7 Best Aloe Face Washes (+ How To Make Your Own)
You’ve probably seen aloe vera in many beauty products, specifically ones used to calm and soothe the skin. But did you know that aloe vera makes an incredible face wash, too?
Aloe vera is a gel-like substance that is obtained from the aloe plant. It is full of vitamins, antioxidants, and anti-aging components.
Not to mention, it’s incredible at moisturizing the skin.
Aloe vera also has powerful cleansing properties: it’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal.
It gently sloshes dirt, makeup, and dead skin cells all without stripping your skin.
Aloe vera is basically the perfect face wash gifted to us by nature.
Why make complicated chemical products that do the same thing when you can find a simple, nature-based cleanser made with aloe vera?
Or maybe even make one yourself.
So, what are the best aloe face washes?
We’ve done the research and put together a list of top aloe face washes that hydrate, clean the skin, and make your face feel soft and moisturized. We also included a simple recipe for you to make an aloe vera face wash at home.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it.
Aloe Face Washes Buyer’s Guide
What should you look for when shopping for an aloe face wash?
They are not all made the same. Here are some things you’ll want to be aware of before you buy one:
Additives
Most aloe face washes on the market aren’t made with just aloe vera.
They include some helpful (and sometimes unhelpful) ingredients to enhance the cleanser’s effectiveness.
Some additives that make a good aloe face wash are moisturizers like hyaluronic acid.
Although aloe vera is very moisturizing on its own, adding hyaluronic acid and other moisturizers can be especially helpful for those with dry skin.
Other great ingredients found in aloe cleansers include botanical extracts to help tone the skin, acids to help with natural exfoliation, and vitamin C to help brighten the complexion.
On the other hand, some face washes contain ingredients that you might want to avoid, such as parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and harsh soaps.
The beauty of aloe vera is that the gel-like substance naturally creates a cleansing foam when mixed with water, so you don’t need to rely on any additional soaps and sulfates.
Pay attention to the ingredients label to make sure your aloe face wash contains nourishing ingredients.
Quality
When purchasing any skincare product, always prioritize quality.
If your face wash comes from a reputable brand, undergoes testing, and is recommended by dermatologists, you can rest assured it’s a quality product.
Quality matters when cleansing your skin.
You don’t want to use something with questionable ingredients or made from subpar aloe plants.
Natural ingredients can be grown in a variety of environments, including pesticide-ridden areas that you should stay away from if you don’t want to harm your skin and your health.
We ensured our list of recommended aloe products includes only the highest-quality ingredients.
Best Aloe Face Washes
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | COOLA Organic Glowing Greens Facial Cleanser | Aloe, cucumber, seaweed, and celery leaf extracts leave your skin cleansed & glowing |
| 2. | TONYMOLY Clean Dew | Gentle yet powerful foam cleanser that’s perfect for oily skin |
| 3. | Replenix Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera | Powerful acne wash that doesn’t dry out your skin and soothes irritation and blemishes |
| 4. | Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser | Very hydrating cleanser that combines the moisturizing benefits of aloe vera and squalane |
| 5. | Aloe Attiva pH POWERBALANCE Natural Gel Cleanser | Luxurious and moisturizing aloe vera cleanser that balances the pH levels of the skin |
| 6. | HOLIKA HOLIKA Aloe Facial Cleansing Foam | Aloe vera cleanser that is 93% aloe vera - hydrating and comes in a cute aloe-shaped bottle |
| 7. | Nature Republic Cleansing Gel Foam | A simple aloe vera gel cleanser that is gentle enough for sensitive and irritated skin |
1. COOLA Organic Glowing Greens Facial Cleanser
This refreshing face wash by COOLA gently cleanses your skin and infuses it with purifying plant juices.
In addition to aloe vera, this face wash contains cucumber, seaweed, and celery leaf extracts.
For those who want a cleanser that detoxifies, soothes, and refreshes the face while preserving their natural skin barrier, this is the perfect product.
This cleanser is gentle and moisturizing, leaving your skin feeling fresh, clean, and radiant after use.
It can be used in the morning and at night before the rest of your skincare routine.
We love that this face wash is made primarily with organic ingredients and relies on natural plants to deliver beautiful results.
It’s fragrance-free, vegan, and dermatologist-tested.
Although you get more than just aloe vera in this cleanser, it’s a great, well-rounded face wash that works well for all skin types.
2. TONYMOLY Clean Dew
For those with oily skin, nothing beats a gentle, yet powerful, foam cleanser.
This Korean beauty face wash is formulated with a real forest dew complex and contains a fresh aloe vera extract to moisturize and hydrate the skin.
Despite its foamy consistency, this aloe face wash does not dry out the skin or damage the skin’s moisture barrier.
Leaving your face feeling fresh, clean, and smooth.
If you want to start your day with a feeling as fresh as a walk through a sunny forest after a night of rain, this product is for you.
The TONYMOLY Clean Dew face wash is made with natural ingredients, has a pleasant scent, and leaves your skin feeling clean and soft.
3. Replenix Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Wash + Aloe Vera
If you’ve been struggling with acne, don’t sleep on this cleanser from Replenix.
This product contains medical-grade ingredients to fight acne, including 10% benzoyl peroxide.
If you’ve used anti-acne face wash before, you know the conundrum.
On one hand, you need something powerful enough to target those zits, and on the other hand, you need something gentle enough to calm and soothe your skin.
Well, this product has it all: an effective soap-free non-drying acne-fighting complex and a soothing aloe vera formula that leaves your skin feeling moisturized.
This cleanser helps target the problem while eliminating common side effects of benzoyl peroxide, such as redness and dryness.
With regular use of this Replenix aloe vera face wash, your skin will become smoother, more precise, and more hydrated.
4. Biossance Squalane + Amino Aloe Gentle Cleanser
With this Biossance cleanser, you can expect a satisfying, deep clean through a gentle foaming gel that envelopes your skin in an antioxidant-rich, non-stripping formula.
This face wash can remove dirt, makeup, and pollution, allowing your skin to breathe freely.
All without stripping your skin’s natural oils that keep it supple and hydrated.
An effective amino acid complex breaks down impurities, helping eliminate pore-clogging dirt.
Aloe vera leaf juice calms and soothes for glowing skin, while squalane delivers deep, fast-absorbing moisture.
In addition, Biossance is committed to clean, high-quality ingredients, so this face wash is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and free of parabens and synthetic fragrances.
For those who struggle with dry skin, this Biossance aloe face wash is a perfect solution.
Not only do you get the hydrating powers of aloe vera, but you also get a burst of squalane, one of the most moisturizing skincare ingredients out there.
5. Aloe Attiva pH POWERBALANCE Natural Gel Cleanser
This luxurious aloe cleanser from Italy will leave your skin feeling pampered and soft.
This cleanser is formulated to balance your skin’s pH so it’s at the perfect level for health and beauty.
Made with a potent aloe elixir, seven types of hyaluronic acids, and moisturizing plant oils.
This face wash infuses your skin with moisture and hydration while healing and smoothing out your complexion.
This product is dermatologist-tested and supported by clinical studies. It has been shown to brighten the complexion by 25%.
This cleanser gently lifts away dirt, oil, makeup, and toxins while leaving your skin perfectly hydrated and glowing.
Made with no fragrances or other artificial ingredients, this cleanser is an excellent choice for those who value natural, high-end ingredients.
6. HOLIKA HOLIKA Aloe Facial Cleansing Foam
This aloe vera face wash comes in a beautiful bottle shaped like an aloe leaf.
It features aloe vera that has been matured for at least 3 years to extract the most skincare benefits and vitamins.
The cleanser is made out of 93% aloe vera, so it’s almost pure aloe.
The remaining 7% comprises organic botanicals, including lemon balm, cucumber, lotus, watermelon, and others.
The natural formula delivers powerful moisture and soothes your skin.
Made with small molecules, it absorbs moisture into the skin almost instantly.
The face wash comes out of the bottle as a clear jelly that quickly transforms into a thick and creamy foam on your face.
It can cleanse your face from dirt, sweat, toxins, and even makeup, all while leaving your skin moisturized.
We love this affordable aloe vera face wash for its clean ingredient list and simple but effective formula.
7. Nature Republic Cleansing Gel Foam
This Nature Republic aloe vera gel face wash is excellent for people with sensitive skin.
Formulated without parabens, talc, or artificial dyes.
This foam cleanser contains pure California Aloe Vera gel and hydrates your skin while cleansing.
Users love this cleanser for skin that is red, rashes, sunburn, or other sensitivities.
Nature Republic has packed this cleanser with a high percentage of high-quality aloe vera, making it highly effective at soothing and calming the skin.
How To Make Your Own Aloe Face Wash
Making your own aloe vera face wash is a great way to have an all-natural cleanser that is tailored to your skin’s concerns.
It gives you more control over the ingredients and helps you avoid putting unwanted chemicals on your skin.
Despite what you might think, it’s not difficult to make your own face wash using aloe – you don’t need a lot of ingredients or any special equipment.
DIY Aloe Face Wash Ingredients
Depending on how crafty you are, you can source your ingredients at organic markets or make some of them yourself.
For example, you can purchase pure aloe vera gel or squeeze it out yourself by cutting off several stalks of an aloe plant.
Here is what you’ll need to make a simple DIY aloe vera face wash:
- ½ cup pure aloe vera gel
- ½ cup distilled water
- 2 tbsp castile soap
- 2 tsp jojoba oil
- (optional) a few drops of essential oils of your choice – e.g. lavender oil, chamomile oil, tea tree oil – depending on your skin concerns
- A bottle with a pump
DIY Aloe Face Wash Recipe
- Combine all of the ingredients in the pump bottle
- Seal the bottle and shake it for 3-5 minutes until the contents are well mixed.
- Your aloe face wash is ready to use!
How To Use Your DIY Aloe Face Wash
Your aloe face cleanser can be used much like any other face cleanser.
Because you added castile oil, it will cause the aloe and other ingredients to foam when exposed to water.
To use, pump the aloe cleanser into the palm of your hand once or twice. Add a little bit of water and rub your palms together to form a thick foam.
Rub the foam over your face for 1-2 minutes.
This allows the ingredients to attach to impurities on your skin’s surface, such as makeup, dirt, and sweat.
Finish off by rinsing the foam off your face with water. Your skin should feel clean, fresh, and hydrated!
How To Harvest Your Own Aloe Vera
If you decide to harvest your own aloe vera, you’ll need a healthy aloe plant.
Aloe plants are common as houseplants, and you can find them at most nurseries and gardening supply stores.
To get ½ cup of aloe vera gel, you’ll need 1-3 aloe leaves.
Cut them off at the base using a sharp knife. Then, carefully remove the skin and place the remaining gel into a blender.
Blend the gel-like pieces until they become homogeneous and malleable.
The aloe vera gel is now ready to use in your recipe.
What Essential Oils You Should Use
Adding essential oils to your DIY aloe face wash is optional, but they can help target additional skin concerns and add a pleasant scent.
If aloe helps moisturize and soothe the skin, and castor oil helps remove impurities, then essential oils can help address more specific issues, such as acne and eczema.
Here are a few common essential oils that you can use in your DIY face wash:
- Lavender essential oil – reduces inflammation and balances out moisture
- Chamomile essential oil – helps soothe and calm the skin, reduces redness
- Tea tree oil – fights bacteria and acne
- Eucalyptus essential oil – fights inflammation and reduces pain, moisturizes itchy and painful skin.
