An expert guide to aloe vera for hair that’ll transform your locks

Tried and tested 😍

Aloe vera for hair

by Lily Anderson |
Updated on

Want to up your hair care regime? If you suffer from dry hair or an itchy scalp, you can revive your luscious locks with aloe vera.

• Read our guide to the best vitamins to help grow your hair

We're absolutely OBSESSED with aloe vera hair products, and we couldn't wait to put some of our favourites to the test. Whatever type of hair you have, there is an option which is right for you.

Whilst we may receive commission for purchases made through our links, we never allow this to influence product selections.

The best aloe vera for hair

Good for dry hair
Garnier Hair Mask for Normal to Dry HairAmazon

Rrp: $22.90

Price: $20.46
Alternative retailers
PrettyLittleThing US$14.00View offer

Jasons Natural Organic Aloe Vera 84% Conditioner
Price: $12.79
Alternative retailers
Walmart$10.01View offer

Faith in Nature Natural Aloe Vera Shampoo
Price: $22.83

Aloe Vera Oil 50m
Price: $13.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$13.99View offer

Keep reading to find our full tried and tested reviews on our favourite aloe vera hair products.

Shampoo
©Getty Images

Expert tips:

Simone Thomas, an award-winning authority in the world of hair health and wellness, shared some incredible tips with us:

“Aloe Vera is a succulent plant species of the genus aloe, the plant has been used for thousands of years to treat various health and medical issues. It comes in different forms from gels, creams, capsules and in some drinks. You can either apply it directly onto your skin to treat various skin conditions or take it as a health and wellbeing product.

“When buying any product, always ensure the aloe vera plant is grown herbicide and pesticide free. You don’t want to be going healthy and as natural as possible to then find out you have nasty chemicals going onto your skin or within your body. It is worth doing a patch test if you have never used aloe vera before as people have been known to be allergic to it.

“Aloe Vera shampoos and conditioners are suitable for all hair types, but are great for those who suffer with dry, itchy, flaky scalp as well as dandruff. It can provide short term relief for those who suffer with eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.”

Now that you have all the information you need to swap to aloe vera hair products, we've tried and tested LOADS of products and here are some of our favourites:

Our results:

For a fair result, I tested out each product on my hair over the course of a few weeks. Please note that I have long, thick hair, which I have never dyed. Results may vary depending on hair type.

Here is what I found:

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Aloe vera for hair

Daily Aloe Conditioner 200ml1 of 8
CREDIT: Green People

Daily Aloe Conditioner 200ml

Overall result: Although a little pricey, this conditioner is totally worth it. What I loved about it the most is that my hair didn't feel as frazzled at the ends from where I frequently straighten it. Smell: This has a beautiful lavender fragrance that remained in my hair until re-washed the next day. Feel: Combined with the shampoo, this left my hair feeling super soft. It also felt creamy to touch and easy to apply to my wet hair. Time left between washes: Needed to wash my hair the next day as my fringe was greasy, however the rest was in great condition. Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Green People Daily Aloe Shampoo 200ml2 of 8

Green People Daily Aloe Shampoo 200ml

Overall result: This is an incredible shampoo for me because it is cruelty-free, vegan and organic. My favourite thing about it is how you only need a little dollop to wash your hair. And I have a LOT of hair so this saves me getting though a bottle a week.Smell: Not as prominent as the conditioner, light notes of lavender do come through, but personally, I prefer the smell when combined with other products.Feel: It is lovely and gentle so you can really massage it into your head. I can only describe it as a spa experience in a bottle.Time left between washes: Found the same results as the conditioner. Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Maui Moisture Colour Protect + Sea Minerals Heat Shield Spray3 of 8

Maui Moisture Colour Protect + Sea Minerals Heat Shield Spray

**Overall result:**This beauty is going to be my new go-to heat spray when I dry my hair. Not only did it leave my hair feeling protected, but I found my mane had no kinks in it, so I didn't have to take a straightener to it.Smell: I'm not exaggerating when I say this smells just like a Piña colada cocktail. It has holiday vibes written all over it.Feel: With some heat protection sprays, I found it has left my hair feeling greasy, however this was not the case with this product. I felt like I had not put anything in it all.Rating: 9 out of 10

Maui Moisture Vegan Bamboo Fiber Aloe Vera Hair Thickening Shampoo4 of 8

Maui Moisture Vegan Bamboo Fiber Aloe Vera Hair Thickening Shampoo

Overall result: I suffer from dandruff because I have psoriasis on my scalp. Since using this shampoo, I've not seen one flake - yay. Smell: The best way I can describe it is that it smells like tropical plants. It's pretty luxurious and would feel right at home in a spa I recon.Feel: When I put this on, it felt like it took all of the moisture out of my hair and I was worried it would leave my already dry strands even drier. But, as soon as I rinsed and added the conditioner, it left my hair feeling silkier than it has ever felt.Time left between washes: It still was looking super fresh three days after washing it - I could have gone a couple more days if I had dry shampooed my fringe.Rating: 9.2 out of 10

Maui Moisture Bamboo Fiber Thickening Conditioner5 of 8

Maui Moisture Bamboo Fiber Thickening Conditioner

Overall result: I've got thick hair, so naturally it's always a tangled mess, and taking a brush to it is my worst nightmare. After the first use, my hair was so smooth I was able to run my fingers through it fine. The next time, I didn't even brush my hair it was in THAT good condition.Smell: Almost identical to the shampoo, but somehow a little sweeter.Feel: Not going to lie, my hair has never felt so healthy. I love the feel - I can't stop touching it, help.Time left between washes: Same as the shampoo.Rating: 9.8 out of 10

Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera6 of 8

Christophe Robin Hydrating Shampoo Bar with Aloe Vera

Overall result: What I love most about this shampoo is that there is no plastic packaging. However, I spent more time rubbing the bar to get shampoo off it, than it took to wash my hair. The result was worth it though because my long locks felt super fresh afterwards.Smell: The best way I can describe the fragrance is that it's natural and light.Feel: This did leave my hair feeling a little dry but was perfectly fine when combined with conditioner.Time left between washes: Two days, but with dry shampoo on the fringe.Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Herbal Essences Sulfate Free Shampoo, Aloe + Avocado7 of 8
CREDIT: Herbal Essences

Herbal Essences Sulfate Free Shampoo, Aloe + Avocado

Overall result: For the price, I was unsure it would keep up with other options available, however, I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing that prevents this from getting top marks is that the lid broke when I opened it. Smell: The best way to describe the smell is by comparing it to freshly cut grass. It's very botanical.Feel: Not only does this shampoo feel light, but it becomes really creamy and lathers well when I massaged it into my hair.Time left between washes: I'm currently on day two of not washing my hair. My fringe usually is my downfall, but no hint of grease in sight.Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Herbal Essences Sulfate Free Conditioner, Aloe + Avocado8 of 8
CREDIT: Herbal Essences

Herbal Essences Sulfate Free Conditioner, Aloe + Avocado

Overall result: From my roots to the ends of my hair, my strands felt replenished. With long locks almost down to my waist, I did need to use a lot for full coverage.Smell: Its scent is exactly like the shampoo: light, fresh and as if it was plucked straight out of a garden.Feel: My scalp often feels aggravated and itchy. After gently massaging this conditioner in, it altered and became soothed. Plus, it left my hair feeling glossy.Time left between washes: Found the same result as the shampoo.Rating: 9 out of 10

Now that you've committed to treating yourself, we spoke to the team at Green People, who specialise in natural and organic beauty products to help answer some BIG questions that we had about aloe vera:

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Aloe Vera hair benefits

The essential nutrients and vitamins that are present in aloe vera make it an ideal ingredient for shampoos and conditioners. Combined with oils like avocado and jojoba, aloe vera is intensely conditioning and helps to restore shine, leaving your hair smoother and silkier.

Aloe Vera also helps to balance the natural pH levels of your hair and scalp, which supports healthy hair growth and retains moisture in the scalp, reducing the dryness that can lead to dandruff.

The polysaccharides in aloe vera juice help to lock moisture onto the hair shafts and the scalp, reducing dryness and helping to control frizz. In addition, the amino acids in aloe vera add strength and lustre to the hair.

Unlike shampoos that contain other smoothing agents such as silicone, Green People’s organic aloe vera shampoos do not cause build-up on the hair surface, which can lead to dullness.

Does aloe vera hair products actually promote hair growth?

Aloe Vera is rich in vitamins A, C, and E which contribute to cell turnover, promoting healthy cell growth. Also rich in vit B12 and folic acid which can help prevent hair loss. Aloe vera contains something called proteolytic enzymes, which repairs dead skin cells on the scalp. It also acts as a great conditioner and leaves your hair all smooth and shiny. It promotes hair growth, prevents itching on the scalp, reduces dandruff and conditions your hair.

Should I be worried about experiencing any side effects to using aloe vera?

There are no side effects of using products containing a good grade of aloe vera. Pssst... Green People only use the inner fillet of pure certified organic aloe vera as the leaves contain an irritant.

Does aloe vera reduce dandruff?

For flaky-scalp sufferers, a product combining the proteolytic enzyme Bromelain and aloe vera will give positive results after a few hair washes.

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