Top 5 Aloe Vera Gels of 2023: Ultimate Guide!

Aloe vera is one of the most amazing plants in the world. It has many health benefits that not all people know about. Though we always see skincare products with aloe vera, it is an ingredient that is always taken for granted. The best aloe vera gel is not only effective but also contains more aloe vera extract to ensure that your skin gets the care it deserves.

The dosage depends on the brand of the product you are using. Creams and gels, in particular, have varying doses. Some creams intended for minor burns only contain 0.5% of aloe vera. So, you need to check the product you are using.

What Does Aloe Do?

The gel produced in the aloe vera plant contains compounds called anthraquinones. These compounds have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce swelling and pain when applied to the skin which is part of the reason the gel is such a popular remedy for burns, minor wounds, and itching. Because the gel is thick and cool to the touch, it’s able to stay on your skin and create a cooling sensation which also helps.

Our Criteria for Ranking Aloe Vera Gel

We looked at a few factors in determining which aloe to review. These include:

Content and Quality

This means the percentage of actual aloe included in the gel, plus the other ingredients that have been mixed with it. Are they more natural or chemical? Is it a lot of filler? Will it dry your skin out after too long? Are there other ingredients that help moisturize or reduce burning and itching? Is it organic? Cold pressed? Does it source from the higher quality inner leaf or do we not know? 

Effectiveness and Absorption

This refers to how well the product works once applied. Does it spread easily or is it clumpy? Does it feel cooling and smooth or is it sticky and hard to work with? How fast does it absorb? Is there a residue? How long does the relief last?

Price and Value

This very simply refers to how much it costs and whether it’s a good value for the money? Is it a good price plus a large quantity? Is it overpriced for the quality?

Brand Reputation

This factors in due to the unfortunate proliferation of off brands that offer low quality products which can sometimes include very little aloe or even none at all. Brand reputation isn’t always an indicator of top quality or reliability but company’s with an established reputation are usually easier to find out about and more transparent with ingredients and processes. Likewise they will typically have more reviews from other customers that can help establish whether or not a product is worth investigating further. 

Worth a Check: Best Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is very useful when it comes to the treatment of sunburns. That is why getting yourself a gel will come in handy once you hit the sun. With many aloe vera gel products on the market today, there is stiff competition and few with documented efficacy. To ensure that the product you use will make your skin healthier, check out our top-ranking and best aloe vera gel list!

Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel

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Here’s how Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel held up based on our grading criteria.

Content and Quality: 4.8/5.0 – Organic aloe and natural ingredients like seaweed make this a top quality product. It’s 3rd party tested for purity and effectiveness to ensure the best product.

Effectiveness and Absorption:  4.5/5.0 –  When I tried it the gel absorbed really fast and had a cool, clean feeling. Other customer reviews report much the same.

Price and Value: 4.0/5.0 – Prices may change now and then but I got 12 ounces for under $17 on Amazon. That’s less than $1.50 an ounce. For the quality and effectiveness, it was great.

Brand Reputation: 4.5/5.0 – Seven Minerals is a family owned business that started in 2012. They have built a great reputation in that niche and have the customer reviews to prove it. This product alone has over 60,000 reviews on Amazon.

Overall Score: 4.45/5.0

Pros

• Organic
• I didn’t feel any sticky residue after use
• Available in 3 different bottle sizes
• Proudly grown and made in the US
• USDA Certified

Cons

• May be too strong for some skin types

Specs

• Purity Almost 100% aloe with added natural extracts as thickeners and stabilizers
• Price Just over $1.40 per ounce from Amazon

Features

• Seven Minerals contains 100% freshly cut pure aloe vera from the actual aloe plant itself. Unlike some products that only use aloe vera powder, Seven Minerals made sure that you get 100% pure extract from the plant to boost efficacy.
• On top of the aloe vera they are using, they also use 100% seaweed extract as a natural thickener instead of Carbomer or Xanthan. The seaweed extract is a highly beneficial natural ingredient to the skin and can be absorbed faster without any sticky residue.
• They use aloe vera grown in Southern Texas with USDA certification. The certification assures that products grown are organic and processed according to the guidelines set by federal law.

NaturSense Organic Aloe Vera Gel

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This is how NaturSense Organic Aloe Vera Gel stacks up based on our criteria.

Content and Quality: 4.9/5.0 – Hand harvested, cold pressed and organically grown aloe make up the formulation here which is some of the best quality you can find. The bottle is nearly pure aloe, which is great.

Effectiveness and Absorption: 4.5/5.0 – This stuff goes on smooth and cool and feels great. I tried it on a minor sunburn and also some mosquito bites. Great cooling sensation, no sticky residue.

Price and Value: 4.0/5.0 – Like the previous entry, this worked out to under $1.50 per ounce when I tried it, which is a good price overall. 

Brand Reputation: 4.0/5.0 – NaturSense has been making products since 2014. They’ve established a good reputation for pure, reliable products and this is no different.

Overall Score: 4.35/5.0

Pros

• High organic rating
• All ingredients divulged
• Easy to use for skin and hair

Cons

• 0.25% is synthetic (thickener, preservatives, and pH stabilizer)

Specs

• Purity Certified 99.75% organic
• Price Around $1.50 per ounce

Features

• NatureSense is cruelty free and not tested on animals.
• Their organic content is certified by both The Texas Department of Agriculture and the USDA National Organic Program
• Silky textures feels great going on and I didn't notice any sticky residue after it dried

Bighture 100% Aloe Vera Organic

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Here’s how Bighture stacked up based on our rating critera.

Content and Quality:  4.9/5.0 – At 99.75% organic aloe content you’re not going to find a more pure brand. Basically you need to use an aloe plant itself to get more pure. And the 0.25% here is just a small amount of stabilizers and thickening agents.  

Effectiveness and Absorption: 4.8/5.0 – As you’d expect, this gel goes on very cool, very smooth and very easily. It feels great and it didn’t leave a residue when I tested it. 

Price and Value: 4.5/5.0 – Bottle is smaller than some others but the price per ounce is still cheaper at under $1.30 per ounce when I bought it. That means it’s the best value for the purest quality.

Brand Reputation: 4.4/5.0 – Possibly the biggest criticism as the company, Bighture, does not have a big presence online. But other customer reviews reflect a solid experience and a long warranty plus 24/7 customer service means the company is doing their best to give you a good product plus good service.

Overall Score: 4.65/5.0

Pros

• 100% Natural and Organic
• Cold-pressed and factory bottled
• Extra-strong formula
• Great for both oily and dry skin types

Cons

• May be too strong for those with sensitive skin types
• Need to be kept away from sunlight

Specs

• Purity 99.75%
• Price About $1.30 per ounce on Amazon

Features

• One of the most affordable aloe vera gels on the market, especially for the purity
• It is natural and organic. It does not have any fragrance, color, or alcohol.
• Because of the purity you can easily use this as a base to make your own DIY beauty and skin care products
• 18-month free warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied

Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel

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This is how Nature Republic scored based on our criteria.

Content and Quality: 4.0/5.0 – 92% aloe is not the highest, of course, but it’s still much better than some other low cost brands. 

Effectiveness and Absorption: 3.5/5.0 – Does feel smooth and cool going on but there is a bit of a residue I noticed notice once it was absorbed. It’s not sticky, but it does dry kind of tight like a second skin.

Price and Value: 5.0/5.0 – This one’s our budget choice for a reason, the price here is great. Mine was under 75 cents per ounce. You’ll be hard pressed to find a product of any good quality cheaper than that.

Brand Reputation: 3.0/5.0 – Possibly a point against it as this Korean brand, Nature Republic, is not widely known in the West. Still, the gel seems to be good quality and their customer reviews are generally positive.

Overall Score: 3.88/5.0

Pros

• CCOF certified
• Great for sensitive skin
• Smells nice
• Refreshing
• Quickly absorbed by the skin
• Moisturizing gel

Cons

• Not totally organic
• Tightness may be felt after gel application

Specs

• Purity 92%
• Price Around $0.75 per ounce on Amazon

Features

• Certified by the California Certified Organic Farmers to have 92% organic aloe vera
• Some of the highest quality aloe you can find at this price point
• Not scent free but the smell is not overpowering and is pleasant overall.
• Designed for sensitive skin types

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel

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This is how we rated Fruit of the Earth based on our criteria.

Content and Quality: 4.5/5.0 – As stated, though it claims 100% pure, it does contain other ingredients in small amounts. Still, it is free of color and alcohol and the aloe is sourced from the inner gel filet of sustainably grown and hand harvested aloe vera leaves.

Effectiveness and Absorption: 4.7/5.0 – Smooth, cool and fragrance free, this stuff feels good when you first apply it. No noticeable residue is left behind.

Price and Value: 4.5/5.0 – This is actually cheaper overall than our budget brand (under 50 cents per ounce) but, because the bottle is so large, it can be a little cost prohibitive because they’re asking you to buy a lot. But if you need or want a lot, then this is a great value.

Brand Reputation: 4.5/5.0 – Fruit of the Earth has been around since 1980. They have a solid reputation for making good quality products and reliable customer service.

Overall Score: 4.55/5.0

 

Pros

• Alcohol-free
• Easily spread and absorbed
• Great for dry skin
• Fragrance-free
• Serves as a non-oily moisturizer
• Made from aloe leaves

Cons

• Unclear how much aloe is in the bottle as 100% refers to the percentage of aloe gel used, not the entirety of the ingredients
• Has stabilizers and preservatives added

Specs

• Purity Unknown but there are additives to stabilize and thicken the aloe
• Price Under $0.50 per ounce on Amazon

Features

• No colors and fragrances added
• Made from the inner gel fillet of sustainably grown and hand harvested aloe vera leaves,
• The gel spreads easily on your skin and feels cool and soothing right away
• Does not clump on the skin and will not mess up your make-up and foundation

Gel vs Cream: What to Choose?

Different brands market their products in various forms. Two of the most popular forms of skincare are gels and creams. But which one is better? And which one is ideal for you to use?

Gels and creams are mostly water-based though their consistency can be different. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages too. Gels are usually jelly-like and transparent, regardless if they have a color or not. Moreover, gels are absorbed into the skin faster than creams. Creams, on the other hand, may have a little bit of added oil in its ingredients and are usually thicker than gels. Thus, creams are absorbed slowly by the skin.

Since gels are mostly oil-free, they are the best choice for people with oily and acne-prone skin. However, that also depends on the concentration of the ingredients used on the product you are using. Like some of the best aloe vera gel we have on this list, dry skin can also benefit from such gels.

In a nutshell, you are the only person who knows your skin type better than anyone else. You have to decide which between an aloe gel or aloe cream will work better for you.

Factors to Consider when Buying the Best Aloe Vera Gel

Do you think that a green aloe vera gel is pure? Buying a natural aloe vera gel can be tricky, especially if some of the manufacturer’s marketing schemes fool you. You need to better equip yourself with the knowledge on how to get the best aloe vera gel that is natural and truly effective to use.

Organic Certification

The trend nowadays is to use products that are as organic as possible. To guarantee that what you are using is really organic, you must look for a certification from reputable certification bodies such as the USDA, among others. Choosing organic products are more beneficial to your skin. Without the harsh and synthetic chemicals used that are mostly more damaging to the skin, your skin will become more supple and smooth.

Aloe Vera Percentage

The percentage of aloe vera used in the manufacturing of the product is a game-changer. It determines the efficacy of the gel and if it will actually work or not. Some companies market aloe vera gel but only use a small percentage of aloe in the production process. At the same time, the rest of the components are made up of synthetic chemicals.

Look for gels that have more than 90% aloe vera. These products, especially those who have higher than 95%, are deemed effective when applied topically. Moreover, it guarantees that the gel does contain more aloe than the other 10% of the ingredients.

Trickster Companies

Beware, consumer! Marketing is marketing. Businesses want to make money even if it means fooling their consumers. So before getting something from the shelf and paying for it, check the brand manufacturer first. Do they have great reviews? Do people talk highly about them? You need to go for a brand that you can trust because it is the only way to ensure that what you are paying for is worth every penny.

Consistency

Have you ever checked a fresh aloe leaf’s gel? If you did, you’d know that fresh, pure aloe vera gel that comes directly from the plant has a thin consistency. The thick gels available on the market already have thickener added. Some of the most common thickeners for thicker consistency are seaweed extracts, carbomer, and xanthan gum.

Check the ingredients label for the thickener used. Seaweed is the best natural thickener of choice, while carbomer and xanthan are synthetically made. Regardless, all three are deemed safe for human use.

Preservatives and Additives

No matter how organic and natural products claim to be, there is still a dash of preservatives and other additives. This is to make the shelf life of the best aloe vera gel longer. Some safe alternatives that can be used as preservatives are ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate.

Longevity

Longevity holds the answer if you want to know whether you got the best aloe vera gel or not. The shorter the shelf life is, the purer and more natural the product is. This is because it does not contain many preservatives to extend its shelf life. To get the purest version of aloe vera gel, grab the bottle that says it won’t last long.

Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel

Did you know that aloe vera is considered a miracle plant? That is because there are many health benefits that you can get from this small green plant. Aloe vera gel is an impressive addition to your skin and hair care routine with the following advantages:

Soothes and Treats Sunburns

While lounging on that camping chair or swimming or boating, your precious skin is exposed to the harsh rays of the sun. Sunburns sting a lot, and they are painful. To help soothe the burn, applying the best aloe vera gel can be the answer. Aloe vera has a calming and refreshing effect that your badly damaged skin needs when sunburnt.

Moisturizes and Hydrates Skin

Since aloe vera gel is absorbed quickly by the skin, it acts fast in moisturizing and hydrating dry skin. It is also great to use for people with oily skin since it helps unclog pores and remove impurities.

After-Shave Treatment

Aloe vera gel isn’t only great for women but men too! Because of its soothing and hydration effects, it helps heal razor burns and nicks and cuts brought about by shaving. So chuck out those synthetically-made after-shave treatments, and grab a bottle of the best aloe vera gel instead!

Remedy for Insect Bites

Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory. When insect bites happen, it reduces the swelling and the inflammation caused by the bite. Moreover, it contains natural antiseptic properties that enhance your resistance to infection. It also eases itchiness and redness so that you won’t be uncomfortable and uneasy.

Helps in Wound Healing

Aloe vera gel can penetrate the skin faster than water. That ability, coupled with its natural healing properties, can speed up the healing of wounds while keeping yourself free from infection. It also aids in faster skin cell reproduction, which promotes quicker wound healing in the affected area.

Eczema and Psoriasis

These are two skin conditions that some people are suffering from. With the help of an aloe vera gel, you’ll experience reduced eczema and psoriasis symptoms. Since the affected person usually has dry, inflamed, and itchy skin, the moisturizing and healing properties of aloe vera help alleviate these problems. Applying the best aloe vera gel twice a day can significantly help.

Healthy Hair

Aloe vera gel may not be a shampoo or a conditioner, but you can still use it to improve your hair health. Aloe vera has many essential minerals and vitamins that help in hair growth. It also increases the blood circulation on your scalp and repairs dead skin cells. Furthermore, aloe vera helps keep your dandruff at bay! So you can say goodbye to those white flakes now.

With these and so many more benefits, using aloe vera gel is a great addition to your care regimen. So make sure that you get one gel handy in your bag all the time. After all, you’ll never know when a situation calls for it.