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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel

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| Video Team Tested
| 13 References 43 September 19, 1,913,260
Updated: September 19, 2019 2019

Aloe vera gel is one of nature's great healers. It can

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be used to treat sunburn, moisturize skin and soothe 94% of readers found this article helpful.
irritation. To make your own, all you need is a Steps 56 votes - 94%
Article Summary
healthy aloe plant. Aloe vera gel can be mixed with Click a star to add your vote
Video
other ingredients to help preserve it for more than a
Questions & Answers
few days.
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Ingredients

Aloe leaf

Optional: 500mg powdered Vitamin C or 400 IU vitamin E (for every 1/4 cup of gel)

Steps

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Image titled Make Aloe Vera Gel Step 1

1 Wash your hands. It's important to start with clean hands and use clean tools to
make sure the gel doesn't get contaminated.[1]

2 Slice off an outer leaf of an aloe plant. The outer leaves are more likely to be
mature. They'll contain plenty of fresh, healthy gel. Look for leaves around the outside
of the plant, with bases growing close to the ground. Use a sharp knife to make a clean cut
near the base.[2]
Since aloe vera gel is perishable, it's best not to make a huge batch at once,
unless you plan to give some away. Cutting off just a leaf or two, especially if
they're large, should be sufficient to make 1/2 to 1 cup of gel.
If your plant is young, be especially careful not to cut off too much at once. Cutting
off all of the outer leaves could damage the plant.

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

3 Drain the resin for 10 minutes. Place the leaves upright in a cup to let the dark
yellow resin drain out. The resin contains latex, which can be slightly irritating to skin. Related Articles
It's best to drain it out so it won't get into your gel.[3] Treat Sun Poisoning

How to How to
Reverse Sun Treat Sun
Damage Poisoning

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4 Peel the leaves. Use a vegetable peeler to carefully peel away the green portion of
the leaves. Be sure to cut through the inner white layer to the gel underneath. Peel off
all of the skin on once side of the each leaf, leaving a canoe-shaped half filled with gel.[4]
If you have large leaves, it may be helpful to cut them into smaller pieces before
peeling.
Discard the skin as you go so it won't get mixed in with your gel.

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

5 Scoop the gel out with a spoon or knife. The clear, soft gel is easily scoopable.
Scoop it all out into a clean bowl until there's nothing left in the leaf half.[5]

Image titled Make Aloe Vera Gel Step 6

6 Consider mixing the gel with a natural preservative. If you have a lot of gel and
you want it to keep for a month or two, mix in 500mg powdered Vitamin C or 400 IU
vitamin E for every 1/4 cup of gel you have. Place the ingredients together in a blender and
blend well. The gel will look foamy at first.[6]

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

7 Place the gel in a sterilized, clean glass jar. If you used the preservative, the gel
will keep for several months in the refrigerator. Without it, it will keep for a week or
two.

8 Use the gel. Apply it to sunburns or other minor, surface burns. Aloe can also be
used as a skin moisturizer or an ingredient in homemade body products.[7]
Aloe vera gel should primarily be used on surface skin irritation, minor burns,
insect bites, and minor wounds.[8] Exercise caution with deep wounds and scars,
like those created by surgery, since some studies suggest that aloe gel can worsen
scars like these.[9]
Try blending 1/2 cup aloe with 1/4 cup melted coconut oil to make a healing,
moisturizing massage lotion.[10]
Learn how to grow an aloe plant so you'll be able to make a batch of gel whenever
you want.

Community Q&A

Question

How do you use aloe vera on your face?

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Use aloe vera gel to apply to your face, either following the recipe in this article, or buy a
commercial version. Always do a skin test first to be sure you don’t have an allergy to the
gel. Apply a small blob of gel to your fingertip, then gently massage into your facial skin,
using small circular movements. Do not press hard and it’s recommended that you avoid
massaging it into the delicate skin under your eyes.
Not Helpful 4

Helpful 22

Question

Can you leave aloe vera gel on your face overnight?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Yes, it is fine to leave aloe vera on your face overnight. Massage it in well though, to avoid
stickiness, and use a pillowcase that you don’t mind getting a bit greasy. If the gel is not pure
but contains alcohol, such as in some commercial products, this may induce a reaction if you
have sensitive skin; and even if pure, there can still be an allergic reaction, so test a bit of
the gel your skin first (hand, wrist, etc.) before applying it on your whole face. Wash your
face with warm water after getting up in the morning, to freshen and cleanse it.
Not Helpful 1

Helpful 20

Question

Can I use aloe vera to remove dandruff?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Aloe vera gel can be used to remove dandruff; it has moisturizing, anti-fungal, cleansing and
anti-inflammatory properties that all help to reduce or remove dandruff. Adding moisture to
the scalp can ease dandruff. Apply a tablespoon (or more, if needed) of aloe vera gel to your
scalp and massage in. Leave in place for half an hour, then wash out with a mild shampoo.
Repeat every second day for good results in reducing or removing dandruff.
Not Helpful 0

Helpful 13

Question

How long can I store aloe vera gel without a fridge?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Aloe vera gel can be kept for about a week at average room temperature. If the room gets
too hot, the gel should be moved to a cooler place for storage, such as a basement or cellar.
Smell the gel if kept without refrigeration; it it smells bad, do not use it. Also check the
texture, if it is lumpy, moldy or looks odd, don't use it. The beneficial properties of aloe vera
deteriorate if not stored properly, so it might be easier to keep the plant and break off pieces
when needed if you do not have the option of refrigeration.
Not Helpful 0

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Helpful 15

Question

How long can I keep aloe vera gel in the fridge?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If making the aloe gel in this article, the refrigeration time will vary depending on whether or
not you used the preservative; with preservative, the gel can be refrigerated for several
months, without preservative it will last refrigerated for one to two weeks. More information
on storing aloe vera gel for longer periods of time can be found at: How to Store Aloe Vera
Gel.
Not Helpful 4

Helpful 18

Question

Can aloe vera treat stretch marks?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Stretch marks may be helped by the application of aloe vera when applied direct to the
marks. Make a fresh gel from ¼ cup (60ml) aloe vera gel mixed with the oil from 10 vitamin
E capsules. Do a skin test first to check you’re not allergic to aloe vera. If it's all good, rub
into the stretch marks area until absorbed. You can also apply the aloe gel direct from
breaking open an aloe vera leaf; rub in, then rinse off with warm water after 10 minutes or
so.
Not Helpful 1

Helpful 12

Question

How can I use aloe vera for skin whitening?

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Aloe vera may help to lighten small areas of hyperpigmentation, where your skin color has
changed slightly. Aloin, an ingredient found in aloe vera, has been shown in several
scientific studies to have depigmentation effects (e.g. Smit, Vicanova and Pavel, 2009; Ali,
Galgut and Choudhary, 2012). While studies are still being carried out on how to use aloin
most effectively for this purpose, as long as you are not allergic to aloe vera (do a skin patch
test first), you can try it; even if it doesn’t lighten your skin as much as you’d like, aloe vera
does have beneficial moisturizing qualities. At home, apply pure aloe vera gel to areas of
skin with hyperpigmentation, massaging it in and leaving on overnight; wash the area clean
in the morning. Repeat as often as needed until you see a difference; at the very least, your
skin should glow.
Not Helpful 3

Helpful 8

Question

Can I use aloe gel in my hair?

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Ajeng Kusumastuti
Community Answer

Yes, you can. Sometimes I'll use it as a sleeping hair mask. It make my scalp less oily and
itchy, and my hair softer and easier to comb.
Not Helpful 13

Helpful 91

Question

Can I use any other vitamins instead of C and E?

Community Answer

The vitamins C and E are beneficial to the skin. Others, when added, may not have the
desired effect, therefore it's not recommended.
Not Helpful 17

Helpful 83

Question

How long does the Aloe Vera/Coconut oil mix keep if refrigerated?

Community Answer

If refrigerated, it will keep for about 2 months. However, if frozen, it can last up to a year.
Not Helpful 33

Helpful 135

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How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Tips

In place of vitamin C powder, you can crush a vitamin C pill and stir it in. A few drops of
grapefruit extract will also do the trick.

Don’t rush. Let the yellow stuff drain properly before moving on to the next step.

Vitamins A and C are antioxidants, not natural preservatives. Even in the refrigerator,
harmful microbes will form within 3-7 days.

Warnings

Wear gloves while handling aloe if you're sensitive to the latex.

Do not consume aloe orally. In the short-term, aloe vera can cause digestive issues like
cramping and diarrhea. In the long-term, it could put you at an increased risk of electrolyte
loss, dehydration, and colorectal cancer.[11][12]

Related wikiHows

How to How to
Revive a Dying Aloe Vera Plant Make Hand and Foot Cream

How to How to
Make Your Own Beauty Products Make Rosemary Castile Shampoo

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Aloe-Vera-Gel[01-01-20 10:06:22 PM]

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

How to How to
Make Your Own Soap Plant Aloe Vera

How to How to
Care for Your Aloe Vera Plant Make Coconut and Aloe Body Oil

How to How to
Reverse Sun Damage Treat Sun Poisoning

References

1. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/why-handwashing.html
2. ↑ https://thesucculentsource.com/blogs/succulent-cactus-news/how-to-grow-and-trim-your-
aloe-vera-plant
3. ↑ https://theherbalacademy.com/10-awesome-uses-for-aloe-vera/
4. ↑ http://www.aloeplant.info/extract-aloe-vera-gel/
5. ↑ https://learningherbs.com/remedies-recipes/freeze-aloe-vera-gel/
6. ↑ http://www.rjpharmacognosy.ir/article_53094.html
7. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
8. ↑ http://healthlibrary.uchospitals.edu/content/nutritional-supplement-advisor-v1/aloe/
9. ↑ https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/aloe-vera-—-what-it

Show more... (4)

Article Info

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles
are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 43 people, some FEATURED
ARTICLE
anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Together, they cited 13
references.

Categories: Featured Articles | Handmade Cosmetics | After Sun Care

In other languages:

Italiano: Preparare il Gel d'Aloe Vera, Español: hacer gel de aloe vera (sábila), Deutsch: Aloe

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Aloe-Vera-Gel[01-01-20 10:06:22 PM]

How to Make Aloe Vera Gel: 8 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow

Vera Gel herstellen, Português: Fazer um Gel de Aloe Vera, Русский: сделать гель алоэ

вера, 中文: 制作芦荟胶, Français: faire du gel à l'aloe vera, Nederlands: Aloe vera gel
maken, Čeština: Jak vyrobit gel z aloe vera, ‫عمل جل الصبار‬ :‫العربية‬, Bahasa Indonesia: Membuat
Gel Lidah Buaya, हिनद: एलोवेरा जेल (Aloe Vera Gel) बनाये, ไทย: ททำเจลว่านหางจระเข, Tiếng
้
Việt: Làm Gel Lô hội, 한국어: 알로에 베라 젤 만드는 방법, 日本語: アロエベラジェル
を作る, Türkçe: Aloe Vera Jel Nasıl Yapılır

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