The Best Aloe Vera Gels, Lotions and Sprays for Sunburn

Cetaphil makes a propriety gel-cream hybrid that soaks into the skin quickly without leaving the surface slick. Plus, not only will it treat the burn — by cooling it and reducing inflammation — but it’ll deescalate other issues exasperated by prolonged exposure to the sun.

Three ingredients in Sun Bum’s aloe gel directly address sunburn: aloe, tea tree oil and vitamin E. All three offer sensory relief by cooling the skin — put your gel in the fridge for further relief — and even deeper damage reversal through rehydration.

Public Goods’ straightforward aloe gel boasts a formula free of parabens, dyes and fragrances. It goes on clear, doesn’t stain clothes or couches and absorbs rather easily.

Whether or not Maui Island’s secret “burn-to-brown” formula really does accelerate the healing of burns and the arrival of toned skin remains to be seen, but the gel does offer relief from excessive sun exposure, courtesy of a combination of menthol, aloe and tea tree oil.

Putting aloe gel on your face feels weird. (Trust me, I’ve done it far too many times.) Instead, as long as you’re not in need of immediate, emergency relief, use an aloe lotion like Burt’s Bees’ After Sun Soother. Water and coconut oil are the lotion’s foundation, and botanicals, antioxidants and citrus notes form the lotion’s top layer.

I can’t lie. In the summer, using a product like Coola’s Radical Recovery lotion everyday would be a dream come true — even if I hadn’t been overexposed to the sun in the hours leading up to applying it. Positioned as a daily lotion over last-ditch damage control, it’s formulated with agave, aloe and lavender.

Even if you’re on the sands of coastal New Jersey, Hawaiian Tropic’s ultra-soft Body Butter will transport you to somewhere exotic. It’s infused with a classic coconut scent and blended with coconut and avocado oil and shea butter. TLDR: this is an ultra-rich lotion that’s easy to rub in.

Of course there’s a lotion literally called Sunburnt. Their line of products promise “much more than aloe,” but there’s aloe in all of ’em. Specifically, this lotion features aloe, marigold, cucumber, coconut and seaweed. It feels great — non-greasy, fast-absorbing — and accelerates your skin’s return to normalcy.

Oars + Alps’ non-aerosol Cooling Spray uses aloe and Kukui oil to restore and rejuvenate your skin post-sun. The fatty acids from the latter ingredient provide moisturizing properties, while aloe does exactly what I described above, cools the skin to the touch and soothes it further as it soaks in. Plus, it goes on non-greasy.

Herbivore’s aloe spray applies like a fine mist — reminiscent of sea waves spraying your face. (Pretty picture, but this was pre-burn.) A formula comprising aloe, lavender and spearmint oils, and witch hazel turn down the heat and help heal damaged skin.

Aloe, cucumber and vitamin E work in tandem to address the most common sun-caused ailments: warmth, sensitivity and dryness. The brand suggests applying some before you seen and no more than 80 minutes after for the most comprehensive relief. (Sort of hard to predict you’ll get sunburnt, I’ll admit.)

Aloe vera, seaweed and antioxidants aid your skin along in its recovery. (Poor skin.) Mint and chamomile calm it more immediately, triggering a soothing sensation that’ll help having sunburn slip your mind.