Best Aloe Vera Gel Brands
For Acne, Face, Hair & DIY
(+Organic Options)
The saying “if it’s cheap it’s probably because it’s fake” is often right, unfortunately.
When it comes to a versatile product with health benefits and beauty applications, aloe vera may be what you are looking for.
That’s what those seeking to make a quick buck are counting on.
As in the case of knock-off Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel in Malaysia, using fake products resulted in health problems serious enough for hospitalization (source).
Granted, this was an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the fake product, but should you be spending your money on fake anything?
Even when products do contain actual aloe vera extract, using chemicals and alcohol on your skin isn’t the best idea either.
As you'll soon find out...
Finding a good quality, authentic gel that isn’t filled with chemicals can be hard; but we made it our mission to find out what the best aloe vera gel is for your skin, face, acne, and even your hair.
Page Contents
The 5 Best Aloe Vera Gels
1. Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Our Verdict: Best for Sensitive Skin
Ingredients:
- Certified Organic Aloe Vera
- Seaweed extract (natural thickener)
- Citric acid (to stabilize pH)
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Potassium sorbate (to prevent mold)
- Does NOT contain CARRAGEENAN
Pros:
- Contains a seaweed extract (agar not carrageenan) as a thickener which is helpful if you are sensitive to xanthan, carrageenan, or other common thickeners like carbomer which usually requires questionable chemicals to stabilize it.
- Aloe vera concentration is 99%.
- It has a thin gel-like consistency that mixes well in DIY products and when used by itself is non-greasy and non-sticky.
- Cold-pressed to ensure quality.
- This 12 fl. oz bottle is priced well. The size and price make it the best option if you enjoy making DIY personal products or need to apply it to larger areas.
Cons:
- The seaweed extract can block pores in some people so if you have acne-prone or oily skin this product may not be the best match for you.
- Not certified cruelty-free.
2. Aloe Vera Farm Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Our Verdict: Best Budget Buy
Ingredients:
- Organic Aloe Vera Juice
- Ascorbic Acid (preservative)
- Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (preservative), Xanthan (thickener)
Pros:
- Uses organic aloe gel and has all natural ingredients so safe you can even ingest it.
- Works well as a standalone product and as an ingredient in DIY personal care products.
- Priced very well compared to other organic aloe gels.
- Comes in a large 32 oz bottle so you will have plenty to use for many applications.
Cons:
- This aloe gel uses potassium sorbate and xanthan as preservatives and thickeners. While they are some of the safest (and natural) ingredients for this function, some users find them irritating to their skin.
- This gel can be quite watery as it uses only a small amount of xanthan as a thickener. You may find that this doesn’t provide the best consistency for your needs.
- Not certified cruelty-free.
3. Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel
Our Verdict: Best Aloe Vera Gel for Acne
Ingredients:
- Organic Aloe Vera (99.75%)
- Citric Acid
- Potassium Sorbate, Ascorbic Acid, Xanthan
Pros:
- The gel is cold pressed which ensures better quality.
- The aloe vera concentration is 99.75%, so it’s very close to pure.
- It’s easy to use in DIY products.
- A little goes a long way so this 8 fl. oz bottle will last you quite a while.
- Non-sticky and will not interfere with your makeup if you like to apply it as a moisturizer before doing your face.
- Works well for acne-prone skin as it doesn’t clog your pores.
- Cruelty-Free
Cons:
- Some people may find the potassium sorbate and xanthan irritating to their skin.
- It can be quite sticky as it dries so you need to wait before getting dressed or applying makeup.
- The gel is quite thin which many enjoy but it may be a little more liquid than preferred.
4. Sky Organics Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Our Verdict: Best Cruelty-Free Aloe Gel on a Budget
Ingredients:
- Organic Aloe Vera Gel (99.5%)
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
- Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan
Pros:
- Cold-pressed to ensure quality.
- Non-GMO (No Genetically Modified Organisms)
- Convenient pump action for easy application and less mess.
- Aloe gel concentration is 99.5%.
- Well priced.
- Comes in an 8 fl. Oz bottle and lasts long.
- Cruelty-free.
- Smells great but contains no synthetic fragrances.
Cons:
- It contains potassium sorbate and xanthan so despite labeled as hypoallergenic it may irritate your skin if you are sensitive to those ingredients.
5. Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
Our Verdict: Best For Travel
Ingredients:
- Aloe Barbadensis
- Citric Acid (preservative)
- Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C as a preservative)
- Potassium Sorbate (as a preservative to guard against bacteria)
- Xanthan (to help coat your skin a little better)
Pros:
- Aloe gel concentration is 99.75%, very close to being pure.
- Cold pressed to ensure quality.
- The bottles are conveniently travel-sized and the pump action nozzle helps to prevent a mess.
- Dries quickly and isn’t sticky or greasy.
- Comes with a free ebook full of ways to use the aloe gel.
Cons:
- This aloe vera gel is a little thinner than some other brands which may be a problem if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Because it dries very fast, you may need multiple applications.
- Not certified cruelty-free
What to Look for When Purchasing
Aloe Vera Gel
When it comes to choosing the best aloe vera gel brand for you, it largely depends on what your skin is comfortable with. It’s very hard to find a pure aloe vera gel because pure aloe goes bad quickly.
That said, you want to look for brands with as few ingredients as possible.
Most reputable natural brands will use either Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and/or potassium sorbate to preserve the gel.
Good natural brands will also use natural thickeners like xanthan or agar as aloe vera gel can be quite watery especially when it’s warm. They will also contain stabilizers such as citric acid or a citrus fruit extract like grapefruit. These ingredients are all plant-based.
Unfortunately, many brands available on the shelves in drugstores contain chemicals - but you should also be aware that even some natural ingredients can be harmful.
Stay away from:
- Carrageenan
- Parabens
- Phthalates (synthetic fragrances)
- Alcohol
- PEG
- Triethanolamine
- Diethanolamine
- Colored gels (real aloe vera gel is colorless)
These common additives, natural or not, can cause skin irritations and over time can cause inflammation as they build-up in your body causing all sorts of nasty problems.
Alcohol is also particularly drying, so if you already struggle with dry skin or frizzy/dry hair, you will only worsen your problem.
Uses for Natural Aloe Gel
Aloe vera is very versatile and while you may have heard of people taking it internally for various reasons, you can also use it externally for some beautiful and healing results.
Aloe Vera for Skin Problems
Aloe has been shown in studies to be a very effective treatment for burns and has been used for centuries for this purpose.
Getting sunburn is the worst after a fun day out in the sun, but the cooling anti-inflammatory effects of aloe vera is so soothing to your scorched skin.
The antimicrobial effects of aloe vera make it great for treating acne, cold sores, and to keep cuts from getting infected. Many people swear by it for helping to minimize scarring and the appearance of stretch marks.
The consistency of aloe vera gel best suited to treat acne is more watery so that you can use it as a toner. Conversely, thicker gel is easier to dab and rub in.
The slightly thicker gels can be used as moisturizers and to put onto larger areas of your body.
Aloe Vera Gel for Your Face
Aloe works well as a moisturizer and toner, just like rose water. This is due to the polysaccharides and skin-loving vitamins (A, C, and E) found naturally in aloe gel.
One of the ways that aloe vera helps to heal wounds is by promoting collagen production in the skin. Collagen is what holds our skin together and ensures elasticity. This can be helpful when it comes to aging skin.
When choosing aloe vera gel for your face make sure that none of the ingredients irritate your face as the skin on your face is more sensitive. So when using concealers, please make sure that you choose a cruelty-free product.
A thicker gel will be better than very watery consistencies if you like to mix it with a carrier oil or if you like clay face masks. But bear in mind that the gel from the real aloe plant, in general, is rather watery.
Gel for Hair
Many hair treatments contain proteins and moisturizing properties that feed and strengthen hair, but aloe vera contains fatty acids and proteins that may do the same.
You can use it as a hair treatment that you rinse out or leave in. In fact, many people enjoy using it as hair gel, even for curls, to give their hair texture, shape, and get rid of frizz.
The antimicrobial properties of aloe vera may also be a helpful treatment for dandruff. The best aloe vera gel for hair will not contain any alcohol. Even if you have oily hair, alcohol is very harsh and is not good at all for dry scalp which can be a cause of oily hair.
Precautions When Using Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera itself rarely causes allergic reactions but it isn’t unheard of either. Most of the time the problem is usually the other ingredients in the product.
A patch test for any new product that you use is always advised, whether it’s a natural product or not.
Beware of Fakes
Because natural products are not regulated very well by the FDA, less reputable companies often get away with claiming that their aloe vera products are genuine aloe vera.
Many products on the shelf; such as several shampoo brands, either contain very little aloe vera or even none at all despite it being listed in the ingredients.
In addition to that, HealthListed also have a review of the best jojoba oil in the market today. I suggest that you go and take a look. I'm sure you'll be interested to know its benefits and effectivity.
Unfortunately, if it’s very cheap, it’s probably fake or contains a lot of potentially harmful chemicals.
That said, below are our favorite real products:
Our Top 3 Picks
- Best aloe vera for face, especially acne: Amara Organics Aloe Vera Gel won’t clog your pores and many people with sensitive skin can use it too.
- For travelers: Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel is great for easy application and travel-sized bottles.
- For those on a budget who want a good quality natural product: Aloe Vera Farm Organic Aloe Vera Gel comes in a competitively priced 32 oz bottle and is organic.
Please let us know if you have tried any of these products and if they worked well for you.
Which aloe vera brand is your favorite? What is your favorite use for this healing gel?
Last Updated on July 20, 2020
