Advertisement

Best Aloe Vera Gels for Sunburn in 2023

Take the natural approach after a long day at the beach
Aloe cream
This plant is a popular source of relief for sunburn and other ailments. Pixabay

From earliest times, people recognized something special about the aloe plant. Aloe vera gel has long been lauded for its vast array of health benefits. Ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, and American Indians all used aloe vera to treat everything from baldness and insomnia to burns, fevers, and wounds. An ancient Sumerian clay tablet depicts aloe being used for digestive benefits as far back as 4,000 years ago.

We’ve chosen several gel products from what the Egyptians hailed as the “plant of immortality.” While the Egyptians might have been overselling it a little, there’s no doubt you’ll find something in aloe’s long list of healing properties to enhance your own health and wellness.

Organic Aloe Vera Gel with 100% Pure Aloe From Freshly Cut Aloe Plant, Not Powder - No Xanthan, So It Absorbs Rapidly With No Sticky Residue - Big 12 oz

More potency

A seaweed extract is used to thicken the product instead of synthetic chemicals. Amazon

Seven Minerals presents their pure and organic aloe vera gel made with no xanthan, carrageenan, or carbomers – synthetic materials commonly found in lotions that can irritate people with sensitive skin. It’s harvested in southern Texas from fresh-cut aloe leaves instead of powder, making this gel one of the highest in purity and potency. To avoid the sticky or watery texture that’s often a complaint with pure aloe products, Seven Minerals uses an all-natural seaweed extract as a thickening agent instead of a synthetic one. Combining that with a unique cold-pressed process gives this gel a smooth, silky texture. As a result, it absorbs quickly into your skin and leaves no residue. Packed with over 200 active natural compounds, this product comes with a free 47-page e-book detailing the many ways to use them. Did you know Cleopatra applied pure aloe vera gel to her skin as part of her beauty regimen? Thankfully you don’t have to be royalty to obtain the same benefit in yours.

Advertisement
Organic Aloe Vera Gel - 100% Pure Aloe Gel for Face and Body - A Fresh Aloe Vera Plant, No Powder - Sunburn Relief - Aloe Vera Gel for Hair - Manuka Honey And Vegan Stem Cells - Made in the USA (8oz)

A powerful combination

The phytochemicals moisturize, rejuvenate, and encourage new skin cells to generate. Amazon

Among aloe vera’s many attributes are two naturally occurring hormones that contain wound healing, anti-inflammatory properties. Put that together with apple and orchid stem cells, cucumber, and manuka honey, and this product by Honeyskin packs a powerful antioxidant punch. What’s great about manuka honey is it’s both antibacterial and bacterial resistant – meaning bacteria won’t build up a tolerance to it. Apple stem cells protect skin from stress, fight wrinkles, and promote the growth of human stem cells. Honeyskin also throws cucumber into the mix, which is well known for reducing inflammation as well as hydrating and firming your skin. The result is a robust recipe for radiant skin in a bottle. Were you aware the incredible aloe is also helpful in fading dark spots? Whether caused by sun exposure, acne, or natural aging, a compound called “aloesin” can reduce these dark areas known as hyperpigmentation.

Fruit Of The Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel 24 oz (2 pack)

No color added

It’s not easy being green, so this product sticks to the natural color. Amazon

If you’re looking for strictly aloe vera gel, Fruit of the Earth provides just that. This product comes in two 24-oz bottles in a clear gel with no color added. The whole family can use it to soothe sunburns, scrapes, or insect bites, as the aloe alleviates inflammation and promotes quicker healing. Bring one on vacation and keep the other one on hand at home. It’s also a useful remedy on stretch marks or a dry scalp. Aloe vera contains antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E and beta carotene, which hydrate dry skin. Besides its many topical uses, did you know you can also drink the juice of the aloe plant? It’s a rich source of antioxidants that fight free radicals in your body. This means decreased risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer. The juice is praised for controlling blood sugar, preventing ulcers, and can even be used as an effective mouthwash since it inhibits the bacteria that cause plaque. If you decide to drink it, be sure to choose a commercial-grade, certified organic juice and do not ingest a gel product.

NaturSense by NTRSNS Organic Aloe Vera Gel - Great for Face, Hair, Sunburn Relief, Acne, Razor Bumps, Psoriasis, Eczema, Dry Skin Hydration - 12 oz

One of the purest products

It is cold-pressed to retain the many medicinal properties of the potent strain of the plant. Amazon

Unless you squeeze the gel out of an aloe leaf itself, this is just about as organic as a product gets. Superior filtered, NaturSense offers a thin, silky gel free of nearly all stabilizers and thickeners. Food grade in purity, it can remain fresh for two years without refrigeration. All-natural aloe can vary in color by season, and NaturSense aloe comes in four respective seasonal hues. Use it alone or combine it with your favorite natural lotions. It comes with instructions on how to blend this pure gel with other ingredients to make your own natural care products like hand sanitizer or hair conditioner. It’s believed aloe vera may improve your absorption of other botanical herbs and vitamins. Aloe also contains cooling properties similar to menthol, which is why it’s so popular to soothe sunburns and other minor burns.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Email Newsletters and Special Offers

Sign up for Islands emails to receive features on travel destinations, event listings and product reviews as well as special offers on behalf of Islands’ partners.

By signing up you agree to receive communications from Islands and select partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy. You may opt out of email messages/withdraw consent at any time.

Advertisement