Smart hair lovers appreciate aloe vera gel for its ability to keep the hair shiny, smooth, and healthy.
Sadly, this natural hair ingredient is known to go rancid quickly, especially if you prepare it yourself at home.
But there’s good news.
You can keep your aloe gel fresh using simple stuff around the home.
This post will explain how to preserve aloe vera gel with coconut oil and other ingredients you probably never considered.
Pick any of these exciting yet practical tips to preserve your aloe gel.
- How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Coconut Oil
- How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E Oil
- How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Freezer
- How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel Without Fridge
- Why Aloe Vera Gel Needs to Be Preserved
- Frequently Asked Questions on How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel
- How Much Coconut Oil to Add to Aloe Vera Gel?
- How Should I Store Aloe Vera Gel?
- How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Last?
- How Do You Preserve Homemade Aloe Vera Gel?
- What Happens When You Mix Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera?
- Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel Straight From The Plant?
- Does Homemade Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
- Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel On My Hair Everyday?
- Preserve Your Aloe
How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Coconut Oil
One way to preserve aloe vera gel is to use coconut oil.
Coconut oil is a natural, plant-based oil that has many beneficial properties.
It is known for being highly moisturizing, which makes it an ideal ingredient for preserving aloe vera gel.
The combination of coconut oil and aloe vera gel locks in moisture, which helps keep the gel from drying out and losing its potency.
One of coconut oil’s exciting properties is its resistance to rancidity.
It contains Lauric acid, an ingredient that prevents the growth of microorganisms.
So coconut oil prevents microbes and molds from growing within your aloe gel, causing spoilage.
To preserve aloe vera gel with coconut oil, follow these steps:
- Extract/pour your aloe vera gel into a small, airtight container.
- Add half of the coconut oil to the gel and mix until they form a thick paste.
- Place the container in the fridge.
This method allows you to preserve your coconut oil for about two months.
How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is a moisturizing and antioxidant oil derived from vitamin E.
You can also use this excellent oil to preserve aloe vera gel.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Scoop out the gel in a blender
- Add half parts of vitamin E oil (for example, half a cup of vitamin E oil to one cup of aloe vera gel) and blend
- Pour the mixture into a container and store it in the fridge.
Like coconut oil, vitamin E oil can preserve aloe vera gel for up to two months.
How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Freezer
The freezer method is the surest way to preserve aloe vera gel.
By keeping the aloe gel frozen, you can keep its freshness until you need it or for up to a year.
Here’s what to do:
- Extract the aloe vera gel into a container
- Bring out an empty ice tray and fill it with the aloe vera gel
- Return the ice tray to the freezer and refrigerate it overnight so that it forms ice cubes
- Keep the gel cubes refrigerated until you need them.
When you need aloe cubes for your hair, let them defrost, and add some warm hair oil of your choice (coconut oil is my all-time favorite!).
Mix the aloe gel with oil and apply it to your hair.
In its frozen state, aloe vera gel is a hot cake for skin care.
It works for soothing sunburns and dry skin.
You can also place aloe gel cubes on the affected area as a first aid treatment if you get burnt.
How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel Without Fridge
Sadly, this doesn’t work.
Fresh aloe vera gel would only last a day or two outside a fridge or freezer.
But if you put your new aloe gel in an airtight container and place it in a refrigerator, it can last up to a week.
Note: Even when you mix oils with aloe vera gel to preserve it, you still need to place the mix in a fridge for up to two months.
Why Aloe Vera Gel Needs to Be Preserved
Aloe vera gel is a natural, nutrient-rich product used for various purposes, such as skincare and hair care, and even as a natural remedy for sunburns.
But you must take steps to preserve aloe vera gel because it goes rancid quickly and easily.
That happens because aloe vera gel is a water-based gel.
The presence of moisture in the product encourages the growth of microorganisms like bacteria and molds, and when that happens, the aloe vera gel becomes “spoiled.”
You must preserve aloe vera gel to prevent microbial contamination and extend its shelf life.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Preserve Aloe Vera Gel
There are many popular questions about preparing and preserving aloe vera gel.
I’ve picked out the most common ones here to sate your curiosity.
How Much Coconut Oil to Add to Aloe Vera Gel?
Add three tablespoons of coconut oil to a half cup of aloe vera gel for best results.
How Should I Store Aloe Vera Gel?
You should store aloe vera gel in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
You can also store it in the refrigerator for up to a month.
However, please keep it in an airtight container to prevent it from drying.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Last?
Aloe vera gel can last up to a year when preserved in a freezer.
But without any preservation, aloe vera gel can only last a day or two.
How Do You Preserve Homemade Aloe Vera Gel?
If you’ve extracted your aloe gel at home, you can preserve it by placing it in a fridge, mixing it with coconut oil or vitamin E oil, or putting it in a freezer.
These methods can preserve your aloe vera gel for up to one week, two months, or a year respectively.
What Happens When You Mix Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera?
Apart from helping with preservation, an aloe vera and coconut oil mix are beneficial.
When you mix coconut oil and aloe vera, you create a moisturizing and nourishing blend that can help to soothe and heal dry skin.
This combination can also help to reduce inflammation, protect the skin from environmental damage, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel Straight From The Plant?
Definitely!
You can extract aloe gel from the plant and use it for your hair and skin.
If you do not have access to the aloe plant in your area, you can buy the gel at grocery stores.
Does Homemade Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, it does, and in no time.
Homemade aloe vera gel expires within a day or two if you do not take any steps to preserve it.
Store-bought aloe vera gel holds the upper hand here because it lasts longer; the manufacturer would add preservatives already.
However, the preservatives may be chemicals you do not want on your skin or hair.
It is best to get fresh aloe vera gel and preserve it using ingredients or methods you trust.
Can I Use Aloe Vera Gel On My Hair Everyday?
Most hair types will not respond well to using aloe vera gel daily.
It can overload your hair with moisture, causing easy breakage.
It is best to use aloe vera gel twice or thrice a week to prevent overuse while still giving your hair the nutrients it needs.
Preserve Your Aloe
Aloe vera gel is an excellent, nourishing, and moisturizing ingredient for the hair.
With the tips above, you can preserve your aloe gel for longer and improve the quality of your aloe vera gel.
Choose the most applicable method and enjoy your aloe gel without fear of it going rancid.
Hey, hair lover, this post may contain affiliate links. So if you buy a product through a link in the post, I’ll earn some commission at no extra cost to you.
Well done velacurls! I knew of putting it in the freezer, but adding coconut oil and others, I’ve not heard about it before. Thank you for revealing this!!!! Will try it.
Thank you, Jane!