Wonderful Aloe Vera
The aloe vera plant (also called Aloe barbadensis) is unique among plants for its importance in the cosmetics industry. Cosmetics products made with aloe vera are used to treat everything from dry and scaly skin to chapped lips and dermatitis. Aloe vera is most noted for its gel and juice which is widely used in creams, lotions, shampoos and a variety of other cosmetic preparations. Aloe vera gel and juice are available commercially in liquid and in dehydrated form. An oil-soluble extract is also produced from the aloe vera plant. It is sold under the names aloe vera oil and aloe vera extract.
Aloe vera pulp is the clear, thick substance inside of the aloe vera leaf. (It is often called aloe vera gel, but it is usually treated before it is sold commercially). Aloe vera juice is made by liquefying aloe vera pulp. Aloe vera gel is made by adding a thickener such as irish moss to aloe vera juice. Aloe vera oil is made by extracting oil-soluble portions of the aloe vera plant into a light vegetable oil, such as safflower oil. Aloe vera juice, gel and oil can be used in cosmetics. To make your own aloe vera juice and oil see "Making Your Own Aloe Vera Juice and Oil" below.
Here are some ideas for incorporating aloe vera into your cosmetic formulas.
If you grow your own aloe vera plant at home, you can enjoy the luxury of using freshly made aloe juice and oil in your cosmetics. To make your own aloe vera juice, scrape the gel out of a leaf, and put it in a blender with an equal amount of distilled water. Blend on medium, strain and then use as needed. To make your own aloe vera oil, scrape the gel out of a leaf. Add the gel, with the leaf in a blender. Add a small amount of vegetable oil. Blend on medium and let sit for one day. Strain the oil to remove any large particles. Use as needed.
Aloe vera gel and juice are highly perishable, and should only be used in cosmetics that are self-preserving (such as cosmetics that contain a high percentage of soap, alcohol, glycerin or other preservative) or in cosmetics that will be used up quickly. Also, some people may be allergic to aloe vera, or the preservatives that are used in commercially available aloe vera gel and aloe vera extract. If in doubt, perform a patch test on yourself before using aloe vera in your cosmetics.
Aloe Vera Toner
Use this toner after washing your face to remove any residue left on your skin.
Combine in a clean bottle:
Soothing Aloe-Oatmeal-Mint Bath Scrub
Tie up the following ingredients in a piece of cheesecloth (or other fine meshed cloth). Use in place of a washcloth when taking a shower.
Aloe Vera Liquid Shampoo
Aloe vera is added to this shampoo recipe for any beneficial effects it may have on the hair. The vegetable oil is added as a conditioning ingredient, and can be omitted if you have oily hair.
Combine in a clean bottle:
Aloe Vera and Vinegar Hair Rinse
Use this hair rinse after shampooing to remove any residue.
Combine in a clean bottle:
Lavender-Aloe Bath Salts
You will need
Aloe-Jojoba Bath and Body Oil
Use this oil as an effective moisturizer either during the bath or after. Combine in a clean bottle:
Shake well. Makes about 12 oz. of bath oil.
Aloe vera pulp is the clear, thick substance inside of the aloe vera leaf. (It is often called aloe vera gel, but it is usually treated before it is sold commercially). Aloe vera juice is made by liquefying aloe vera pulp. Aloe vera gel is made by adding a thickener such as irish moss to aloe vera juice. Aloe vera oil is made by extracting oil-soluble portions of the aloe vera plant into a light vegetable oil, such as safflower oil. Aloe vera juice, gel and oil can be used in cosmetics. To make your own aloe vera juice and oil see "Making Your Own Aloe Vera Juice and Oil" below.
Using Aloe Vera In Your Cosmetics
Here are some ideas for incorporating aloe vera into your cosmetic formulas.
- Aloe Vera Bath Salts: add a small amount of aloe vera oil or dehydrated aloe vera gel to Epsom salt or sea salt to make Aloe Vera Bath Salts.
- Aloe Vera Bath and Body Oils: add a small amount of aloe vera oil and your favorite essential oil or fragrance oil to a blend of light vegetable oils (such as corn oil, jojoba oil or sunflower oil) to make aloe vera bath oils, aloe vera body oils and aloe vera hair oils.
- Aloe Vera Soaps: to make aloe vera liquid soaps add some aloe vera gel or aloe vera oil to liquid castile soap. To make aloe vera bar soaps from scratch replace some of the water in your recipe with aloe vera gel or juice or replace some of the oils in your recipe with aloe vera oil. To make aloe vera soap from premade soap you can melt down soap flakes, add some aloe vera oil or gel to the melted solution, stir well and pour into soap molds.
Making Your Own Aloe Vera Juice and Oil
If you grow your own aloe vera plant at home, you can enjoy the luxury of using freshly made aloe juice and oil in your cosmetics. To make your own aloe vera juice, scrape the gel out of a leaf, and put it in a blender with an equal amount of distilled water. Blend on medium, strain and then use as needed. To make your own aloe vera oil, scrape the gel out of a leaf. Add the gel, with the leaf in a blender. Add a small amount of vegetable oil. Blend on medium and let sit for one day. Strain the oil to remove any large particles. Use as needed.
Precautions When Using Aloe Vera In Your Cosmetics
Aloe vera gel and juice are highly perishable, and should only be used in cosmetics that are self-preserving (such as cosmetics that contain a high percentage of soap, alcohol, glycerin or other preservative) or in cosmetics that will be used up quickly. Also, some people may be allergic to aloe vera, or the preservatives that are used in commercially available aloe vera gel and aloe vera extract. If in doubt, perform a patch test on yourself before using aloe vera in your cosmetics.
Aloe Vera Recipes
Aloe Vera Toner
Use this toner after washing your face to remove any residue left on your skin.
Combine in a clean bottle:
- 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
- 1/2 cup of witch hazel extract
- 1/4 cup of glycerin (omit if you have oily skin)
Soothing Aloe-Oatmeal-Mint Bath Scrub
Tie up the following ingredients in a piece of cheesecloth (or other fine meshed cloth). Use in place of a washcloth when taking a shower.
- 1/4 cup powdered oatmeal
- 1/4 cup soap flakes
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil
- 1 tsp dehydrated aloe vera gel
Aloe Vera Liquid Shampoo
Aloe vera is added to this shampoo recipe for any beneficial effects it may have on the hair. The vegetable oil is added as a conditioning ingredient, and can be omitted if you have oily hair.
Combine in a clean bottle:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1/4 cup liquid soap
- 1/2 cup distilled water
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil (omit for oily hair)
- several drops of your favorite essential oils (optional)
Aloe Vera and Vinegar Hair Rinse
Use this hair rinse after shampooing to remove any residue.
Combine in a clean bottle:
- 1/4 cup aloe vera gel
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups distilled water
- 1 tsp. of your favorite fragrance or essential oil
Lavender-Aloe Bath Salts
You will need
- 1/2 cup of Epsom salts
- 1/2 cup sea salt
- 1 tsp lavender essential oil
- 10 drops sandalwood essential oil
- 1 tbsp aloe oil
Aloe-Jojoba Bath and Body Oil
Use this oil as an effective moisturizer either during the bath or after. Combine in a clean bottle:
- 1/4 cup jojoba oil
- 1/4 cup aloe vera oil
- 1 cup safflower oil
- 1 tbsp wheatgerm oil
- 1-2 tbsp of your favorite essential oil or fragrance oil blend.
Shake well. Makes about 12 oz. of bath oil.