Best aloe vera gel for acne

Alisa Hrustic

We updated this article in July 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.

For those times when you forgot to apply your sunscreen as diligently as you should, aloe vera gel can be a game changer. That’s because the cactus-like plant has long been known for its healing properties when applied topically, thanks to its abundance of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and amino acids.

“The clear, jelly-like substance in the inner part of the [aloe vera] leaf contains glycoproteins, which reduce inflammation and swelling from a sunburn,” says Zaineb Hassan Makhzoumi, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and Mohs skin cancer surgeon. Applying aloe vera gel can also help prevent sunburn peeling, thanks to its moisturizing properties.

What’s more, the aloe vera plant is a natural source of vitamins E and C, antioxidants that help suppress the formation of free radicals (a.k.a., unstable molecules that damage skin), says Nazanin Saedi, M.D., a dermatologist with Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia.

But there’s a catch: Many products marketed as “pure aloe vera” don’t live up to the claim, according to a report from Consumer Lab, an independent testing company focused on health and nutrition products. In fact, previous lab tests discovered that out of 10 aloe products tested, only five contained what the company expected based on product labels, and two products contained almost no aloe at all. Now, if you apply an aloe vera gel that happens to have no aloe in it, you’re probably not going to harm your skin—and you may still get sunburn relief, Dr. Saedi says. But to get all the ways aloe vera gel can benefit your skin, you’ll want to make sure you’re purchasing the real deal.

Too much to keep in mind? We did the work for you and rounded up the best aloe vera gels for your skin. Whether you need a home remedy for sunburn or an affordable moisturizer, these top-rated aloe vera gels have you covered.

How we chose the best aloe vera gels

We consulted Dr. Makhzoumi and Dr. Saedi as well as conducted our own research and poured through thousands of customer reviews in order to select the most effective and highest-rated aloe vera gels.

Our top picks

• 1

  Best Overall

  Aloe Vera Gel Amara Organics

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• 2

  Best Value

  Aloe Vera Gel Fruit of the Earth

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• 3

  Best Aloe Vera Gel for Acne-Prone Skin

  Aloe Vera Gel Green Leaf Naturals

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• 4

  Most Popular Aloe Vera Gel on Amazon

  Aloe Vera Gel Seven Minerals

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• 5

  Best Multipurpose Aloe Vera Gel

  Organic Aloe Vera Gel NaturSense

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1

Best Overall

Amara Organics

Aloe Vera Gel

2

Best Value

Fruit of the Earth

Aloe Vera Gel

3

Best Aloe Vera Gel for Acne-Prone Skin

Green Leaf Naturals

Aloe Vera Gel

4

Most Popular Aloe Vera Gel on Amazon

Seven Minerals

Aloe Vera Gel

5

Best Multipurpose Aloe Vera Gel

NaturSense

Organic Aloe Vera Gel

6

Best Aftersun Aloe Vera Gel

Earth's Daughter

Organic Aloe Vera Gel

7

Best Aloe Vera Gel for Dry Skin

Beauty by Earth

Aloe Vera Gel

8

Best Aloe Vera Gel for Face

KinRose Care

Aloe Vera Gel

9

Best Unscented Aloe Vera Gel

Badger

Aloe Vera After Sun Gel

10

Best Lightweight Aloe Vera Gel

Holika Holika

Aloe 99% Soothing Gel

How to choose the best aloe vera gel for your skin

Read the ingredients: Make sure the first ingredient on your bottle’s label reads as “aloe vera gel” and don’t buy anything with “aloe latex”—a laxative that may be carcinogenic. Some aloe vera gels also contain the pain-relieving ingredient lidocaine, but you’re better off buying one that doesn’t contain additives (including alcohol, fragrance, or color) to reduce the risk of irritation, says Dr. Saedi. That means your aloe should be clear—not green.

Check the percentage: There’s no such thing as 100% aloe vera, since it does require some preservatives to extend its shelf life. But as a general rule of thumb, the higher the percentage, the better. “If the percentage of aloe vera is low, that means it contains many other additives, such as thickeners, preservatives, colors, and fragrance,” says Jennifer Gordon, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas.

Beware of tricky wording: Don’t be fooled by labels that read “100% gel.” This simply means the product is pure gel—not pure aloe vera gel. If it does have a marketing tout, it should say “pure aloe vera gel.” The more ingredients that are listed before aloe vera on your label, the less aloe there is in the product.

How to apply aloe vera gel to soothe a sunburn

First, always do a patch test on your skin before you put aloe vera gel all over it. Simply choose a small spot on your arm before applying it to the rest of your body to make sure you don’t have any unwanted reactions, such as redness, swelling, or itching.

Once you’re clear of any allergic reactions, keep the aloe vera stored in your fridge. The cold gel will take away the heat of the burn and the cooling sensation has an anesthetic effect for pain relief, says Dr. Saedi.

As for how often you should slather it on? Dr. Makhzoumi says applying aloe vera least twice a day should provide healing benefits for sunburn.

As always, try your best to avoid a sunburn in the first place. “If you find yourself having to reach for aloe vera gel often, it’s time to evaluate your sun protection methods, says Dr. Makhzoumi. Even one blistering burn can double your risk for skin cancer.” To stay protected and burn-free, she emphasizing reapplying sunscreen every two hours when spending time outdoors.

Additional reporting by Krissy Brady

Jessica Migala Jessica Migala is a health writer specializing in general wellness, fitness, nutrition, and skincare, with work published in Women’s Health, Glamour, Health, Men’s Health, and more.

Jenn Gonick Jenn Gonick joins Prevention as an editorial intern for e-commerce and gift guides.

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