe make it a great all-over pick for summer, too.
Active Ingredients: Pure aloe extract | Skin Type: Dry, stressed, sun-damaged | Size: 9.9 oz. or 20.2 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best Body Gel: Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Gel
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Cooling sensation
Contains nourishing ingredients
Smells good
Not overly hydrating
Honestly, this stuff makes for a great body treatment whenever the mercury rises. It’s fresh and enriched with ingredients like vitamin E and tea tree to help nourish, soothe, and cool the skin. The scent is super clean and summery, as well.
Active Ingredients: Aloe lotion, vitamin E | Skin Type: Dry, sun-damaged | Size: 8 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best K-Beauty: Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel
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iHerb
Hydrating
Smells good
Lightweight
Reviewers note the bottle breaks easily
If you love using pure aloe plant gel but hate the weird smell, this is the best thing. Made from fermented aloe pulp from South Korea’s Jeju Island, it’s hydrating and refreshing—and great on dry, stressed-out skin. The unique jelly texture and aloe-shaped bottle are a bit of fun, as well.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, nelumbium, centella asiatica, bamboo, cucumber, corn, cabbage, watermelon | Skin Type: Dry, stressed | Size: 8.45 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Face: Innisfree Vitalizing Soothing Gel With Aloe
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Hydrating
Works on face, body, and hair
Small percentage of aloe
If you want a simple aloe vera gel that works on both face and body, this choice from Innisfree will be your new best friend. Refreshing and super juicy, it contains soothing aloe from Jeju Island plus camellia oil, orchid, and glycerin to calm the skin and help improve barrier function. Fun fact! You can even use it on your hair.
Active Ingredients: Organic Jeju Aloe Extract | Skin Type: Dry, stressed | Size: 10.14 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Splurge: Santa Maria Novella Aloe Gel for Face and Body
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Smells good
Concentrated
Lightweight
Expensive
This soft, milky emulsion is like sweet relief for dry, red skin on the face and body. Made on a base of aloe vera, it’s full of lavender essential oil and lemon balm, so not only does it work a treat, but it feels incredibly luxurious and smells even better.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, lavender essential oil, lemon balm | Skin Type: Dry, sun-damaged | Size: 8.4 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best After Sun: Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe
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Luxurious texture
Hydrating
Smells good
Expensive
While touted as an after-sun product, we love this year-round, thanks to its reparative, hydrating, skin-soothing properties. While the hero is aloe vera, there’s also wheat germ, squalane, and hyaluronic acid to plump up the skin and replenish lost moisture, especially so after exposure to the elements. It has a fresh, summery fragrance too.
Active Ingredients: Aloe, wheat germ, squalane, hyaluronic acid | Skin Type: Dry, sun-damaged | Size: 5 oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Breakouts: Dr. Zenovia Skincare Aloe Vera Blemish Soothing Moisturizer
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Sephora
Works on the face
Lightweight
Suitable for breakout-prone skin
Expensive
Aloe is often called on to calm acne-prone skin. This gentle moisturizer lotion is rich in both aloe vera and botanical extracts to reduce redness, mattify shine, and soothe the inflammation associated with breakouts. There’s also squalane to hydrate and promote barrier strength. The texture is also beautiful and light, so it’s excellent underneath makeup.
Active Ingredients: Squalane, Curated Antioxidant Blend, medical-grade aloe vera, REG-ulate360 Complex, bakuchiol | Skin Type: Acne-prone | Size: 0.5 fl. oz. or 1.5 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Best for Sensitive Skin: Dr. Barbara Sturm Aloe Vera Gel
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Nordstrom
Concentrated
Fragrance-free
Great for sensitive skin
Expensive
Formulated with 90% pure fair trade aloe vera, alongside Dr. Sturm’s signature purslane, this formula claims to moisturize and soothe the skin immediately on contact. The minimalist formula is fragrance-free and suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera gel, purslane, panthenol (vitamin B5) | Skin Type: Dry, sensitive | Size: 4.2 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Scent: Coola Radical Recovery Eco-Cert Organic After Sun Lotion
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Courtesy of Revolve
Smells good
Hydrating
Vegan
Small percentage of aloe
This after-sun lotion makes for an oh-so refreshing moisturizer, especially during the summer months. It contains aloe vera alongside sunflower seed oil, shea butter, and lavender essential oils to soften and smooth the skin. And don’t even get us started on the scent—with notes of cedarwood, mandarin, and rosemary, it’s fresh, zingy, and herbaceous.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera | Skin Type: All skin types | Size: 5 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Pure Gel: Green Leaf Naturals Cold Pressed Aloe Vera Spray
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Amazon
Organic
Minimal ingredients
Lightweight
No other skin-beneficial ingredients
Simple, clean, and effective, this aloe gel from Green Leaf Naturals contains only a handful of ingredients, including the hero-certified organic aloe vera juice. Whether it’s to soothe limbs post-exposure to the elements or just as a natural hydrator, this affordable buy is one of the best out there.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera | Skin Type: All | Size: 4 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Organic Formula: Badger Aloe Vera Gel
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Courtesy of Badger
Concentrated
Lightweight
Works on face, body, and hair
No other skin-beneficial ingredients
What’s unique about this formula is that it’s made from 100% organic aloe vera plants certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture. As for the composition, the formula itself contains 99.75% aloe, while the additional 0.25% is a plant-based preservative to prevent any mold or bacteria growth. Light and not at all sticky, you can apply this multi-purpose wonder onto skin, through hair, or even on pets.
Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, citric acid | Skin Type: Sensitive | Size: 8 fl. oz. | SPF: None | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Aloe vera is without a doubt a versatile, soothing skincare ingredient. It comes in many forms, namely creams, lotions, and gels, all designed to hydrate and nourish the skin on our face, body, or both. While we’re partial to a few of the above for differing reasons, team Byrdie undoubtedly has a few favorites: Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel for its lightweight texture and cooling sensation upon application; Innisfree Vitalizing Soothing Gel With Aloe for being the best non-drying, non-sticky gel of our dreams; Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm with Aloe because it’s luxurious to use and makes the skin feel incredibly soft; Finally, Holika Holika Aloe 99% Soothing Gel because it’s simple, effective, and the texture is 10/10.
What to Look for When Buying an Aloe Vera Gel or Lotion
Consider Your Skin Concerns
It’s always important to assess what’s going on with your skin and if aloe will help (or hurt) your goals. According to aesthetician Melanie Grant, aloe vera is a “predominantly water-based succulent plant that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties, making it a wound-healing hero and perfect for those experiencing redness and irritation.” She adds that it also shares the same pH as skin, which makes it gentle enough for those of us prone to irritation.
So unless you have a specific allergy or sensitivity, aloe is great if you want to soothe skin and reduce redness.
Pure Aloe Vera
So what about aloe in skincare? Is this still effective or should we be looking for pure gels only? Grant suggests that for those who require constant soothing (such as after a sunburn), applying pure gel is a great solution as the skin will receive the direct benefits in the most potent form. As it heals the skin, itching is soothed, redness is minimized, and hydration is replenished.
But with that being said, she explains that it’s still a wonderful addition to skincare products, so don’t hesitate if it's listed as one of the ingredients.
Why Trust Byrdie
Aside from the fact that Emily Algar loves researching and investigating skincare ingredients, she has also tapped many professionals to help us understand what works, what doesn’t, and why.
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