In the medical and beauty world, any item that is able to withstand the high pressure of new competitors entering the industry (and shelves) nearly every single day must be doing something right. This is definitely the case with aloe vera, a key ingredient that has been used in countless products as a natural remedy for a slew of skin problems and ailments for centuries.
Derived from the aloe vera plant, aloe vera gel is one of the most common ingredients found in products in both the pharmacy and beauty aisle. Its natural soothing and cooling properties are great topical treatments for minor burns, cuts, and scrapes. Have a sunburn? You’re going to want to put some aloe vera gel on that, stat. Have an area of skin that is beginning to heal and scab over? We recommend aloe vera gel to keep the area from cracking and reopening the wound.
Not only is aloe vera great for soothing and cooling skin, it also has anti-inflammatory properties. This works great for sunburns as well, but aloe vera is also an excellent treatment for skin that is red and sore, common side effects from things like harsh elements or rubbing from clothes.
Because of aloe vera’s long history of treating more first-aid based skin issues like burns, cuts, and scrapes, we often forget that aloe vera gel is also a great lightweight moisturizer. The same anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that make it ideal for treating burns also make it a great moisturizer for dry and even acne-prone skin. Aloe vera gel has a natural base which makes it light enough to use for people with regular dry skin as well as those who suffer from more extreme conditions, like psoriasis.
You could always grow an aloe vera plant and cut open one of its lease to get the gel in its most natural form. But that’s a lot of work. It also makes traveling with your aloe vera gel a bit of a hassle, since the plants don’t always grow under 3.4 oz. Instead, we recommend these great aloe vera-based moisturizers to help combat dry skin.
1. Botanic Hearth Aloe Vera Gel
We like our post workout juices like we like our moisturizers – cold pressed. The Botanic Hearth Aloe Vera Gel Is comprised of 99.7% organic, coldpressed aloe vera. There are no harmful chemicals, added colors, fragrances, or alcohols included in the moisturizer. This is about as close as you can get to chopping down an aloe vera plant and smoothing the gel on your skin.
PROS: Can also be used to moisturize your hair
CONS: Watery base
2. Aloe Infusion Body and Face Moisturizer
Aloe Infusion Body and Face Moisturizer is made with natural super-plants and organic seed and nut extracts, including organic aloe vera and shea butter to hydrate the skin, along with grape seed oil and kukui nut oil, which can help treat common skin conditions like acne. Aloe Infusion not only helps to treat and heal dry skin, including extremely dry patches that have been affected by eczema, the face and body moisturizer also protects the skin and locks in the body’s natural moisturizers. Using all natural, all organic ingredients, Aloe Infusion boasts a huge following thanks to its long list of benefits, including anti-aging properties, skin tightening effects, and the ability to shrink brown spots.
PROS: May help to aid against many skin problems.
CONS: Might not be best for people with super-sensitive skin.
3. Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera
Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera is made from California CCDF certified organic aloe vera, with the soothing gel providing a fast absorbing and non-greasy moisturizer that is safe for use on the face, arms, legs, and body. The high concentration of aloe vera in the moisturizer also helps to firm skin, making it appear more youthful. The most affordable moisturizer on the list, Nature Republic Soothing & Moisture Aloe Vera Still packs an impressive amount of aloe vera, giving similar benefits to its higher-end competitors.
PROS: Most affordable option on our list.
CONS: This product might contain a fragrance that can cause skin irritation.
4. Aloderma Pure Aloe Vera Gel
Aloderma Pure Aloe Vera Gel is great for anyone who suffers from the many side effects of dry skin. The hydrating gel helps combat dry skin causes and can treat eczema, dandruff caused by dry scalp, and sore, blistered skin that’s been sunburned. The gel is safe enough to be used on babies and can double as a face mask, hydrating and firming skin around the eyes and lips. The gel doubles as both a beauty and safety product, adding moisture back to the scalp as a leave-in conditioner and treating skin that’s been irritated by bug bites and rashes, even helping to treat acne.
PROS: Can help with many different skin issues
CONS: Formula doesn’t agree with every skin type.