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Learn how to add essential oils and cosmetic oils to aloe vera
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You've probably used aloe if you've ever needed relief from sunburn, but did you know that it works for a variety of other conditions? Aloe is extremely versatile and can be used as an acne treatment and a moisturizer. [1] X Research source If you want to make aloe even more effective, you can easily mix it with cosmetic and essential oils. Each oil has its own properties and uses, but we've picked a few of the simplest combinations you can try out to keep your skin and hair healthy!
Things You Should Know
- For conditioning and moisturizing, mix aloe with coconut oil. Use jojoba oil or castor oil for anti-aging.
- Make an insect repellent by mixing aloe vera gel with olive oil.
- Lighten dark marks with aloe and tea tree oil. Or, treat acne with aloe and basil oil.
- Use peppermint oil and aloe for a daily conditioner.
Steps
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Mix aloe with coconut oil for a homemade conditioning mask. Combine 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of aloe vera gel with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of coconut oil. When you want to use it, wash your hair as you normally would first. Then massage the aloe and coconut oil into your scalp and work it down toward the ends of your hair. Keep the conditioner in your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing it out. [2] X Research source- Use the hair mask up to twice per week.
- Coconut oil already works great for moisturizing dry or frizzy hair, and adding aloe will only make it work more effectively. [3] X Research source
- You can also add 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of castor oil, a few drops of vitamin E oil, or a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil, like tea tree or lavender.
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Moisturize your face with aloe and jojoba oil. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of aloe gel and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of jojoba oil into a small dropper bottle. Screw on the cap and shake your bottle to thoroughly combine the ingredients. After you wash your face and pat it dry, put a few drops in your hand and rub the aloe and oil directly on your skin. [4] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source- Aloe will also help treat acne if you use it twice a day. [5] X Research source
- Jojoba oil is already in a lot of moisturizers and acts as an anti-inflammatory, so it really helps soothe your skin. [6] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Try adding about 6 drops of frankincense essential oil to give your moisturizer a pleasant smell.
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Use coconut oil and aloe as shave gel. Coconut oil already moisturizes your skin and the addition of aloe can help prevent razor burn or irritation. Melt 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of coconut oil on your stove and stir in 1 ⁄ 4 cup (59 ml) of pure aloe vera gel. When you’re ready to shave, just scoop some gel out and rub a thin layer over your skin. Let it sit for a few minutes before you start shaving. [7] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- You can store your homemade shave gel for up to 2 months at room temperature in a plastic container.
- If your coconut oil hardens or separates, just put a lid on the container and hold it under hot water so it warms up again.
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Create insect repellent with aloe and olive oil. Some studies have shown that aloe vera and olive oil applied to your skin can deter mosquitoes. Combine about 0.84 cups (200 ml) of olive oil with 3 tablespoons (44 ml) of aloe vera gel. You can mix the ingredients by hand or use a blender. Rub the mixture on your skin when you’re going outside so you don’t get bitten. [8] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- While it is rare, you may get irritated skin from the aloe. If you do, reduce the amount of aloe to 2 tablespoons (30 ml) instead.
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Try using castor oil and aloe gel as an anti-aging cream. In a small bottle, combine 9 parts aloe vera gel and 1 part castor oil and shake it together. Keep the mixture in your fridge so it has even more of a cooling effect on your skin. Massage the oil and aloe directly into your skin, especially around your eyes, to help tighten and moisturize your skin. [9] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Avoid using castor oil if you have fungal dermatitis since it could make your condition worse.
- You can try adding more castor oil to thicken the moisturizer and help hold cosmetics better. The consistency just depends on your own personal preference. [10] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Castor oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help shrink any stretch marks or wrinkles. [11] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Try tea tree oil with aloe to lighten scars and dark spots. If you want to make your own face mask, try mixing 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of aloe gel with just 2 drops of tea tree oil. Apply the aloe mask to any blemishes and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes. Be sure to rinse your skin thoroughly and apply a moisturizer afterwards so your skin doesn’t dry out. [12] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- You can also blend in ½ of a peeled cucumber to add potassium and vitamin E to moisturizer.
- Studies have shown that tea tree oil combined with aloe can effectively treat acne, scars, and dark skin. [13] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Mix peppermint oil with aloe gel for a daily hair moisturizer. Scoop the gel out from 1 large leave of aloe vera and add it to a blender with 1 cup (240 ml) of water and 3–4 drops of peppermint oil. Blend the ingredients together and strain the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray your hair in the morning and evening to help keep your hair soft. [14] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source- Keep the mixture in your fridge for up to 1–2 weeks so the aloe doesn’t spoil.
- Some studies have shown that peppermint oil can help stimulate hair growth, so it works perfectly if you want to mix it into a moisturizer. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Treat acne with a mix of aloe gel with basil oil. Try adding about 5 drops of basil oil to 1 tablespoon of aloe gel to make a 2% mixture. [16] X Research source After you wash your face, massage the basil and aloe mixture into your skin. Try to apply the serum twice a day in the morning and again in the evening before bed. [17] X Trustworthy Source Science Direct Online archive of peer-reviewed research on scientific, technical and medical topics Go to source
- Basil essential oils have anti-inflammatory properties and improve skin conditions like acne, but aloe can make it even more effective.
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Soothe inflammation with aloe and lavender oil. Just mix 1 drop of lavender oil in 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of aloe gel and stir it together. Put the gel in your fridge for 5 minutes so it has a cooling effect on your skin. Use a cotton swab to rub the gel onto your skin to get relief from inflammation. [18] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source- This also works well on acne and rashes.
- Lavender oil has a relaxing scent and some studies have found that it helps treat inflamed skin. [19] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
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Warnings
- While it is rare, you may experience burning, itching, or eczema after applying aloe gel. If you have any of these symptoms, stop using it immediately. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to sourceThanks
- Avoid swallowing essential oils since they could be toxic to your kidneys or have negative interactions with prescription medication. [21] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
- ↑ https://www.tricitymed.org/2018/08/6-best-natural-ingredients-for-alleviating-sunburn-pain/
- ↑ https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coconut-oil/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/jojoba-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/aloe-vera
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/coconut-oil-for-skin
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17695-mosquito-bites
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/castor-oil-benefits
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5015816/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796020/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22038-blackheads
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6298394/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4289931/
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/aloe
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0962456203001413
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5878871/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834722/
- ↑ https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-do-essential-oils-work
About This Article
Article Summary
X
You can mix aloe with a variety of cosmetic oils to make a soothing, moisturizing gel. For instance, to make a conditioning mask for your hair, combine equal parts aloe gel and coconut oil. Leave it in your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing it out for soft, hydrated locks. You can also use this mixture as a shaving gel. For a gentle face moisturizer, mix up aloe with a little bit of soothing jojoba oil or castor oil. If mosquitos are bothering you, slather on a combination of aloe gel and olive oil, which may naturally repel them. For more tips, like how to use aloe with essential oils, keep reading!
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