FYI: This super-ingredient can do SO much for your skin and hair.
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When it comes to after-sun care, aloe vera gel will always reign supreme. In fact, the American Academy of Dermatology and the Skin Cancer Foundation both recommend aloe vera for treating sunburns. Let's get one thing straight, though—aloe vera may be effective but it is not an excuse to skip wearing sunscreen!
What makes aloe vera good for sunburns? According to board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, "Aloe vera has been shown to reduce the production of various inflammatory mediators [aka the redness, heat, swelling, and pain that comes with a sunburn]. It also has glucomannan, which activates fibroblast growth factor receptors and stimulates their activity," which is v important for cell repair and collagen production. All of that is a fancy way of saying you should be stocking up on aloe vera products before your sunburn happens, so you can start treating it ASAP. Here are a few of the Cosmo beauty team's faves:
Aloe vera's sunburn-soothing properties also make it an excellent summer skincare ingredient, particularly for those struggling with redness and inflamed breakouts. But that's not all! Some use aloe vera gel as a hair product and rave endlessly on social media about how it speeds up hair growth. Meanwhile, others swear by its ability to minimize irritation after shaving and get rid of hickeys, fast. To help you find the right aloe vera gel for every intended use, we've tested, reviewed, and rounded up 10 of the best aloe vera gels below.
Dr. Lal says the best way to treat a sunburn is to apply aloe vera juice straight from the plant, but those who have done so know it can be a sticky, spiky mess. Enter: This pure aloe vera gel. Made with organic aloe vera and a handful of natural thickeners and preservatives (the good kind that make it shelf-stable and easier to apply), it's the next best thing to the plant itself.
There are sooo many aloe vera gels on Amazon these days, but what sets this one from Seven Minerals apart is the simple ingredient list, transparent sourcing, and 50,000+ five-star reviews. The fact that the giant bottle is super affordable is just an added bonus!
Glowing customer review: "This is one of the best aloe brands I've found. I love that it's organic and made in the U.S. Whether I've spent too much time in the sun or my skin is feeling dry and irritated, this aloe vera always comes to the rescue. The cooling effect instantly calms and hydrates my skin. It leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth without any greasy residue."
Despite what TikTok may tell you, scrunching straight-up aloe gel into your hair may not yield optimal results—at least, not compared to the carefully formulated hair gels and styling creams you're used to using. So, if you're planning to use aloe vera gel as hair gel, look for a product that's formulated for just that.
Created specifically for use on your strands, this Rahua aloe vera hair gel has all the hydrating and nourishing benefits of aloe vera but with an even better hold than straight-up gel. Plus, it's packed with essential nutrients, fatty acids, and antioxidants that support strong, healthy hair.
Glowing customer review: "My hair is thin and oil-prone. Any product that I put on wet or damp hair weighs it down once it is dry. I use this product on my fully-dried hair to style. It works very well giving me volume and control. After applying and once the product is dry, I brush my hair and it's amazing how soft and uniform but subtle the hold is."
Yes, I'll admit that Dr. Barbara Sturm's aloe vera gel isn't the most budget-friendly choice, buuut it certainly is one of the most effective at treating facial sunburns. In addition to aloe vera, it's got vitamin B5 and purslane, a superfood rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids.
All that to say, if you're going to splurge on one summer skincare product, this is it. Once you see how quickly it reduces redness and prevents peeling, it'll be hard to go back to using pure aloe gel on your face.
Glowing customer review: "I’ve been using this gel on my face every night before I apply moisturizer and it is heavenly! The redness in my complexion has drastically disappeared, and it leaves my skin extremely cool, de-puffed, and hydrated. It is expensive, but I’ve been using Dr. Sturm’s products for years now and they really work, so it’s worth the extra for me."
If you have sensitive skin, steer clear of aloe gels with added dyes, fragrances, and alcohol. Instead, stick to products made with only pure aloe vera leaf juice and food-grade preservatives. This top-rated aloe vera gel on Amazon is made using cold-pressed aloe to preserve as many key nutrients as possible.
"Aloe vera is anti-inflammatory and also offers a cooling sensation. Studies have shown aloe vera to be helpful in improving burn wounds," says Dr. Lal. "Aloe vera leaf juice is preferred because it is less likely to have irritants. Aloe vera extract is concentrated and may be combined with other preservatives which may not offer any benefit."
Glowing customer review: "Love this stuff. I am prone to pimples and red bumps on my shoulders and upper back.. so annoying! Most moisturizers are too thick and break me out. This goes on like water but is very breathable and light and does not cause acne but rather decreases redness and gives my skin a smoother appearance."
If the idea of rubbing pure aloe all over yourself gives you the ick, try an aloe vera after-sun lotion instead. Formulated with aloe vera and other proven sunburn soothers, this Sun Bum Cool Down gel will help minimize redness, itching, and peeling without feeling quite so sticky. And believe me, it smells a whole lot better, too.
"This is the best-smelling after-sun gel ever. It smells like creamy coconut and banana (aka a tropical beach), so it still feels like I'm keepin' the party goin' even after I've left the sun. Even better, it seriously soothes and moisturizes with cocoa butter to keep my skin soft and help me avoid blistering and peeling," says Beth Gillette, Beauty Editor.
Glowing customer review: "This gives you so much more relief than regular aloe gel, and I don’t feel that normal dryness that comes from traditional aloe, which is great because I have sensitive, finicky skin. Plus, on top of that, OMG INSTANT RELIEF."
"After-sun lotions are fine but nothing replaces pure aloe from the fridge," says Dr. Lal. But when I've got a painful sunburn, the last thing I want to do is rub something sticky all over it, which is why I've started using an aloe spray on my burns.
This reasonably priced bottle from Green Leaf Naturals is about as pure as it gets in spray form. An added bonus: Reviewers say the spray bottle makes it waaay easier to apply evenly through your hair, whether you're using it as a leave-in curl product or a hydrating overnight mask.
Glowing customer review: "This is so great for having soft and moisturized hair. It’s basically my secret to glossy curls. The smell when it’s first applied is kind of gross but it goes away completely when it dries. No trace of it at all."
If organic ingredients are a top priority, try Aloderma's organic aloe vera gel. The simple formula is made with USDA-certified organic aloe vera juice (and a handful of natural preservatives and thickeners) that's been harvested within twelve hours of bottling, ensuring the end product you slather all over your sunburn is truly as fresh as possible. The pump bottle it comes packaged in makes it easy to apply to large areas of your body—or to use in the shower as a soothing scalp treatment.
Glowing customer review: "This stuff is amazing for soothing sunburns, hydrating dry patches, or just using as a daily moisturizer. It absorbs super fast and doesn't leave any sticky residue behind. Plus, the natural aloe scent is really light and refreshing. It's become a staple in my bathroom for its versatility and effectiveness."
Korean skincare is all about creating plump, dewy, glass skin— something aloe vera excels at. You'll find the irritation-soothing, redness-reducing ingredient in a number of serums, moisturizers, and masks (often listed as Jeju aloe vera if it's sourced from the South Korean island of Jeju). While these aloe-infused K-beauty products are great for everyday hydration, a true aloe vera gel is still the best choice after a long day in the sun, as it contains fewer additional ingredients that could potentially irritate your vulnerable skin.
This $10 aloe vera gel from Holika Holika is formulated with cold-pressed Jeju aloe leaf juice and soothing botanical extracts that support skin health and combat signs of skin aging. While it's gentle enough to use on mild sunburns, it's also hydrating enough to use any time your skin needs a little moisture boost.
Glowing customer review: "I’ve repurchased this aloe vera five or six times at this point because this has become the new staple in my nighttime skincare routine. It smells really fresh and clean but not too strong, either. The gel itself is thick but not sticky, which I really love compared to some other ones I’ve tried. And it feels really cooling and moisturizing as soon as you apply it."
Aloe vera's antiseptic properties make it an excellent ingredient for face wash, especially if you prefer a cleanser with a gel texture. This gentle, foaming aloe vera cleansing gel from Naturopathica is made with over 50% aloe vera juice, along with hydrating glycerin and soothing lavender. The simple formula and natural ingredients make it just as suitable for those with oily, acne-prone skin as it is for those with dry, sensitive skin. Consider it your new fave summer face wash.
Glowing customer review: "I have been using this face wash for 15+ years and won’t use anything else. I have acne-prone skin that can get red easily. This is very gentle, does not cause breakouts, and does not irritate my skin. It feels so clean after using without being overly drying."
While pure aloe vera gel works well as an after-sun face mask, it can leave your skin feeling sticky and slightly dry. So, if you're seeking quick relief after a beach or pool day, I'd suggest a face mask formulated with aloe vera and other hydrating ingredients that'll leave your skin feeling nourished and refreshed.
These aloe vera gel sheet masks from Facetory feel so good after a long day in the sun, especially if you store them in the fridge. In addition to aloe, they've got emollient jojoba seed oil and hydrating betaine to give you dry skin a boost. Slip one into your carry-on to keep your skin happy during your next beach vacay!
Glowing customer review: "The formula is silky smooth and soft, and it felt glorious on my skin. There was a ton of essence left over for my hands and neck, which was an added bonus. This mask did not irritate my skin or make me break out. It is highly hydrating!"
A splash of menthol is what sets this Kinlo aloe vera gel moisturizer apart from your average bottle of aloe. The ingredient adds a cooling sensation that feels super refreshing after a hot, sweaty day in the sun. In fact, it's so cooling that it gives me goosebumps every time I apply it.
While Kinlo's skincare products are formulated with melanated skin in mind, their hydrating and soothing ingredients work on everyone. No matter your skin type or texture, you should give your bod the nutrients and moisture it deserves after sun exposure, and this is just the product to do it with.
Glowing customer review: "I love going to the beach and getting my tan on but what I love more is using this gel afterwards! I do keep it in my fridge just for extra cooling purposes and it helps calm down some of my eczema flares with the cooling effect."
The American Academy of Dermatology, the Skin Cancer Foundation, and our skincare expert, Dr. Lal, all recommend using aloe vera to treat sunburns. Storing your aloe products in the fridge will make them feel even more soothing and cooling on a fresh burn.
The same soothing properties that make aloe vera the most effective sunburn treatment also make it a great skincare ingredient. An aloe vera face cream or aloe vera gel can help reduce redness and minimize inflammation, whether it's caused by rosacea, hormonal acne, or just a long day in the sun.
If you're someone who gets irritation, itchiness and those little angry red bumps after shaving (your legs, pits, privates, or whatever else), try applying aloe vera gel instead of traditional body lotion. It'll soothe your skin and offer some much-needed hydration without suffocating your pores.
Pure aloe vera gel as a hair product? Clean beauty enthusiasts on social media say yes. While there are certainly more effective hair masks and styling gels out there, there's no harm in trying out the haircare fad for yourself. However, you really might be better off buying a hair product with aloe vera on the ingredient list so you can reap the benefits through something with far better product performance than plain old aloe gel.
First, you'll need to determine the severity of your sunburn. If you have blisters, extreme swelling, a fever, or you're vomiting, you should seek medical treatment. Severe sunburns, severe dehydration, and heatstroke can happen in tandem, so it's important to take more intense burns seriously.
For super red and angry sunburns, it's best to stick to pure aloe gel. Be particularly careful to avoid added fragrances and alcohols, as they can cause irritation and leave your burn feeling even more itchy and annoying. If your burn is on the milder side, you can opt for something more akin to an aloe moisturizer.
The sooner you apply aloe vera, the sooner the healing process can begin. Dr. Lal says, "You should apply it immediately and you can re-apply as often as you wish." Regular use won't just minimize redness, pain, and swelling—it'll help reduce the chances of your sunburn peeling, too.
As a general rule of thumb—the simpler the ingredient list, the better. Aloe vera should be the primary ingredient in the form of aloe vera leaf juice or aloe vera extract. The best pure aloe vera gels are made with only aloe vera juice and a few added thickeners and preservatives (the good kind), not a lengthy list of hard-to-pronounce chemicals and additives.
Are you planning to use aloe vera to treat a sunburn? To soothe inflamed, acne-ridden skin? To naturally nourish your hair? You may want an aloe vera product formulated with additional ingredients that will make it even more effective for your desired end use.
The ingredients that aren't in your aloe vera gel are just as important as the ones that are. While a high-quality product can do wonders for your sunburn, a crappy one can make your skin feel even more irritated than it was before. Here are a few ingredients you may want to avoid in an aloe vera gel:
Karan Lal, MD, is a double board-certified adult, pediatric, and cosmetic dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatology in Scottsdale, AZ.
Sarah Maberry is a commerce writer at Hearst Magazines with over four years of experience covering beauty. She's particularly knowledgeable about skincare and has tested a large number of sunscreens, aloe vera gels, and after-sun products on her own pale, sunburn-prone skin. Her picks for the best aloe vera gels were based on market research, personal testing, ingredient safety and efficacy analysis, and insights from Cosmo editors and experts.
Sarah Maberry is a commerce writer for Hearst Magazines, where she covers fashion, beauty and pop culture. A seasoned trend forecaster and fashion historian, she analyzes viral products and trends on a deeper level. When she’s not writing for Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s BAZAAR, House Beautiful, Town & Country, Delish and other publications, she can be found roaming the Museum at FIT (her alma matter) or sewing her own couture while she binge-watches reality TV.
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