Aloe Vera gel is a very multi purpose ingredient or product and has great skin care and hair care benefits. Aloe vera gel is very easily available commercially and is also used as a dominant ingredient in skin care and hair care products but, these products also contain emulsifiers and preservatives and sometimes also dyes and artificial coloring agents. If you want to know how to make your very own 100% natural and organic aloe vera gel at home and also ways to use it and store for longer, then keep on reading-
BENEFITS
- Aloe vera gel is a natural humectant which keeps your skin, hair and scalp moisturized and hydrated.
- Has anti inflammatory benefits. It has a soothing effect on the skin that helps with sunburn and inflamed acne or any redness or rashes on the skin.
- Has anti microbial benefits that help treat any mild skin infection and acne as well. Keeps skin clear and flawless.
- Aloe vera gel helps treat dry skin and keep it moisturized and soft.
- Because aloe vera gel has antimicrobial properties, it also helps fight dandruff.
- It nourishes the scalp and strengthen hair follicle thereby boosting hair growth. It also coats the hair and makes it shinier, softer and helps reduce frizziness
- Is great for all skin types especially oily, acne prone and problematic skin.
- Just as aloe vera is great as a topical treatment for skin and hair, it is equally good for your health when taken internally. It helps boost metabolism and clean the intestines and keeps skin clear.
RECIPE FOR HOMEMADE ALOE VERA GEL
To make homemade fresh aloe vera gel all you need is 2-3 big sized fresh aloe vera leaves. When you cut the aloe vera leaf from the base, you need to keep it vertically on a tissue paper to let the yellow latex flow out. After 10 minutes, use a knife to peel away/slice the thorny edge and then cut the aloe Vera leaf from the middle using a very sharp spoon, scrape out all the gel and keep it in a bowl of water for 5 minutes. Now, transfer the gel in a blender and blend it until it is lump free. Your homemade aloe vera gel is ready! To save this step, scrape the surface of gel gently until you get a good quantity of the gel. You can use this gel directly in your homemade recipes or if you wish to store it for 5 to 6 months (or more than a year if stored properly) you will have to freeze it into ice cubes and melt it before using. If frozen properly, the gel can stay good for more than a year.
WAYS TO USE ALOE VERA GEL:
Aloe Skin & Hair Cubes
To freshly prepared gel, you can add any of your favorite essential oils and pour it into ice cube trays. Freeze it into ice cubes and use it on your face to soothe and massage. Can also be used on the scalp and hair after a hair wash. If you have sensitive skin or if you do not want to use 100% aloe Vera gel, feel free to dilute it with water before freezing.
Aloe butter
Aloe vera butter can be used as a multi purpose moisturizer for your body, dry elbows and knees, for cracked feet, for sunburn etc. To make this soothing aloe vera butter, you need 1/ 3 cup of softened shea butter, one teaspoon of jojoba oil add 3 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel. You can also add in half a teaspoon of vitamin E oil to increase the shelf life of this product to 2 weeks approx. With everything together until you get a very light fluffy butter and transfer this to an easy to use jar. Store this in a cool and dry place , if the weather is hot and humid it is best to store this in a refrigerator.
Aloe Massaging gel
You can directly use fresh aloe vera gel to massage your facial skin. For added benefits, you can add in few drops of tea tree oil if you have acne prone skin. For pigmentation or dark spots, you can add in lemon essential oil or turmeric essential oil. Feel free to add in any carrier or essential oil that best suits your skin type.
Aloe Hair mask
You can directly apply fresh aloe vera gel on your scalp and on your hair as a hair mask. Wear a shower cap and wash your hair as you normally would after 2 to 3 hours. This hair mask can also be kept overnight for best results. Alternatively, you can also blend coconut oil with aloe Vera gel and then use it as a hair mask.
Aloe drink
You can make aloe vera water and consume it on an empty stomach in the morning to boost digestion and metabolism and also to keep your skin healthy and clear from the inside. To make this aloe vera water, add one cup water and 3 to 4 tablespoons of fresh aloe vera gel in a blender and blended nicely. Pour in a serving glass and consume.
Aloe Face mask
You can directly apply aloe vera gel on your facial skin and neck and wash it off after 10 minutes. Feel free to customize it according to your skin needs like adding chickpea powder or bentonite clay etc.
Aloe Facial wash
To make all natural and homemade aloe facial wash, combine half cup of liquid castile soap and 1/3 cup of fresh aloe vera gel. Add in few drops of vitamin E to increase the shelf life of the product and to add on the skin care benefits. Store and transfer to an easy to use pump bottle. Use it as a facial wash twice a day.
Aloe shampoo
You can combine any mild baby shampoo with aloe vera gel and use it as a shampoo. Alternatively you can also use liquid castile soap instead of using a commercial baby shampoo. Add in some essential oils if you like and customize it the way you want.
Aloe soap
To make aloe vera soap at home, you need half cup of melted soap base and 1/3 cup of fresh aloe vera gel. Combine both the ingredients and add in few drops of essential oil that you like. Pour it into soap moulds and let it set for 4- 5 hours or more. Unmould the soups and use it as a regular face and body soap.
Eyebrow serum
Aloe vera gel can nourish your brows and lashes and keep it healthy and boost growth. You can directly apply fresh aloe vera gel to your eyebrows and very little quantity on your lashes before you go to bed using Q tips.
