Aerogel, a lightweight and porous material, has emerged as a promising adsorbent for oil spill cleanup and industrial oil separation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of aerogel in oil adsorption, covering its synthesis, properties, and adsorption mechanisms. We discuss the effects of aerogel's surface chemistry, pore structure, and composition on its oil adsorption capacity and selectivity. Recent advances in modifying aerogel with nanoparticles, polymers, and bio-inspired materials to enhance its oil adsorption performance are also highlighted. The review examines the challenges and future directions for scaling up aerogel production and its potential applications in real-world oil spill scenarios, including marine and terrestrial environments. Additionally, we discuss the potential of aerogel for oil-water separation, oil spill detection, and environmental monitoring. This review aims to provide a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and industries seeking to develop sustainable and efficient oil adsorption technologies.