After extensive research on numerous aloe vera gel products, we selected NaturSense Organic Aloe Vera Gel as our Top Pick and the best aloe vera gel. We liked that this pick was produced through a cold-press process and was free from chemical thickeners that can leave a sticky residue. We think it’s perfect to use as a topical solution straight out of the bottle or as a base for DIY beauty treatments. If you also want to check out products that can help you track, boost, or even improve your health, open our health wellness page.
To create our guide, we looked at the following key features: aloe vera content, texture, ingredients, the processing method, and the container. We know that to be worthwhile, a product should contain at least 90% aloe vera gel. But we also prioritized organic options that didn’t include harsh ingredients. We focused on true gel textures but did include one alternative, and also paid attention to the packaging for ease of use. Keep reading to learn more about our selection process and to shop from our recommendations.
Top 7 Best Aloe Vera Gels
#1 NaturSense Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Award: TOP PICK
WHY WE LIKE IT: A 99.75% pure gel made from cold-pressed aloe that’s free from chemical thickeners makes this the best aloe vera gel for eczema.
- Cold-pressed processing for 99.75% purity
- Great base for DIY beauty recipes
- Organic aloe free from chemical thickeners
- Not ideal for DIY hand sanitizer recipes
One of the biggest concerns about aloe vera gel is the other ingredients in it that can impact how easily you can use the gel, as well as if you’ll experience side effects. We think this gel from NaturSense is the best aloe vera gel for eczema since it’s free from alcohol, a known drying agent. This pick is made from cold-pressed processing and then filtered through charcoal for added purity.
You’ll like that this gel contains 99.75% aloe vera gel and comes in a 12-ounce bottle — making it perfect for a range of DIY skincare and hair applications. And even though this pick contains xanthan as a natural plant-based thickener, it won’t leave a sticky residue when you use it. However, we did note through our research that people attempting to make homemade hand sanitizers may find that this aloe vera gel can become stringy when it comes into contact with rubbing alcohol. In the summer, it’s definitely important to have aloe vera as part of your bathroom essentials.
#2 Seven Minerals Aloe Vera Gel
Award: HONORABLE MENTION
WHY WE LIKE IT: A xanthan-free aloe vera gel formula that absorbs quickly without a sticky residue and is made from food-grade ingredients for added peace of mind.
- Alcohol-free non-drying formula
- Sourced from USDA OTCO certified fields
- Made from only 5 food-grade ingredients
- Some people may be allergic to the natural preservatives used
Seven Minerals aloe vera gel is our Honorable mention because it’s made from five food-grade ingredients, which will give you peace of mind as you use it. Those ingredients include certified organic aloe vera leaf juice, seaweed extract, citric acid, ascorbic acid, and potassium sorbate. The seaweed extract is used in place of xanthan or carbomer, so you’ll like that this translates to a fast-drying gel that won’t leave a sticky residue.
This pick is also alcohol-free so it won’t dry your skin or hair. Note though that this gel is made from aloe vera juice instead of powder, so you may find that it’s stronger than traditional gels found in pharmacies or grocery stores. Still, we liked that this was a thicker gel that didn’t have a watery texture. If your kids have been spending a lot of time in the best kiddie pool, you might want to have this aloe vera on hand.
#3 Nature Republic Soothing Moisture Aloe Vera Gel
We’re sorry, this product is temporarily out of stock
Award: BEST ON A BUDGET
WHY WE LIKE IT: A K-Beauty pick in a large 10.56-ounce jar that’s perfect for topical uses and creating DIY beauty recipes, making it one of the best aloe vera gels for acne scars.
Read Full Review: Nature Republic Soothing Moisture 10 56
- Quick dissolving with no sticky residue
- 92% certified organic aloe vera leaf extract
- Free of parabens, artificial colors, & mineral oil
- Contains alcohol as an inactive ingredient
Nature Republic is a popular Korean beauty brand that has a strong fan base in the U.S. — and for good reason. The beauty powerhouse is known for creating products that are as effective as they are gentle. If you’re looking for a good aloe vera gel that’s gentle and can serve as the base for your DIY skincare recipes, then we think you’ll like this Best on a Budget pick.
While it has one of the lower aloe vera gel contents at 92%, the fact that it’s a beauty industry favorite for skincare recipes makes it one of the best aloe vera gels for acne scars, homemade masks, and sleeping packs. This pick is free from parabens, artificial colors, and mineral oils while still dissolving quickly without leaving a sticky residue. It’s also perfect for use on your hair or to soothe irritated skin. You might want to bring aloe vera along the next time you pack up the best two-person tent for your next camping trip.
#4 Kate Blanc Cosmetics Aloe Vera Gel
Award: BEST QUALITY
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best aloe vera gel for hair that’s lightweight, perfect for setting edges or even creating intensive pre-poo hair treatments.
- The non-sticky formula doesn’t contain xanthan gum
- Great for mixing with oils for moisturizing treatments
- 8 oz container for frequent use
- Some may not like the watery texture of this gel
If the thought of xanthan gum in your aloe vera gel makes you nervous, then you’ll like our Best Quality pick from Kate Blanc. This is, in our opinion, the best aloe vera gel for hair care needs. While the lack of xanthan gum means the texture is a bit more watery for this gel, we like that it’s also a non-sticky formula which means you can use it as a pre-poo moisturizing treatment before washing your hair, or as a way to set edges so that your natural hairstyle looks perfect.
And as is common with aloe vera gel, it can of course be used for a range of topical skincare treatments and as a base for DIY skincare recipes. We liked that this is also an eight-ounce bottle. While it’s not the largest size we discovered through our research, we still think that this is more than adequate for the average aloe vera gel user. This small size makes this aloe vera easy to bring along the next time you’re out riding on one of your best bikes, in case of sunburn.
#5 Earth’s Daughter Aloe Vera Gel
Award: BEST FOR SKINCARE
WHY WE LIKE IT: A gentle formula that’s 99.75% organic and locally sourced in the U.S. that comes with an ebook of DIY recipes makes this the best aloe vera gel for baby skin, as well as being great for adults.
- Comes with a free ebook of DIY recipes
- Fast absorbing with no residue
- 99.75% organic locally sourced in Texas
- Contains xanthan gum
For some people, buying skincare products can be a stressful experience when they don’t know where the ingredients are sourced. We think this pick from Earth’s daughter is ideal for skin care uses and especially for sensitive skin, making it the best aloe vera gel for your baby. The 99.75% organic formula is derived from aloe vera gel that’s sourced in Texas. While it does contain xanthan gum, we think in this case it’s a good thing since trying to apply lotions or gels to a wriggly baby can be hard enough without the added mess of a watery formula.
Like most aloe vera gels, this pick also absorbs quickly and won’t leave a sticky residue. This pick is also alcohol-free and doesn’t contain any added fragrance or color for added peace of mind. You’ll also get a free ebook of DIY aloe uses and recipes so you can use this wonder plant in nearly every facet of your life. If your kid is sunburned from a day spent out on their best skateboard, you should also read our guide to the best skateboard for beginners.
#6 Amara Beauty Aloe Vera Gel
Award: BEST VEGAN-FRIENDLY
WHY WE LIKE IT: A cruelty-free, vegan-friendly formula that’s free from harsh additives and is 99.75% organically derived for a clean beauty product that the whole family can use.
- Cruelty-free formulation
- 99.75% organically derived formula
- Perfect for skin and hair care treatments
- Those with sensitive skin may experience irritation from natural preservatives
When you’re vegan, shopping for skincare products can be a frustrating experience since many items contain unexpected animal byproducts. So the Amara Beauty gel is a great option for the vegan community. In addition to being vegan-friendly, this pick is also cruelty-free, meaning you can rest easy that no animals were used for research during the production of this product.
The Amara Beauty pick is another 99.75% organic aloe vera gel-based formula. It’s also free of parabens, dyes, and fragrances and can be used for a range of topical needs including DIY hair and skin treatments. Do note though, that while it’s organic and all of the ingredients are naturally derived, we did note through our research that people with sensitive skin may experience irritation due to the acidic preservatives and stabilizers — specifically the citric acid, ascorbic acid, and potassium sorbate. Planning to undertake a detox regimen? Check out our best-activated charcoal guide.
#7 Fruit of The Earth Aloe Vera Gel
Award: BEST FOR SUNBURNS
WHY WE LIKE IT: The best drugstore aloe vera gel with a large 12-ounce capacity that’s alcohol-free, doesn’t contain fragrance or dyes, and can be slipped into your beach bag.
Read Full Review: Fruit of Earth Aloe Vera 100 Gel
- Alcohol-free formula won’t dry skin or hair
- Large 12 oz container for a variety of uses
- Free of fragrance and dyes
- Misleading packaging implies 100% aloe vera gel content
When you’re in a pinch and suffering from sunburn, a quick run to the store means you’re probably going to come across Fruit of the Earth’s aloe vera gel. We think this is the best drugstore aloe vera gel and probably one of the best aloe vera gels for sunburn too if you’re trying to find relief when you’re out and in a pinch. You’ll appreciate that this large 12-ounce squeeze bottle of aloe vera gel is alcohol-free so it won’t dry out your skin or hair.
It’s also fragrance and dye-free and is made from fresh aloe vera leaves. However, we do want to mention that while this is a fan favorite for drugstore buys, the branding is a bit misleading. While the product description is “Aloe Vera 100% Gel”, the 100% is referencing that the texture is a gel, not that it’s 100% aloe vera gel. A quick look at the ingredients list shows that while aloe vera gel is the primary ingredient, the remainder includes a range of chemical-based stabilizers and preservatives. Now, would you like to improve your baby’s health by improving the quality of air in the baby’s nursery? Choose a quality humidifier in our best humidifier baby guide.
How We Decided
Aloe vera gel is a great multipurpose health and beauty tool that should be a staple in most homes. To create our guide, we looked at the following key features — aloe vera content, texture, ingredients, the processing method, and the container. The majority of the picks in our guide contained at least 90% aloe vera gel with most being 99.75 percent aloe gel. However, one recommendation failed to disclose how much aloe vera gel was used in their formula.
We know that texture is also important as some people prefer a traditional gel feeling while others might be okay with a more watery texture. Our Best Quality recommendation was the only pick we found through our research with a truly watery texture.
Ingredients also matter, except for one pick, the majority of our recommendations relied on natural ingredients to create their gels. However, keep in mind that natural ingredients don’t mean that there aren’t drawbacks. Common issues we found were skin irritation to natural acid-based preservatives. And in some cases, if you’re trying to use aloe vera gel to make homemade hand sanitizer, the gel may not mix properly with rubbing alcohol, leading to a messy concoction that’s unusable.
With the organic-based picks, (six of the seven), the gel was usually cold-pressed and domestically sourced. And we also noted a range of container packaging. While squeeze bottles were the most popular, we did note that screw-top jars and pump dispensers were also options for this product category.
Best Aloe Vera Solution Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Factors to Consider
- Aloe Vera Content
Just because a product is labeled as having aloe vera in it doesn’t mean that the aloe plant is the primary ingredient. Ideally looking for options that are at least 90% derived from the aloe vera plant. Likewise, you should consider whether you want an organic pick with fewer chemical ingredients. - Texture
While most aloe vera gels have that stereotypical gel texture, you can find some that are more watery. Think about how you plan to use the gel and find the option that works best for you. Topical options like treating insect bites or anti-aging skin treatments usually work best with a gel texture. - Ingredients
Besides the aloe, you also need to consider what other ingredients are in there. Part of determining this will depend on how you plan on using your aloe vera gel. As a general rule, avoid options with colors, fragrances, or harsh ingredients if you’re using this gel for skincare. If you’re trying to treat severely irritated skin (like a sunburn or postpartum recovery), then additional ingredients like topical pain relievers can be ideal to help soothe irritated skin. Just remember that aloe vera gel that promises to numb the skin shouldn’t be used on cuts or open wounds. But if you’re using aloe for hair or skin, you’ll want an option that’s free of drying agents like alcohol. - Processing Method
You’ll find that some aloe vera gel is made by cold pressing, which means that the aloe leaves aren’t heated to create the gel. Meanwhile, others heat the gel, which allows for quicker processing, but can strip out some of the nutrients. - Container
Aloe vera gels come in a range of product packaging. This can range from screw-top jars to squeeze and pump bottles. There’s no right or wrong option, it’ll come down to a matter of personal preference.
