Aloe vera is a succulent plant. Its leaves contain stored water in a gel-like form. This gel is known to provide a host of beneficial properties, from healing, to moisturizing and soothing.
Whilst aloe vera gel is relatively easy to get hold of, store-bought aloe vera gel often contains harmful additives and dyes, and inorganic preservatives.
Aloe vera gel in this form isn’t being maximized to its full potential and you won’t receive the most of what it has to offer.
If you’re wanting to use aloe vera gel but are not keen on store-bought aloe vera gel, there’s always the option to make your own.
Now, DIY aloe vera gel sounds complex but it is a pretty easy and simple process if you have the right tools.
This post will give you all the information you need to help you make fresh, risk-free, and sustainable aloe vera gel at home.
Here’s What You’ll Need To Make Your Aloe Vera Gel
Ingredients
- 1 aloe leaf
- 500 mg of vitamin C
- 400 mg of vitamin E
Tools
- A small knife
- A spoon
- A blender
- An airtight container
Instructions
Once you have all of the ingredients and tools you need to make your aloe vera gel, the process of making it will take about 30 minutes.
1.Whether you’re using an aloe leaf from your own plant or using a store-bought leaf, begin by thoroughly washing the leaf and stand it upright in a cup for 10-15 minutes.
This is an essential step that will help the resin to drain from the leaf. The resin drained is a shade of yellow. You’ll want to remove this as it contains latex which may cause skin irritation.
2.Quickly rinse the leaf and then using a small knife, peel away the leaf’s thick skin.
3.You should now be able to see the natural aloe vera gel. Using a spoon, scoop out the gel and place it into a blender. Avoid putting in any pieces of the aloe skin.
4.Once complete, blend the gel until it reaches a frothy consistency. Your gel is now ready to use. All that is left to do is store the gel in an airtight container and refrigerate.
Additional Steps For Preservation
If you intend on keeping your aloe vera gel for longer than a week, you will need to take a couple of additional steps to ensure it is preserved for long-lasting use.
You can do this by adding vitamin C and E powder to your gel which will enable you to use it for a longer period of time.
Both vitamin C and E contain additional benefits that will contribute to your product. Both are rich in antioxidants and offer great healing and anti-aging benefits.
Measurements
500mg of vitamin C or 400 mg of vitamin E powder for every 60 ml of aloe vera gel. For extended shelf life, you can always add both powders for extra preservation.
Storage Solutions
To keep your aloe vera gel fresh and usable, it’s important that you make sure it’s stored correctly. There are a couple of things you keep in mind when it comes to storage.
Keep Refrigerated
Unpreserved aloe vera gel will last about 24 hours at room temperature before it begins to decompose and lose its active compounds making it unusable.
To keep your aloe gel fresh for longer keep it refrigerated. This should keep it fresh for about 5-7 days.
Keep In An Airtight Container
Keeping your aloe vera gel exposed to oxygen for longer than 24 hours will expose it to harmful bacteria that will result in it going off.
To prevent this, keep your gel in an airtight container, bottle, or jar to ensure it is effectively preserved.
Avoid Direct Light Exposure
If you can, keep your aloe vera gel in a non-clear container. This helps to ensure that the gel is protected from UV exposure. Doing so will help to preserve the gel’s beneficial active compounds.
Freeze
If you’re planning on using your aloe vera gel to treat sunburn to keep it preserved for longer, you can freeze it. Place the gel into an ice cube tray.
Once frozen, place cubes into a sealable bag. When you want to use it, thaw the frozen cubes at room temperature until it reaches a gel-like consistency.
This is a great way to preserve your gel for a long period of time as well as a fantastic way to cool down painful sunburn. Frozen aloe vera gel should last up to a year.
How To Use Aloe Vera Gel?
Aloe vera gel has long been used for its beneficial properties. It is most commonly used to treat minor skin care problems such as burns and sunburn, skin conditions such as acne, and hair and scalp treatment.
Aloe Vera Gel For The Face
If you’re looking to use aloe vera gel for improving your skin, there are a couple of ways you can apply it.
- If you’re looking to moisturize your skin, use it in place of a cleanser and rinse.
- If you’re looking to use it as a spot treatment or to reduce inflammation, apply the aloe vera gel to the irritated area and leave it on overnight and then rinse off in the morning.
- If you’re looking for a hydrating or detoxing face mask, use 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and apply to the face leaving it for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off. To spruce up your facemask you can add additional ingredients of lemon, or cinnamon, and honey for the ultimate spa experience.
Aloe Vera Gel For Hair
To use aloe vera gel for improving the health of your hair;
- Apply a generous amount of aloe vera gel to your hair rubbing it into your scalp and hair to penetrate the hair follicles. Doing this will help to moisturize and condition dry and brittle hair. Let the gel sit for an hour before washing off with a mild shampoo.
The Benefits Of Aloe Vera Gel
Heals Burns
Aloe vera provides soothing and cooling properties. This makes it a great product to use when it comes to treating burns or sunburn as it provides a moisturizing and cooling effect for instant relief. Aloe vera is rich in polysaccharides which contain healing properties.
This, in combination with its antibacterial properties, helps to moisturize and clean minor wounds.
Applying aloe vera gel to the wounded area a few times a day will help to heal the burn and will provide pain relief. *Please note, if you have a severe burn wound, please seek medical assistance.
Clears Acne
Aloe vera gel is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants provide great anti-inflammatory properties.
As acne is caused by inflammation, aloe vera gel serves as a solution to improve acne by reducing the inflammation of the skin along with providing soothing properties to heal trauma done to the skin.
Using aloe vera for a prolonged time has been known to have significant effects in treating acne.
Evens Out Skin Tone And Soothes Skin
Aloe vera gel is rich in antioxidants, contains enzymes, vitamins A and C. The enzymes contained in aloe vera acts as a natural exfoliant. This helps to smooth and moisturize skin.
It also contains vitamin C which is a great compound for helping to even skin tone. Using aloe vera gel as a mask will help to brighten skin and even out dark patches.
Haircare
The healing, soothing, cleansing, and antibacterial properties offered by aloe vera gel make it a great product to use to nourish and replenish hair.
Rich in vitamins, aloe vera gel helps to strengthen and repair dry and brittle hair strands. Its anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce an itchy or flaking scalp.
And, its cleansing properties make it a great product for cleansing the scalp of impurities without stripping the hair of its natural oils.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aloe Vera Safe To Use?
Using aloe vera gel for treating minor skin concerns is relatively safe. However, like all natural products, there is a risk of skin irritation and allergic reactions. If you begin to notice any sensitivity from aloe, contact your doctor.
Aloe vera should be avoided by anyone who is allergic to garlic, onions, tulips, or has recently undergone surgery.
Pregnant women, children under, and anyone breastfeeding is advised to avoid oral use of aloe vera.
Precaution: If you notice signs of discoloration, a strange odor, or mold, on your aloe vera gel then discard your aloe vera gel for your safety.
Takeaway
Aloe vera gel has long been used for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, soothing, and healing properties.
It appears that aloe vera gel offers endless benefits. Isn’t it great to see how much a single plant has to offer?
If you’re looking for a natural solution to improving your skin and hair without the risk of being exposed to harmful additives, DIY aloe vera gel may be just what you need.
Now that you know the secret of its healing, you can go ahead and start making your own!
