Making your own aloe vera gel has a number of benefits that are not only beneficial to your wallet, but to your health as well. Commercial aloe vera gels contain preservatives and other ingredients such as alcohols and dyes which can harm the skin, so if you have an aloe plant, it's always best to make your own gel! Even if you DON'T have your own aloe vera plant, it's very easy to purchase one at your local nursery or you can even learn how to grow your own aloe plant. Want to learn how to make aloe vera gel? It's SO easy, just keep reading!
How to Make Aloe Vera Gel at Home- a DIY Guide
#1. Selecting Your Leaves
Start by cutting off 2 large aloe leaves. This is usually sufficient to make 1/2-1 cup of aloe vera gel which is plenty. Because there are no preservatives added, it will go bad much quicker than commercial ones, so just make smaller batches when you need them! Cut off two bottom leaves – the leaves all the way at the bottom of the aloe plant are the most mature and will contain more pulp.
#2. Drain the Resin
Once cut, place them in a bowl with the cut side down so that the resin will drain. This resin can stain the skin and also irritate it, so leave it to dry for about 10 minutes.
#3. Peel the Leaves
Once the resin has drained, go ahead and peel the leaves using a vegetable peeler of a knife. If using a knife, make sure to be careful not to cut yourself, and always slice away from your body. Peel off both sides of the leaves, which will leave you with only the gel part of the aloe.
#4. Scoop Out the Gel
Using a small spoon, scoop out all of the gel from the aloe vera leaf. The gel should easily come off with a spoon. Place the gel into a bowl.
#5. Preservation
If you intend to make a bigger batch, consider adding a natural preservative to keep the gel for longer periods of time. This will ensure that your aloe vera gel will keep for a month or two. Mix in 500mg of powdered vitamin C or 400iu vitamin E for every 1/4 cup of gel. Place all ingredients in an immersion blender and blend until smooth. For fresher results, make small amounts at a time.
#6. Storage
If you're not using a preservative, the gel will keep for a week or two. In either case, the aloe vera gel should be kept in a clean, airtight jar or container in the refrigerator.
#7. Usage
Your fresh aloe vera gel can now be used on your skin to soothe burns, get rid of acne, prevent cellulite, prevent wrinkles, and also reduces the appearance of dark circles, dark spots, and acne scars. Aloe vera can also be used as a hair mask to promote healthy, shiny hair as well as hair growth. A fun way to use aloe vera gel is pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it. It's a great little beauty trick that reduces inflammation on the skin and also prevents breakouts!
Benefits of Aloe Vera Gel
- Anti inflammatory. Works to reduce inflammation on the skin, so it's great for breakouts and acne.
- Packed with vitamins and minerals, making it the perfect gel for those with sensitive skin as well as acne prone skin.
- Pure aloe vera can also help with hair growth and nail growth.
- Slows down the aging process by hydrating and nourishing the skin.
- Additionally, aloe vera juice, when consumed, also has a slew of benefits, such as lowering blood sugar levels and correcting other health problems.
How to Make Aloe Vera Gel at Home
Materials
- 2 large aloe vera leaves
- 500 mg powdered vitamin C optional, for preservation
- 400 iu vitamin E optional, for preservation
Instructions
- Cut off two bottom leaves off the aloe vera plant – the leaves all the way at the bottom of the aloe plant are the most mature and will contain more pulp.
- Once cut, place them in a bowl with the cut side down so that the resin will drain. This resin can stain the skin and also irritate it, so leave it to dry for about 10 minutes.
- Once the resin has drained, go ahead and peel the leaves using a vegetable peeler of a knife. If using a knife, make sure to be careful not to cut yourself, and always slice away from your body. Peel off both sides of the leaves, which will leave you with only the gel part of the aloe.
- Using a small spoon, scoop out all of the gel from the leaf. The gel should easily come off with a spoon. Place the gel into a bowl.
- If you intend to make a bigger batch, consider adding a natural preservative. This will ensure that your aloe vera gel will keep for a month or two. Mix in 500mg of powdered vitamin C or 400iu vitamin E for every 1/4 cup of gel. Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
- If you're not using a preservative, the gel will keep for a week or two. In either case, the aloe vera gel should be kept in a clean, airtight jar or container in the refrigerator.
Awesome! I love it. ??
Could you add some Vitamin E as a preservative .
Yes of course you can Anita 🙂
If I use a perservative, do I still have to refridgerate it or no ?
You don’t necessarily have to, but we still recommend that you do because it’ll just feel so much nicer on the skin when the product is cold!
So how long do you leave the gel on your face, and wash off with warm water???
You can leave it on as long as you like 🙂 Usually, aloe vera gel will simply absorb into the skin, so there is no need to wash it off afterwards, but you can if you see there is leftover residue!
Does it help with eczema? How long can i use it before it can remove dark marks
Hi Andy,
Yes aloe vera gel can definitely help alleviate the symptoms of eczema. Apply the aloe vera gel daily for at least a month or two until you start to notice results. It may seem like a long time, but it’s absolutely worth it 🙂
Do you have to add the vitamins inside ? Or you could just blend the aloe Vera & use it on your face
Hi Indira,
If you’re only making a small batch and don’t intend to keep it for long, you can leave out the vitamin preservatives and apply directly to the skin 🙂
Hi please could you e-mail this document to me because I have tried to print it, but the ads keep printing.
Hi Wendy,
Sure, we’d be happy to!
So excited to try this.
So glad to hear that Kookla! Let us know how it goes 🙂
How do you make the aloe vera juice?
Hi Patti,
Sorry, but I’m not so sure about that – this is a recipe for aloe vera gel. I’m sure a quick Google would help out though 🙂
Hey i love this recipe but can i also just peel the plant and put it in a blender?
Hi Marianne,
Yes, you absolutely can, just be sure to use it within a day or two and always keep in the fridge or freezer 🙂
Vitamin E nor citric acid are preservatives.Vitamin E is an oil and won t emulsify . It is use as antioxidant for another oils.
Hi Claudita,
Actually, both vitamin C and citric acid act as great preservatives for aloe vera. Granted that vitamin E IS an oil, it will actually help to prolong the shelf life of the aloe vera. The citric acid is used in many beauty products to also prolong their shelf life, and works really well in aloe vera. But, of course, you can use any type of preservative you like – these are just what we tested and loved 🙂