What is the Best Aloe Vera Gel to Use on Irritated Skin?
Most of us associate aloe vera with treating sunburns after a long day spent outdoors—and for good reason. The potent plant is packed with an abundance of vitamins, antioxidants like vitamins E and C and amino acids that help reduce inflammation and moisturize skin.
However, there’s more to the plant besides after-sun care. Aloe vera is a hydrating salve for dry, rough skin, and a calming treatment for any small scrapes, burns and bumps. It also helps to neutralize free radical damage, thanks to those aforementioned antioxidants.
And there’s more: Applying aloe vera to your scalp can help soothe itchiness and remove oil buildup, while locking in moisture and shine to the lengths of your hair.
In short, it’s a gentle but mighty gift from nature that can easily add to your beauty routine. Ready to explore some options with us?
RELATED: Why You Should Be Using Aloe in Your Hair Care Routine
1. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera 92% Soothing Gel
Best for All-Over Use
This K-beauty fav features 92 percent California CCOF-certified organic aloe vera extract that’s refreshing on skin and doesn’t leave behind a sticky film. Tip: Store it in your fridge for an extra cooling effect and rub it on wherever you need to soothe an irritated patch—be it from razor burn or a bout of maskne.
2. Sun Bum Cool Down Hydrating After Sun Gel
Best for Sun Burns
For sunbaked skin that needs instant relief, we’d recommend slathering your limbs (and anywhere else that needs some extra TLC) in this cooling gel. A combination of aloe, vitamin E and tea tree oil work to ease any inflammation, while rehydrating parched and peeling skin. For best results, use it right after you’ve been out in the sun and reapply as often as needed.
3. Alo Yoga Luminizing Facial Moisturizer
Best Face Moisturizer
We love this face moisturizer because it feels lightweight on skin but doesn’t skimp on hydration. Packed with aloe, avocado and marula oil, as well as amla (a vitamin C-rich super fruit), it leaves your skin feeling baby soft and noticeably brighter. Those with sensitive noses will appreciate the unscented formula.
4. Benton Aloe Soothing Mask Pack
Best Sheet Mask
Whether it’s from the sun or from a particularly angry breakout, this soothing sheet mask will help calm things down within minutes. Each fiber mask fits snugly on your face and is drenched in aloe vera extract and aloe vera water to repair inflamed skin.
5. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber De-Tox™ Hydra-Gel Eye Patches
Best Eye Patches
Calling all who are prone to puffy eyes: These refreshing undereye patches are a must for those mornings when you need help deflating. Infused with aloe and cucumber extract, they are instantly cooling, and the added caffeine and arnica tighten and brighten up any shadows. We like to pop them on while we sip our first cup of coffee.
6. Herbivore Botanicals After Sun Skin Soothing Aloe Mist
Best Spray
Fans of facial mists will love this therapeutic formula. Each glass bottle is filled to the brim with soothing aloe vera, mint, and lavender essential oils to calm skin with every spritz. The delicately floral scent is deeply calming as well (which is why it’s become the ultimate midday refresher for us while working from home).
7. Holika Holika 99% Aloe Soothing Gel
Best Packaging
How cute are these aloe-shaped bottles? Cuteness aside, the tubes are easy to squeeze and dispense a controlled amount of aloe in your palm. Better yet, the gel itself has a nice consistency that’s neither too oily or sticky, and it leaves your skin with a soft glow. Smooth it over windburned cheeks to quell any redness.
8. Naturopathica Aloe Cleansing Gel
Best Face Cleanser
This gentle face wash is a great addition to your routine if you’re experiencing more breakouts than usual or seeing flareups that are triggered by dryness like eczema. Made with aloe vera and lactobaciluus ferment, it thoroughly cleanses while replenishing compromised skin.
9. Lily of the Desert, 99% Aloe Vera Gelly
Best for the Family
Made with certified organic aloe vera gel and no parabens, this soothing gel is a safe bet for tip to toe hydration. For best results, apply it just after you step out of the shower. It absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling extra soft and supple.
10. Jason Moisturizing Aloe Vera 84% Shampoo
Best Shampoo
Aloe vera packs a hydrating punch without adding any weight to your strands. This shampoo features 84 percent of the good stuff (certified by the International Aloe Science Council, no less), plus prickly pear seed oil and shea butter to give thirsty hair a drink of moisture, while also soothing an itchy scalp.
11. Aromatica Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Cleanest Formula
If you’re looking for the cleanest aloe you can get, we’d point you to this one. Formulated with 95 percent EcoCert certified organic aloe vera, the gel is simply hydrating and not in the least sticky on skin. We also like that it comes with a pump top applicator for quick dispensing.
12. Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Skin Care Cream
Best for Dry Skin
Looking for a new night cream without breaking the bank? This budget buy is surprisingly rich and features a slew of hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, collagen and vitamin E to nourish dry skin. Note: It has a heavier texture, which is why we typically reserve it for drier winter months and prefer to use it before bed.
13. Everyone Hand Sanitizer Spray Lavender and Aloe
Best Hand Sanitizer
Hands down one of our favorite hand sanitizers, this gentle spray kills germs with 62 percent ethanol (meeting the CDC’s recommendations), while glycerin and aloe keeps your hands from drying out. Plus, the lavender is much easier on the nose than the burning scent of rubbing alcohol that comes with most sanitizers.
14. Beautycounter Hand Cream in Citrus Mimosa
Best Hand Cream
After all of the washing and sanitizing, we like to rub some of this lightweight cream over our palms and knuckles. Packed with moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, vitamin E, aloe, calendula and chamomile, it keeps our hands happy and hydrated without being too greasy. Bonus points for the crisp citrus scent.
RELATED: Aloe Vera for Acne: Does It Really Work to Treat Pimples?
