The aloe vera plant is a succulent that is very moisturizing. The leaves contain a gel which is very good for sunburns, wounds, insect bites and other skin problems. It is very soothing and works well to make the skin soft and nourished. It is an antioxidant and is rich in polysaccharides which make it very good for the skin. It is also rich in various minerals and vitamins such as vitamins A, C, and E, which help to promote wound healing and healthy skin. It also has many other amazing health benefits.
Store-bought aloe vera gel sometimes contains harmful ingredients in the form of dyes, stabilizers, and artificial colour. Aloe Vera gel can be easily made at home. You just have to add a thickener to get the gel like consistency that store-bought aloe gel has. You also have to add a broad spectrum preservative so that it can be stored at room temperature.
Aloe Vera gel is very easy to make. If you have the plant at home, it makes it easier. But you can always buy aloe vera in the market. One leaf will be more than enough.
Let us see how to make this aloe vera gel
How to make Aloe Vera Gel
To make the aloe vera gel at home, you will need
Ingredients
- 75ml of aloe vera juice
- 1/2 tsp of Guar gum/xanthan gum
- 2 tsp of vegetable glycerin
- 5-6 drops of E
- 0.4g (7-8 drops)Broad spectrum preservative optiphen plus
First of all you have to remove the gel from the leaf. Cut a leaf out from the aloe vera plant if you have one or you can buy it from a store.
How to remove the gel from the aloe leaf
Leave the aloe vera leaf standing with the cut portion down so that the yellow latex can drain out. It is very important to do this as the latex can lead to allergic reactions. Keep it standing for 10-15 minutes.
Now cut the thorns out on both sides of the leaf. Also peel the top layer of the leaf with a knife. You can now see the gel inside which can be scraped off with a spoon or a knife.
How to make Aloe vera juice
Crush the gel that you scraped off from the leaf with your hands and then place it in a blender and blend well. Sieve the blended gel and you get your aloe vera juice. Measure out 95g of aloe juice and keep aside.
Method
Take a bowl and add 1/2 a tsp of guar gum. Add 1 tsp of vegetable glycerin to it and mix thoroughly, till it has completely dissolved in the glycerin and is a smooth paste. Now add the 75ml of aloe juice to it and mix well till it reaches a gel consistency. Then add the vitamin E and a broad spectrum preservative of your choice and blend it into the gel. The amount of preservative will depend on which one you are using. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction on the label.
What is Guar gum
Guar gum is made from the legume called guar beans (cluster beans). It is used in food manufacturing because it is soluble in water, and absorbs it forming a gel that thickens and bind products. Guar Gum, when compared to other thickening agents, can be added to aqueous solutions without prior heating. Also, tiny amounts of Guar Gum can enhance a product’s consistency because of its thickening effectiveness.
How to use this aloe vera gel
This gel can be applied by itself on the face and body as it will act as a moisturizer. You can also leave it overnight. The aloe gel can also be used to make face creams and lotions. Some other uses are:
- Soothes sunburns.
- Fights acne
- Eases the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
- Hydrates and nourishes the skin
- Soothes dried and cracked feet and helps to reduce the pain resulting from corn
Watch this video on How to make this night cream with aloe gel and orange infused oil.
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