Aloe vera is one of the most versatile plant-based ingredient on the market. It has an uncountable amount of uses, treating everything from sunburn to dandruff, arthritis to digestive problems. It's also good as a moisturiser for hair and for face, and soothing skin after shaving or after waxing. It's truly one of those miracle cure-all plants that we could all benefit from incorporating into our routines.
Luckily there are a great many Aloe vera gels to choose from, including those from big brands such as Seven Minerals, Banana Boat and Amara. We've trailed the never-ending list available on sites like Boots and Amazon and created this guide to help you choose the right one. After our buying guide, head on to our recommendations to compare our top picks.
Quick List - Top Aloe Vera Gels
SatinNatural
A Blend of Aloe Vera, Jasmin and Spirulina to Help Improve Skin Elasticity
Felipe Partarrieu is a dermatologist, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
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Table of Contents
Felipe Partarrieu is a final year dermatology resident, who is GMC registered with a full licence to practise in the UK. Specialising in cosmeceuticals, facial skin care, and hair disorders, we worked with Felipe to bring you top quality information to help you make informed buying decisions and understand more about what goes onto your skin.
Aloe vera is one of the most common plant-based ingredients used in cosmetics, found in everything from aftersun to lip balm. It's packed with antioxidants and over 150 active ingredients, giving it potent medicinal, healing, nourishing and moisturising properties.
The gel itself is extracted from the leaves and used to treat multiple conditions on our skin, hair and bodies. It's commonly used for scalp issues such as stunted regrowth and flaky dandruff and can work wonders for skin conditions like eczema.
Its anti-inflammation properties also assist in healing wounds, burns and skin rashes, making it one of the most popular ways to treat sunburn, especially if you have sensitive skin. So all in all, it's a good one to have in the bathroom cabinet!
Aloe vera gel is a great product to use on your hair. It can nourish, repair and condition damaged hair or follicles, and has even been known to help with hair growth. It works by coating your hair in a thin, nutritional layer which blocks toxins from reaching the strands and locks-in the moisture in your hair.
It can also moisturise and strengthen your scalp, hydrating and protecting the skin and easing itchiness from dandruff. If you want to use Aloe vera on your head, check the product label first to make sure that it is suitable. If it is, you can mix it with water and use it as a leave-in conditioner.
Aloe vera contains enzymes that directly promote healthy hair growth. These proteolytic enzymes can eradicate dead skin cells on the scalp that could be clogging the hair follicle, not allowing for the proper penetration of nutrients in the hair.
Also, aloe vera’s alkalizing properties can help bring the scalp and hair’s pH to a more desirable level, resulting in further hair growth promotion while helping the hair retain water and moisture. One recommendation would be to use aloe vera gel as a pre-shampoo treatment to reduce buildup and dandruff.
As one of the most natural products that you can apply to your face, Aloe vera gel has become one of the best organic alternatives for your daily skincare routine. It hydrates the skin, locking in moisture in the cells, which helps promote a vibrant complexion. It can also moisturise chapped, swollen or cracked lips. One of the best things about Aloe vera gel is that it is usually suitable for all skin types, even sensitive.
As well as being used for general skincare, Aloe vera can also treat multiple surface conditions that are causing you pain or irritation, such as eczema or psoriasis. It contains a multitude of antioxidants and amino acids which work to calm inflamed skin, cooling it down very quickly and effectively, healing any damaged skin in the process. It can also be used as a natural way to treat hyperpigmentation.
Aloe vera has many properties that might be useful for the symptomatic treatment of skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema. Aloe vera exerts immunomodulating, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It also has antipruritic properties that can alleviate itching and dryness present in these diseases.
Studies have shown that Aloe Polysaccharide (APS), the main macromolecule of aloe vera, effectively reduces the effect and gene expression of the pro-inflammatory molecules responsible for the overproliferation of keratinocytes and overactivation of inflammatory pathways present in psoriasis and eczema.
Just as some products are specifically designed to treat certain conditions, some are multi-purpose. If you want to add this wonder-plant into your routine, using it for your skin, hair, face and nails, then an all-purpose product would be best. Incorporate it into your facial routine, rub it on cracked heels, use it for after-sun care, or to calm areas after shaving or waxing – the uses for Aloe vera gel really are endless!
Browse our best after-suns for kids and after-suns for adults while you're here!
Aloe is readily available in nearly every skincare product – from cleansers and serums to moisturizers and sunscreens.
However, there are plenty of aloe vera gels in the market meant to be used in multiple capacities, such as after-shaving gel and as a medicine for cuts, burns, black rings and scars. These products usually contain other soothing ingredients such as Vitamin E and Jojoba oil.
Aloe vera gels have varying levels of aloe in them, and when shopping, the rule of thumb is 'more is more'. Ideally, you want to get as close as possible to 100% natural Aloe vera, but as a minimum, it should be at least 90% from pure aloe vera. Some gels contain additional ingredients which may or may not be beneficial to what you need, so check if those add-ins actually assist you.
It also bodes well to be aware of some of the popular marketing tricks present on labels. A product that claims '100% Aloe vera gel' is not what you want – it should say it contains '100% Aloe vera' or '100% pure aloe vera'. Also, check that the ingredient's list doesn't note 'water' as its first (and therefore main) ingredient for a better-quality gel.
It's important to differentiate products made from aloe vera juice (the one that comes directly from the leaf) from those made from aloe vera concentrate (mixture of water and freeze-dried powdered aloe).
One easy way to achieve this is to look at the ingredients list: The first ingredient of the list from a gel that's made from aloe vera gel should be 'Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice', whereas an aloe vera gel made from concentrate should list "Water" as the first ingredient.
Aloe vera is a natural product, which in its purest form shouldn't irritate even the most sensitive of skins. That is, however, until any additional ingredients are added. Products with added alcohol or fragrances can leave a sticky white residue that could cause problems, and any additional chemicals involved are usually a no-no for easily-aggravated skin. So make sure to check the ingredients list before you buy.
When it comes to skincare products, it might seem that the list of ingredients to avoid is growing longer each day, but some ingredients are necessary for a formulation to be stable and can offer benefits.
Also, every person is different: what may cause sensitivity for you might work for somebody else. People with sensitive skin should avoid artificial fragrances or "parfum", Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative), formaldehyde, and phthalates.
Aloe vera gels with the highest quality are those that haven't been subjected to multiple rounds of processing. You want your gel to be as close as possible to the substance that comes directly from the plant.
If it is processed at a factory using heat, the natural compounds of the gel will be interfered with, making the nutritional quality (and therefore the value of the product) decrease dramatically. To make sure you're picking an authentic, quality gel, choose one which is produced naturally and goes through a very minimal process.
Need more moisture? Explore our favourite body lotions.
The production process of aloe products involves crushing, grinding or pressing the entire leaf of the aloe vera plant to produce its juice, followed by various steps of filtration and stabilisation of this juice. Aloe's active ingredients begin to decompose and lose their effectiveness soon after harvesting.
To avoid this, aloe must be processed within four to six hours to ensure it remains bioactive. The only way to ensure these procedures have been properly followed is to buy products certified by the International Aloe Science Council (IASC), a non-profit trade organisation dedicated to providing the world with the highest quality of aloe.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | All-Purpose Aloe Vera Gel Designed for Treating Rashes, Burns and Cuts | |
2 | Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | Cold-Pressed Organic Aloe Vera That’s Suitable for All Skin Types | |
3 | SatinNatural Organic Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | A Blend of Aloe Vera, Jasmin and Spirulina to Help Improve Skin Elasticity | |
4 | Lily of the Desert 99% Aloe Vera Gelly | ![]() | The Cooling Solution Perfect for Soothing Sunburned Skin | |
5 | Nurifi Pure Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | Bulk Tub of Aloe Vera for Moisturising Skin and Hair | |
6 | BOT Cosmetics & Wellness Aloe Vera 99% | ![]() | 99% Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E for Treating Psoriasis, Eczema and Other Skin Conditions | |
7 | bleu & marine Bretania 100% Natural Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | Industrial-Sized Aloe Vera Gel With Handy Pump Dispenser | |
8 | Aloe Pura Laboratories Organic Aloe Vera Gel|Pack of 3 | ![]() | Aloe Vera Gel With Tea Tree Oil for Insect Bites and Acne | |
9 | PraNaturals Pure Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | Vitamin-Packed Aloe Vera Gel Made in the UK | |
10 | Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel | ![]() | A Gentle Solution for Soothing Sore and Sunburned Skin |
Being 99% aloe, this gel from Seven Minerals is our first choice. Made from organic, freshly-cut Aloe vera leaves, this is a pure product containing only Aloe vera and seaweed (agar) extract as well as a tiny amount of natural preservatives. The agar helps the gel to absorb quickly, without leaving behind any sticky residue.
The formula has multiple uses but has been specifically designed for treating rashes, burns and cuts. It's gentle, soothing and cool and reassuringly simple – just make sure, as with any product, to test it out before applying it liberally to your face.
Containing 99.75% Aloe vera grown organically, this gel works for all skin types. It's super thick, which makes it a great all-rounder for skin, hair and nails, but it's especially good at moisturising dry skin. It contains no added fragrances, colouring or alcohol, making it suitable for post-shaving or waxing, treating wounds and cuts and soothing sunburnt skin.
Being cold-pressed, this is one of the purest products on the market as most of the plant's nutrients have been saved. The formula also contains citric acid, which is a natural preservative and helps restore the pH balance.
A bonus of SatinNaturel's product is that it comes in a dark glass bottle. This protects the gel from UV and IR rays so that it doesn't lose any of its beneficial properties over time. Suitable for all skin types, this is an excellent natural alternative to moisturiser.
This gel contains 97% aloe, which may seem lower than some, but they haven't let the rest go to waste – jasmine oil helps boost the metabolism of skin cells, and spirulina improves elasticity. Panthenol, hyaluronic acid and citric acid have also been added to improve absorbency and hydration.
Lily of the valley's product is one of the most cooling solutions on the market, making it an excellent choice for after-sun care. Able to penetrate down to three layers of skin, this gel works its way through multiple layers, increasing its effectiveness and working quickly.
With a 99% concentrate of Aloe vera, this is a very pure product. The other 1% is made up of a blend of healthy vitamins, including natural extracts like bamboo. Free from parabens, alcohol or fragrances, it's perfect for sensitive skin, although not particularly suitable for oily skin types.
This Aloe vera gel from Nurifi is a little different than some due to its form. This cream-in-gel has an unusual consistency, but has a nice smooth texture that is absorbed into the skin easily. It's creamy, so the product doesn't run off, or leave behind any residue, but makes your skin feel soft and moisturised.
It's suitable for any skin or hair type, including the sensitive kind. One of the best things about this product is that you get a whole kilo of the stuff for a great price – perfect for if you're using it for various applications. The downside is the slightly unpleasant smell, which doesn't linger, but it's there!
The gel product from BOT doesn't just contain Aloe vera but also has a lot of tocopherol, or vitamin E. This gives your skin a natural glow and shine whilst slowing down ageing, making it an excellent choice for a natural moisturiser. Unfortunately, the effects do wear off so you may need to reapply throughout the day.
This particular gel has received rave reviews for treating all sorts of skin conditions from psoriasis and acne to eczema. When massaged into the scalp, it can also help alleviate dandruff and stimulate hair growth. It's suitable for any type of skin, including the more sensitive kind.
This industrial-sized pot of aloe gel is excellent if you use a lot of it! You will not need to replenish your stock for ages, even if you use it every day. It's versatile, meaning it can be used from head to toe, but has been known to be specifically good as a facial cleanser, removing blackheads, calming breakouts and moisturising dry skin.
Unlike similar products, this gel contains only natural Aloe vera, a little seaweed for absorption, and vitamin E. Though the large size is handy, you do need to be careful to store it in the dark for it to retain its unique healing qualities.
This gel from Aloe Pura is one of the best buys if you're looking for versatility. It contains fully organic aloe vera, along with a little tea tree oil. The combination of these two raw ingredients is excellent at soothing and restoring damaged skin. The tea tree oil also has antiseptic properties, which assist in healing burns.
The gel isn't greasy but is quickly absorbed as it glides on to your skin. Not only is this a great moisturiser, but it can also be used to treat itchy insect bites, scratches and wounds, and even eczema or acne. Again, however, a small amount of alcohol and chemical ingredients have been added.
Soothing and hydrating, this aloe gel from PraNaturals has been created using their unique hypoallergenic formula. Packed with vitamins including A, C, E, B1, B2, B3, B6 and B12, this product is filled with beneficial ingredients. It's also vegan, cruelty-free and made with organic Aloe vera leaves.
Plus, this product is made in the UK, which will appeal to the eco-conscious. It also contains citric acid to balance its pH, making it much safer for sensitive skin. However, while no sulphates or parabens have been used, it does contain add-ins which could irritate some conditions.
Hailed for being a godsend for sunburn, the Banana Boat Aloe Vera gel does wonders to soothe damaged skin. With an ingredient list containing Aloe vera, glycerin and urea, it's specially formulated to treat sunburn, as it moisturises, calms, and prevents any further skin damage.
The consistency is soft, not sticky, and doesn't leave a greasy residue on the skin. It also feels remarkably lightweight and quickly sinks in. While an effective aftersun for most people, it has water and alcohol as its first ingredients as well as several additives, so won't suit those wanting something completely pure.
Aloe vera gels should last up to around 2 years, though this can vary among brands so you should always check the label of the product. The main change you may notice will be the decreased moisturising results, however, if the product starts to smell off, it’s a good indicator to cease using it.
Aloe vera can be fantastic for acne because of its antibacterial properties and the fact that it contains vitamins A and C and enzymes. However, you should be cautious with gels that contain various chemical ingredients as you may find that they further aggravate acne or dry out skin, especially if you are particularly sensitive.
Written and researched by Roxy Pratley
No. 1: Seven Minerals|Aloe Vera Gel
No. 2: Amara Beauty|Aloe Vera Gel
No. 3: SatinNatural|Organic Aloe Vera Gel
No. 4: Lily of the Desert|99% Aloe Vera Gelly
No. 5: Nurifi|Pure Aloe Vera Gel
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