Looking for a dermatologist recommended Aloe Vera gel?

As a dermatologist, I love using aloe vera gel for myself and my patients. Do you know why? Aloe vera is one of the most powerful skin-repairing herbs. It is rich in

• minerals (zinc, magnesium, and selenium)
• enzymes (catalase and superoxide dismutase)
• amino acids (cysteine, anthraquinones)
• vitamins (B2, B6, E and C).

No wonders aloe vera has a composition as rich as an anti-wrinkle cream.

Aloe vera extracted at home is best. But it goes stale without refrigeration. Therefore, began my search for the best aloe vera gel available in the market.

Dermatocare team scanned the ingredient list of common brands of aloe vera gel available in India, US, UK and Canada. Many popular brands have chemical ingredients in the form of harmful preservatives, colours, thickeners or additives. I am sure you would not like to put a chemical on your skin under the cover of a natural product.

In this article, I have covered the following topics:

• 6 tips to find pure aloe vera gel
• Best aloe vera gel in India
• Best Aloe Vera gel in US, Canada and UK

RELATED ARTICLE: 9 ways to use Aloe Vera for skin and hair

Tips to find dermatologist-recommended aloe vera gel

As a dermatologist, I have a passion for recommending minimal skin care products to give maximum results. I don’t recommend layering of products. A simple CTM routine is best for everyone. Similarly, I prefer to use pure aloe vera gel. I combine it with a variety of natural ingredients to cure skin problems like acne, dandruff, psoriasis, ageing skin etc.

1. 100% purity is not possible

The most important thing that you should look for while buying aloe vera gel is “the ingredient list”.

It should NOT read “100% pure aloe vera gel”

100% pure aloe vera gel is NOT possible. Aloe vera gel extracted from the plant has a thin consistency and it cannot stay without preservatives. Therefore, thickener and preservatives are absolutely necessary to make aloe vera gel that can withstand the wear and tear of packing, storage and transportation.

2. Natural thickeners like Xanthum gum or seaweed

Following thickeners are used for making aloe vera gel:

• Carbomer (safe, but synthetic): Carbomer is a synthetic thickener. It is used for making most of the aloe vera gels available in the market.
• Xanthan gum (safer, Natural): Xanthan gum is a naturally derived thickening agent. It work at a concentration of less than 1%. That is why pure aloe vera gel would mention “99%” on their pack rather than 100%.
• Seaweed (Safest, Natural and anti-ageing): Seaweed not only thickens aloe vera juice but also has anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits. At present, only Seven minerals aloe vera gel has seaweed as the thickening agent.

3. Safe preservatives like potassium sorbate

Aloe vera will go stale without preservatives. Avoid preservatives like parabens and formaldehyde releasers. Go for safer preservatives like TLC, potassium sorbate, malic acid etc.

4. Should be transparent

You should avoid colour additives.

If aloe vera gel is green and NOT transparent, then do not buy it!

5. Fragrance-free

Avoid aloe vera gel that smells really floral.

That means it has added synthetic perfumes. Aloe vera gel has a fresh mild fragrance of its own, despite the absence of fragrances.

6. Avoid open jar packing

Aloe vera gel oxidises on exposure to the air.

Prefer packing with the following specification:

• Air tight packing: Flip-open bottles, tubes or pump packing does not expose aloe vera to air. While, in open jar pack aloe vera gel is exposed to air each time jar is opened. Secondly, you have to dig your finger into the aloe vera in an open jar. This increases the chances of contamination.
• Tinted or opaque bottles are better that transparent.
• Glass packing is better than plastic. Chemicals from plastic like BPA might enter aloe vera gel, especially when the gel gets heated during transport or storage.

DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED ALOE VERA GEL IN INDIA

•  99% pure aloe vera gel
• Xanthan gum is a safe thickening agent.
• Potassium sorbate as a safe preservative.
• Tinted flip-open bottle packing.

Available ON AMAZON.IN

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.IN 

•  99% pure aloe vera gel
• In addition it has glycerine, Vitamin E, allantoin, Sodium PCA as hydrating and soothing ingredients
• Xanthan gum is a safe thickening agent.
• Potassium sorbate is a safe preservative.
• Pump packing
• Has IFRA certified allergen-free fragrance

Mamaearth Aloe Turmeric Gel

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.IN

This is the second variant of Mama earth aloe vera gel. It has turmeric in addition to all the benefits listed in the above variant of this gel. This can be used for acne-prone skin.

DERMATOLOGIST RECOMMENDED ALOE VERA GEL IN US, UK AND CANADA

Interestingly popular brands of aloe vera gel contain carbomer as a thickener, formaldehyde releasers as preservatives, and chemical additives. We are listed only those brands that display the full ingredient list and fulfill our criteria.

Seven Minerals aloe vera gel

Seven Minerals tops our list because it is the only brand with seaweed as a thickening agent. Seaweed has anti-ageing and anti-inflammatory benefits. All other brands use Xanthum gum as the thickening agent. Like other brands listed below, it is 99% pure aloe vera gel. Potassium sorbate is preservative.  Tinted flip-open bottle packing preserves potency of aloe vera.

INGREDIENT LIST: USA Grown Organic Aloe Vera, Agar (natural thickener), Citric acid (to stabilize pH), Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), Potassium sorbate (for 2-year shelf life). Does NOT contain CARRAGEENAN.

Available online in:

• United States: Amazon.com 
• United Kingdom: Amazon.co.uk