How to make Aloe vera oil (3 ways)

Learn 3 ways to make aloe vera oil and ways to use it for skin and hair. Packed with vitamins and minerals, using nourishing homemade aloe vera oil in cosmetics has numerous benefits.

Making aloe oil has been on my to-do list for some time. The benefits of aloe vera oil have been known for a long time, but I was waiting for the right moment to proceed. I have been doing many herbal-infused oils in the past, but aloe vera is a plant with very different properties. The unique and delicate aloe plant contains high water content, and I wasn’t sure how to incorporate it into the oil. The moisture makes the oil sensitive to potential bacteria growth.

Making aloe oil has been on my to-do list for some time. Learning all its benefits and variety of uses I was just waiting for the right moment to proceed. Well, I have been doing many herbal-infused oils in the past, but aloe vera is a plant with very different properties. The unique and delicate aloe vera plant contains a lot of moisture, and I wasn’t sure how to incorporate it into the oil. The moisture also makes the oil sensitive to be a potential breeding ground for bacteria.

What is aloe vera oil?

Aloe vera oil is made by maceration of aloe leaves in a carrier oil of your choice. This herbal infusion enables the plant to extract its medicinal properties into the oil that can be later used in other skin or hair care products such as soaps, creams, salves, or DIY hair conditioners or masks. Another way to preserve its leaves is to powder them into aloe vera powder with similar medicinal benefits and uses as oil.

How to make aloe vera oil (3 ways)

There are several ways of making aloe vera oil, and each has pros and cons, and you can decide which one will be best for you.

Aloe vera leaf contains a gel that makes it thick. This gel is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants however contains liquid that can make the infused oil go rancid.

1. method

The safest method to macerate dried leaves in a carrier oil. 

Pros: This way, we will create a stable product free of any moisture that will contain most of the medicinal properties of aloe. 

Cons: By drying the moisture parts of aloe leaves, we will lose some of their medicinal benefits as the gel contains bioactive compounds that include vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 

2. method

Slowly cook fresh Aloe vera gel with oil on the stove till the mixture curdles. Strain it afterward.

Pros: This method enables to the inclusion of aloe gel with its medicinal benefits in the mixture.

Cons: Boiling or heating aloe vera at a higher temperature than 50 C (122 F) will kill many nutrients. 

3. method

Blending fresh aloe vera with oil 

Pros: This method’s advantage is keeping aloe vera’s medicinal properties in the mixture, thus making a valuable concentrate.

Cons: This combination contains a relatively large amount of water components, leading to an unstable product that spoils easily unless you use preservatives. Moreover, the gel is a water-soluble substance that will stay separated from the oil unless you add some emulsifiers. 

Considering all pros and cons, I decided to go for the safest yet most effective method.

Homemade Aloe vera oil.

First step – Prepare aloe vera leaves for drying.

Rinse them thoroughly, cut the sharp edges on the sides, and let the yellow latex drop off.

If you have large aloe leaves, cut them into thin slices as per the image below.

If you use small aloe vera leaves, cut them along the length into two equal parts.

Spread them on parchment paper in a dry place for one week until dried completely. 

Alternatively, use a dehydrator or oven to speed up the process. Just make sure not to use a higher temperature than 50 C (122F) to keep as many valuable substances as possible.

Second step – combine dried aloe leaves with a carrier oil.

Once the leaves are dried and brittle, place them into a sterilized glass jar. Pour over the extra virgin olive oil so all leaves are covered completely. You can use any oil for the infusion, such as coconut oil, almond oil, or jojoba oil. 

Third step – the infusion process.

Place the jar with leaves in a double boiler and start to warm the surrounding water up. Use a thermometer, do not exceed 50C (122F) in temperature. Let it infuse for at least 5 hours.

Fourth step – Strain the oil.

Please remove it from the heat, let it cool down, and strain the herbal material. Then, your infused oil is ready to be used.

If you are not in a hurry, you can infuse the oil for four weeks in a sunny place. 

Aloe oil benefits

Aloe oil possesses many medicinal properties for the skin and hair. However, I use it in dressings for salads or in other culinary adventures. This oil certainly deserves your attention and its place in your apothecary.

For skin

heals burns

Olive oil and aloe boost collagen, and poses soothing and antibacterial properties, which are all beneficial for healing mild burns and sunburns(1) 

For eczema

If you are an eczema sufferer you might appreciate its moisturizing effect on dry and itchy skin associated with.

Psoriasis

If you are an eczema sufferer, you might appreciate its moisturizing effect on dry and itchy skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties might help with itchiness and information when you have psoriasis (2)

Moisturizing oil

Aloe can also seal the moisture in the skin and serve, therefore, as a regular moisturizer for dry skin. 

For acne

Aloe vera may also help to treat the inflammatory form of acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties (3) 

Heals scars and marks

Fibers such as collagen are responsible for reparating scars and marks. Aloe oil can increase its production and therefore contribute to the healing process. (4)

Insect bites

Aloe oil is an antiseptic agent that helps reduce pain, swelling, and itching, which makes it ideal for aiding mosquito bites. 

For hair

for hair growth

Aloe oil made it to the hall of fame with its ability to stimulate hair growth.

Aloe vera can promote hair growth by rejuvenating hair follicles and clearing dead skin cells.

There are plenty of people claiming that Aloe vera oil can help hair to grow faster however, more clinical evidence is needed to prove this claim.

Strengthen hair strands

Aloe vera contains many valuable vitamins and minerals that contribute to cell turnover. Hair fall is one of the most common issues. Vitamin B12 and folic acid keep the hair from falling out. In addition, Aloe vera oil nourishes hair and contributes to better texture, adding shine to your frizzy hair.

Calms dry and itchy scalp

The fatty acids in aloe vera oil have anti-inflammatory properties (5) and may help resolve the problem of dandruff and skin (seborrheic dermatitis) (6).

ANTIFUNGAL

Using aloe can help prevent fungal infections. It reduces the growth of fungus on the scalp, which leads to infections. 

Using aloe vera oil for hair growth, dandruff, and skin

for skin

• Apply the oil to the skin to hydrate and moisturize it, or add a few drops to your daily moisturizer.
• Drop a few drops onto the burn and gently massage it into the skin until it’s fully absorbed. Repeat several times a day to help soothe and heal the burn or sunburn. Use it as a carrier oil in homemade sunscreen.
• Use the oil to moisturize dry and itchy skin. This aloe cream nourishes and heals itchy and dry skin conditions. Similarly, Cucumber oil also works.
• For acne-prone skin add a few drops to this toner for acne-prone skin.
• Rub the affected areas to reduce the pain. To enhance the effect, combine aloe oil with peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil to give a soothing and cooling effect. This oil soothes sunburns, insect bites, and minor skin irritations. Use this aloe oil to make this bug bite cream to ease mosquito bites.

For hair growth

• Massage Aloe hair oil into your scalp and hair to improve hair health and growth, or add a few drops to this hair growth oil. 

To apply oil at home:

1. Start by washing your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove any build-up of product or dirt.
2. Put a small amount of oil in a bowl and warm it up by placing the bowl in hot water.
3. Part your hair into sections and use your fingers to massage the warm Aloe oil into your scalp. Make sure to cover your entire area, paying extra attention to any dry or itchy areas.
4. After you have massaged it into your scalp, cover your hair with a shower cap to help the oil penetrate your hair.
5. Let the oil sit on your hair and scalp for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it. Aloe vera oil contains nutrients that keep your hair and scalp healthy.
6. After the allotted time, rinse it out of your hair with lukewarm water. You can also use this Aloe vera conditioner to boost the effect.

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