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For those times when you forgot to apply your SPF as diligently as you should, aloe vera gel can be a skin saver (Bonus: It has the reputation Stop wasting money on sticky, green gunk that doesnt workthese options soothe skin fast, too).

“The clear, jelly-like substance in the inner part of the [aloe vera] leaf contains glycoproteins, which reduce inflammation and swelling from a sunburn,” says Zaineb Hassan Makhzoumi, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.D., assistant professor in the department of dermatology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a Mohs surgeon, specializing in a technique that treats skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas. Applying aloe vera gel can also help prevent peeling that’s often associated with a burn.

What’s more, the aloe vera plant is a source of vitamins E and C, antioxidants that help suppress free radical formation, says Nazanin Saedi, M.D., a dermatologist with Jefferson University Hospitals in Philadelphia.

But there’s a catch: According to ConsumerLab.com, previous lab tests discovered that out of 10 aloe products tested, only five contained what the company expected based off product labels, and two products contained almost no aloe at all. To avoid a fake, make sure the main ingredient on the label reads as “aloe vera gel,” and don't buy anything with “aloe latex”—a laxative that may be carcinogenic. (The brands listed below haven’t been tested, with the exception of Amara Organics, which did contain true aloe.)

Some aloe vera gels also contain the pain-relieving ingredient lidocaine. You’ll be better off buying one that doesn’t have any of these added ingredients to reduce the risk of irritation, says Saedi.

And while you want to make sure you’re using the real deal, if you apply an aloe vera gel that happens to have no aloe in it, you’re not going to harm your skin—and you may still get sunburn relief, Saedi adds.

Store the bottle in your fridge. The cold gel will take away the heat of the burn, and the cooling sensation has an anesthetic effect for pain relief, says Saedi. Apply it twice a day, adds Makhzoumi.

Tight Hamstrings? Heres How to Treat Them A Part of Hearst Digital Media in the first place. “If you find yourself having to reach for aloe vera gel often, it’s time to evaluate your sun protection methods,” says Makhzoumi. “Even one blistering burn can double your risk for skin cancer.” To stay protected and burn-free, she recommends applying SPF 80 when spending time outdoors and reapplying every two hours.