Extracting aloe vera gel – DIY

Growing your own aloe vera plants in your own compound is easy as it only requires fair weather; warm sun and watering. Aloe vera plants do not flourish in cold temperatures. An aloe vera plant takes about 4 years to reach full maturity. Be sure to plant yours in a large pot as the plant grows to a height of up to two feet.

Extracting aloe vera gel – DIY

To harvest, choose an outer leaf which is healthy. Try to pick a leaf that is closest to the ground not to irritate the plant so that it can continue thriving. The thicker the leaf, the more gel you will extract.

Once you have dismembered the leaf from the plant, place it upright in a jar in a slightly tilted position to drain out the bitter dark resin/sap. Leave it for about 10-15 minutes. This step is important because the resin can irritate the skin if it ends up in your gel.

After the resin has drained, wash the leaf and place the aloe leaf on a chopping board. Cut off the tip and the pointed rough edges on either side of the aloe leaf. If the leaf is very and thick, you can chop it into smaller pieces to make peeling and removal of the gel easier. Cut both sides of the leaf lengthwise. Separate the front and back of the leaf from the inside.

Scoop out the muscilage and the clear inner (transparent) gel. A spoon will scoop out the aloe vera gel well. When scooping it out, it is important to press down lightly but firmly so as not to press out any remaining resin.

Place the gel in a blender and blend it. If you need to store it, add a few drops of vitamin E and a small amount of citric acid powder and blend. This will help prevent discoloration and preserve the gel for a longer period. If you do not have citric acid powder, you can simply crush a vitamin C tablet into powder form or use a drop of grapefruit seed extract. Finally, blend the mixture and strain it through a thick sieve: a fabric one will strain out the fine fibers in the gel well.

Pour the gel into a clean glass jar and cover/seal it. If the gel has foam on top, don’t worry, it will settle down. Store the aloe vera gel in a refrigerator preferably in a dark brown or green glass jar to keep out the light. Avoid exposing it to too much direct light or sun.

Tip: Fresh aloe vera gel has the best healing properties. Prolonged exposure to the air or light normally weakens these properties. It is therefore not advisable to harvest many aloe leaves all at once or store the gel for prolonged periods of time.

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Benefits of Aloe Vera as a natural skin care gel

In our previous post, we looked at the ‘what’ of the Aloe Vera plant and the general benefits of its gel. Today we look at the detailed benefits and common uses of this natural gel in skin care; the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of Aloe Vera gel.

Skin healer – Aloe Vera gel has antibiotic and antimicrobial properties hence great for use as an antiseptic ointment. It provides a solution to many skin problems from blemishes, acne, shingles, eczema, herpes, rosacea to rashes with no side effects as it is raw and organic. Applied to wounds, cuts, burns, insect bites and stings, it accelerates healing by promoting formation of new tissue and growth of blemish-free healthy skin. This is because it contains gibberellins, growth hormones that stimulate growth of healthy skin cells, and limits formation of scar tissue.

Skin Repair – Aloe Vera gel is exceptionally rich in amino acids, vitamins A, B12, C, E, F and niacin and polysaccharides. These nutrients give it the hydrating properties and quickly penetrates the skin leaving the skin soft, supple and deeply moisturized hence improving the skin’s texture and firmness. It counteracts the effects of weather or age especially wrinkles.  

Skin Soother – Aloe Vera gel has soothing properties similar to menthol making it a great skin soother. Its hydrating properties make it a good moisturizer as it leaves a protective layer on the skin that locks in moisture. It works wonderfully on sunburns and other damage like burns, scalds and chapped or cracked skin. Hydrated skin is soft and recovers fast from damage.

Shaving Gel – Aloe Vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties hence when used as a shaving gel; it leaves the skin smooth giving you that needed close shave. Due to its hydrating nature, you can also apply as an aftershave to prevent razor burn.

Strains and muscle pains – Aloe Vera gel is absorbed quickly by the skin and reduces inflammation and pain. It is effective on strains, sprains, muscle pains and arthritic pain. It is also a great compress for tired and puffy eyes.

Makeup remover - Aloe Vera gel is a perfect alternative to oil based make up removers.

Scalp and hair care – Aloe Vera gel is a good treatment for dandruff, seborrhea, psoriasis and hair loss that results from these scalp conditions.

How to use Aloe Vera gel

Cleanse and dab your skin dry with a clean towel. 

If using aloe gel, soak in cotton ball to apply. If using a fresh aloe leaf, peel the skin and apply directly on the skin. Let it dry out before rinsing with warm water.

For skin healing, use daily; 2-3 times a day for a start. When the skin improves, reduce to at least 3 times per week till it completely heals. 

For general skin care, use it alone or along with your favorite oil or butter to keep the skin moisturized and soft.

To apply on scalp and hair, rub or comb small amounts through your hair. Style as usual.  

For strains and sprains, apply aloe gel with a cold compress to the sore area 2-3 times a day.

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