DIY Aloe Vera Gel for Essential Oil Skincare Recipes

Aloe vera gel has numerous uses that makes this plant incredibly useful. If you're getting into gardening, I highly recommend this be one of the plants you grow. In addition to it being incredibly useful, it is also insanely easy to grow… even for people who haven't been able to keep plants alive. Plus, using it to create your own aloe vera gel is just as simple.

Why aloe vera on an essential oils blog? Because we ran into a time during the Corona Virus outbreaks where aloe vera gel has been really difficult to find, causing stress with our members trying to make homemade skincare products and hand sanitizers at home because the stores endured a massive shortage.

Directions for creating your own DIY Aloe Vera Gel:

1. Cut the leaf into 8 inch long sections
2. Cut off the serrated edge as close to the edge as possible (it is difficult to get the gel out of the edges)
3. Cut the 8″ lengths into 2-3 long strips.
4. Remove the skin by sliding your knife just under the skin, carefully staying as close to the skin as possible so you get as much gel as you can.
5. Once you remove the skin, flip the section over and repeat with the other side.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 until all sections have been skinned and ready to blend
7. Blend using a blender or immersion blender, until smooth. (*It is normal for the aloe to froth right away)
8. Pour the gel into the clean storage container and refrigerate.

How to store your fresh Aloe Vera Gel:

Your fresh aloe should stay stored in the refrigerator, and should be used within a week.

If you're not going to use it within a week, pour it into an ice tray and freeze. Once frozen, you'll be able to place the frozen aloe cubes into a freezer bag.

Any extra aloe you're not going to blend can be cut into cubes and frozen before blending.

Preserving your Aloe Vera Gel

You may add 2,000 mg powdered Vitamin C and 1,600 IU Vitamin E oil (1 Tbsp) per cup of aloe gel to help preserve it to save in your refrigerator for longer.

This should allow your aloe to last for 8 months, which is PERFECT for making a big batch at the beginning of summer!

Ways to Use Your Homemade Aloe Vera Gel:

1. Homemade hand sanitizer
2. Add to your favorite body scrub to provide more nourishment to your skin
3. Rub over your sunburned skin to help cool your skin and help it heal faster
4. Apply over minor burns to help your skin faster (best to mix with vitamin E oil)
5. Add a bit to your Peppermint Cooling Spray recipe to aid the peppermint in cooling your skin
6. Use in your favorite lotion or body butter recipe to add extra anti-aging properties
7. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into your scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, then rinsing.
8. Reduce your hair's dandruff by mixing aloe vera gel with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
9. Replace your hair conditioner with aloe gel for silkier, smoother hair.
10. Add aloe to your hair mask to increase its effects
11. Use aloe gel to remove your eye makeup.
12. May help soothe arthritis and rheumatism pain when used on your joints.
13. Boil some aloe gel in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to soothe breathing
14. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by adding some aloe to your toothpaste
15. Make your own mouthwash by mixing 1 cup Aloe vera with ½ cup distilled water, 2 tps baking soda and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil. 
16. Drink to help ease congestion, and support gut health.