Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel

Tom Rinks spent years in advertising before founding Sun Bum in 2010, and it shows in everything about this brand — from the grinning ape mascot to the way a basic aloe vera gel feels like something you would find in a surf shop rather than a pharmacy aisle. The Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel is not a complicated product. It is aloe, glycerin, tea tree oil, vitamin E, and water in a squeeze bottle. But the details of how it is put together — and what it leaves out — make it genuinely better than the green goop most people grab without thinking.

The most meaningful difference between Sun Bum's gel and the standard drugstore aloe is what is not in the formula. Most cheap aloe gels use alcohol (ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) as a primary preservative and quick-drying agent. On intact skin, that alcohol evaporation creates a pleasant cooling sensation. On sunburned skin, it stings on contact and further dehydrates tissue that is already struggling to retain moisture. Sun Bum uses phenoxyethanol and ethylhexylglycerin instead — a preservative system that does its antimicrobial job without any of the drying or stinging.

The base of the formula is water and glycerin, with aloe barbadensis leaf extract as the third ingredient. This is worth noting transparently: aloe is not the primary ingredient by volume. Water and the humectant glycerin make up the bulk of the formula, with aloe providing the targeted soothing and anti-inflammatory activity. This is standard for commercial aloe gels — even products marketed as '100% pure aloe' are typically referring to the aloe source, not the concentration — but it is worth understanding that you are getting a glycerin-based hydrating gel with aloe as the active soother, not the other way around.

The tea tree oil inclusion is a small but thoughtful addition. Sunburned skin has a compromised barrier — the UV radiation has damaged the stratum corneum and disrupted its antimicrobial defenses. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity that helps protect this vulnerable skin from opportunistic bacteria. It is present in trace amounts (low on the INCI list), enough to provide protective benefit without the irritation that concentrated tea tree oil can cause.

Vitamin E (tocopheryl acetate) rounds out the active ingredients with antioxidant support. UV exposure generates a surge of free radicals in the skin, and applying an antioxidant in the hours following sun exposure can help mitigate some of that oxidative damage. The benefit from a single ingredient in a topical gel is modest, but it is a sensible inclusion for an after-sun product.

Texturally, this is a lightweight, translucent green gel that spreads easily over large body areas — back, shoulders, legs — without requiring much product. It absorbs moderately quickly but leaves a tacky film for about thirty to sixty minutes. This is the product's main texture complaint, and it is a real one. If you apply this and immediately put on a shirt, you will feel it. The tackiness dissipates fully, but the transition period is noticeable and slightly annoying.

The green color, incidentally, comes from synthetic dyes (Yellow 5 and Blue 1), not from aloe concentration. Pure processed aloe vera extract is nearly colorless. The dyes create the visual association consumers expect from an aloe product, which is harmless but worth knowing — the color is marketing, not a quality signal.

Sun Bum recommends refrigerating the bottle for enhanced cooling, and this tip genuinely improves the experience. Applying cold gel to hot, sunburned skin provides a level of immediate thermal relief that room-temperature product cannot match. If you use this product regularly during summer, keeping it in the fridge is the single best thing you can do to maximize its effectiveness.

Performance on actual sunburn is reliable. Applied to mild to moderate sunburn, the gel reduces heat and redness within the first hour. Consistent application over two to three days significantly reduces peeling compared to untreated sunburn. It will not reverse sun damage or prevent all peeling from a significant burn, but it meaningfully shortens the uncomfortable recovery period and keeps skin more hydrated throughout.

The scent is minimal — a faint herbal note from the tea tree oil that dissipates quickly. No added fragrance means no competing with your sunscreen or moisturizer scent, which is appreciated in a body product applied to potentially large areas.

At $11.49 for 8 ounces, the pricing is fair. It costs more than the cheapest drugstore aloe gels ($3-5 for comparable sizes), but the alcohol-free formulation, tea tree oil, and vitamin E provide genuine value over those basic options. For a product you might go through a bottle or two of during a beach vacation, the price is a non-issue.

The Sun Bum Cool Down Gel is not going to change anyone's life. It is an after-sun gel that works well, avoids the mistakes that cheap aloe gels make, and comes in cheerful packaging that looks at home in a beach bag. For what it is — a simple product done right — that is enough.

Formula

The Science

The Cool Down Gel's after-sun approach centers on aloe vera's documented anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe barbadensis leaf extract contains acemannan and other polysaccharides that modulate inflammatory pathways, with research published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology demonstrating reduced UV-induced erythema and prostaglandin production in aloe-treated skin. The mechanism involves inhibition of cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase, enzymes central to the inflammatory cascade triggered by UV radiation.

Glycerin, the formula's second ingredient, serves as the primary humectant — drawing water to the skin surface and forming a moisture-retaining film. In the context of sunburned skin, this is particularly important: UV damage disrupts the stratum corneum's barrier function and dramatically increases transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Research in the British Journal of Dermatology has shown that TEWL can increase by 300-400% in sunburned skin, making humectant application critical for recovery.

Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) provides broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity attributed primarily to terpinen-4-ol, its major bioactive component. A systematic review in Clinical Microbiology Reviews confirmed its efficacy against a range of bacteria and fungi. In the context of sunburned skin — where barrier compromise creates vulnerability to microbial colonization — this provides a meaningful protective function.

Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) is converted to free tocopherol in the skin, where it acts as a chain-breaking antioxidant that neutralizes lipid peroxyl radicals. UV exposure depletes the skin's endogenous vitamin E stores, and topical replenishment has been shown to reduce UV-induced oxidative damage markers in animal models, though clinical evidence for post-exposure application in humans is more limited.

Dermatologist Perspective

Dermatologists commonly recommend aloe-based after-sun products for mild to moderate sunburn management, with the caveat that aloe provides symptomatic relief rather than reversal of UV damage. Board-certified dermatologists note that the alcohol-free formulation in Sun Bum's gel is a meaningful advantage — alcohol-based aloe products can exacerbate the dehydration and barrier disruption already caused by UV exposure. The tea tree oil inclusion is viewed favorably for its antimicrobial properties on compromised skin, though dermatologists advise patch-testing for individuals with known essential oil sensitivities. For severe sunburns with blistering or systemic symptoms (fever, nausea), dermatologists emphasize that after-sun gels are not a substitute for medical treatment — oral NSAIDs and prescription-strength topical steroids may be warranted.

Guidance

Sun Bum was founded in 2010 in Cocoa Beach, Florida by branding veteran Tom Rinks, who built the brand around surf culture with guerrilla marketing and the now-iconic 'Sonny' ape mascot. The Cool Down line was developed as the natural after-sun companion to their sunscreens, completing a before-during-after sun ecosystem. What started as a niche surf brand grew into a sun-care powerhouse, acquired by SC Johnson in 2019 for approximately $400 million.

About Sun Bum Established Brand (5–20 years)

Sun Bum was founded in 2010 in Cocoa Beach, Florida by Tom Rinks and has grown from a niche surf-culture sunscreen brand to a mainstream sun-care leader. Acquired by SC Johnson in 2019 for approximately $400 million, the brand is both PETA and Leaping Bunny certified cruelty-free and carries dermatologist-tested claims across its product line.

Brand founded: 2010 · Product launched: 2010

Myth vs. Reality

Myth

The green color of this gel indicates a high concentration of pure aloe vera.

Reality

The green tint comes from synthetic dyes — Yellow 5 (CI 19140) and Blue 1 (CI 42090) — not from aloe concentration. Aloe vera extract is naturally almost colorless when processed. The aloe extract is third on the INCI list behind water and glycerin, which is standard for commercial aloe gels.

Myth

Aloe vera gel can treat severe sunburns and replace medical treatment.

Reality

Aloe vera provides effective soothing and hydration for mild to moderate sunburns, helping reduce inflammation and prevent peeling. However, blistering sunburns, sun poisoning, or burns covering large body areas require medical attention. Aloe gel is a comfort measure, not a medical treatment for severe UV damage.

FAQ

Common Praise

"Effectively soothes sunburns and provides immediate cooling relief"

"Noticeably better performance than generic drugstore aloe vera gels"

"Does not sting when applied to freshly sunburned skin"

"Pleasant mild herbal scent that is not overpowering"

"Helps prevent peeling when applied consistently after sun exposure"

"Lightweight formula absorbs without greasy residue"

Common Complaints

"Can feel sticky or tacky on the skin for up to an hour after application"

"Green color comes from synthetic dyes rather than high aloe concentration"

"Aloe extract is third on the ingredient list behind water and glycerin"

"Slightly pricier than basic drugstore aloe gels for a simple formula"

"Some users wish it provided more intense moisturization for severe burns"

Notable Endorsements

PETA Certified Cruelty-FreeLeaping Bunny CertifiedDermatologist Tested

Appears In

best body care for sun damage best after sun gel best drugstore body care best body care for sensitivity

Related Conditions

sun damage dryness sensitivity

Related Ingredients

aloe vera glycerin tea tree vitamin e