Q&A for How to Make Aloe Vera Gel

Yes! Aloe gel is a proven and effective skin moisturizer. Even Cleopatra used it!

Add some vitamin C, vitamin E, or honey to preserve your aloe gel for longer periods!

While not proven to make hair grow longer or faster, applying aloe to your hair can make the follicles stronger and healthier.

Blending the entire leaf isn't recommended, since the leaf contains latex, which is a skin irritant.

Aloe hasn't been proven to lighten dark spots in skin. If it's changing your skin color in any unnatural way, stop using it and consider seeing a doctor.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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

If refrigerated, it will keep for about 2 months. However, if frozen, it can last up to a year.

You can, but not draining the aloe vera first could result in some skin irritation from the resin.

Yes, but it will only last about 2 weeks in the fridge. If you add the vitamin C, however, it can last up to 2 months.

Yes, it can be stored in the freezer. It should keep for at least a year.

If the gel is mixed with preservative, it can be last for about 2 months. Keeping in the refrigerator will help it last longer. If the Aloe Vera gel starts to look, taste, or smell strange at any point, throw it out.

Yes, lemon juice contains vitamin C and other beneficial components which are a good combination for skin irritation. That's a good option.

Yes. You can scoop the gel from each leaf, and eat it as it is. You can also blend it with some water, and drink it as a juice instead.

Scientifically, Vitamin E has no proven benefits for the hair or for the skin. Vitamin E is used as a marketing ingredient in the cosmetic industry. If you see a difference, then feel free to use it but I would not recommend it as there is no proof that it will have any effect on your acne.

You probably can. It might be harder than a blender doing it for you, but it should work.

Any drug store will carry it.

It is best to use the aloe vera species as it prominently features the gel with skin benefits.

It could take up to a day depending on the size.

You can use it as a toner by diluting the gel with some rosewater/distilled water. Then, put it into a cotton pad and apply it. You could also apply it as a moisturizer/hand cream. You shouldn't need to remove it, but if you do, you can just wash it off with soap and water.

Yes, it is a great moisturizer and will help you get rid of dead skin on your face.

Yes. Essential oils are not required to make lotion, but they add a nice scent to it.

Go to any grocery store, supermarket or health food store and it is likely that they'll have it. Look for it where vegetable oils are kept.