Pure aloe vera is healing for the body inside and out. I use aloe vera in almost all of my skin and hair care recipes, and also as the base in some of my smoothies. I have always purchased aloe vera juice or inner fillet from either the grocery store or from Mountain Rose Herbs, yet never purchased pure aloe vera in its most natural form. I don’t know why it took me so long, but I finally bought an aloe vera leaf yesterday.
I am in complete shock with how different aloe vera gel is directly from the plant versus when you buy it already bottled.
I purchased an aloe vera leaf from a local organic grocery store for $5. I simply cut a slice of the aloe vera leaf to obtain the gel. I cut off the spiny part of the leaf first, then the top and bottom layer of the rind. I started cutting with the large knife shown in the picture below, later switching to a smaller syringed knife for better control. I then put the thick nutrient rich gel in my food processor and blended thoroughly.
Even aloe vera fillet purchased from the health food store does not have the texture or qualities of pure aloe vera straight from the leaf. My first surprise was how pure aloe vera has a mucilage like consistency similar to flaxseed gel yet with a frothy texture when blended.
Pure aloe vera is very slimy to the touch and also slippery.
This gel felt amazing on my skin, and more wonderful on my hair which dried even softer than before. My second surprise was how bitter pure aloe vera is compared to the aloe vera juice that I usually buy. Bitter herbs are the healthiest for the body, and the purer the aloe vera the more benefits that it will contain.
Aloe vera has been called the “miracle plant” and been used for centuries for medicinal purposes and for beauty.
It is most known for its ability to heal wounds by promoting cell growth and repair. This alone makes it wonderful for any skin irritations, counteracting wrinkles, and other skin ailments. Consuming pure aloe vera is especially healing to the liver, heart, and spleen as well as the digestive system. To learn more on aloe vera go here.
It is very clear to me that all aloe vera is not created equal. How do you use aloe vera for your health and beauty?
(Images by Dawn Michelle)
nadine says
I really want to incorporate aloe vera in my diet. I’ve heard mucous like substances such as aloe flaxseed and chia seeds are great for overall internal health. I use aloe in my raw honey masks and flaxseed hair gel.
Rae says
I use Jason’s 98 percent aloe vera.
We don’t have a real plant at home but that would have been nice.
Jean says
It’s incredible, isn’t it? As a kid in Hawai’i, aloe vera leaves were everywhere and whenever I fell and scraped my knee, I’d snap off a leaf and rub the gel on my cut until I got home to clean and bandage it. Never had a problem with it and it always soothed the pain. 🙂 I also used it against sunburns.
I love pure aloe vera – wonderful stuff!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jean, I love Hawaii!! I remember having fresh guava fruits for the first time there. Absolutely delicious! Best Wishes!
Laura says
Fantastic! I look forward to trying it.
I don’t know if this is true but I keep reading online that the bitter yellow part that surrounds the pulp (aloin) may be poisonous. I wonder if it is difficult to separate by hand, with a knife (if it is solid)?
The picture really makes me want to purchase an aloe plant!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Laura, Yes the yellow sap from aloe vera leaves should be avoided yet easily rinses away. Hope that helps. Enjoy your day!
Sheana says
I LOVE ALOE VERA!!!!
Sheana says
…pressed enter too fast! I love aloe vera… I mix it with lotions and add it to deep conditioners. I have yet to use the actual plant, but I use Trader Joe’s 99% Aloe Vera gel. I want to incorporate the juice into my diet too.
Cathy_H says
Since I read this post I ditched my lotion and purchased aloe vera that you can drink from the health food store. It is really working. My skin is soft without being as clogged. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Dawn Michelle says
I’m so glad that this has been helpful to your Cathy. When I used the aloe vera from the plant as a body lotion my skin felt amazing too! It also makes a great toner under your moisturizer or makeup. Enjoy your day!
allthatglitters says
Hi I wanted some advice
I have really dry skin!! What do you recommend i can use?
I also have stretchmarks, that are quite severe. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much. Looovvve your site!!
Thanks
Dawn Michelle says
Hi allthatglitters, I wrote today’s article on caring for dry skin. I hope that it is helpful to you and let me know if you have any other questions. Best wishes!
https://www.minimalistbeauty.com/7-steps-to-consoling-dry-skin
Danielle says
How do you store the aloe vera once it has been processed? Do you store in a mason jar in the fridge?
Dawn Michelle says
I always store my aloe vera in the fridge in a clean jar or bottle.
BohemianChic88 says
I am so damn glad I found your site. Just a wealth of information. Aloe is a wonderful plant with so many uses. Which is why I love the natural way.
Dawn Michelle says
Welcome BohemianChic88! Aloe is pretty awesome!
Jarrod LaCarta says
Hey
What brand of Aloe Vera Juice do you normally buy? I want to start drinking in it order to help my skin and overall health. Me and mom already use the plant for our hair, and we absolutely love it! 🙂
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Jarrod, I buy aloe vera juice by the gallon at Trader Joe’s.
Kaila says
It’s funny to see how you guys buy aloe vera, while in the Caribbean everyone has it growing in their yard, You should try growing it
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kaila, I would love to grow my own aloe, yet I don’t have a yard. Maybe sometime in the future. You are so lucky to have aloe vera already growing in your yard. Thanks for your comment!
mizkayzee says
i have tried used aloe vera as a conditioner but got flakes, i think maybe i needed to blend and strain some more, what do u think, any advice would be greatly appreciated
Dawn Michelle says
Hi mizkayzee,
Try out one of these recipes for some way to incorporate pure aloe in a simple DIY conditioner:
DIY Leave-In Conditioner–Simple Green Beauty
DIY Curl Conditioning Serum
Let me know how they work out! You may also like this article. Hope this helps.
cynthia says
hi, i live in the caribean and i have a lot of aloe vera plants growing in my yard it spreed easily. yesterday my husban told me,he was going to thow it away because i dont use it and they are ocupatin space in the backyard …. so i though >>>hum.. let me search some beauty tips and i find your blog…thank you…
Dawn Michelle says
I’m so glad Cynthia! Best wishes!
Esther says
Hi there, I love your website!
I’m looking for an alternative to facial creams, finding that it never fits my skin type. I have mixed skin with dark pigment spots because of zits, with very dry area’s. If I don’t use a cream I get white marks on my face.
Do you think using pure aloe vera daily instead of a cream would help ? And if so, do you think I should buy the leaf (probably not available in Holland) or will eco-aloe be fine?
With kind regards
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ester, Aloe vera will be a great moisturizer, yet if you have dehydrated or dry skin you may want to also use a natural oil to maintain that moisture in your skin especially during the winter. I have a few favorites such as jojoba oil and tamanu oil and I will sometimes use shea butter if my skin feels extremely dry. Rosehips oil is also amazing! Best wishes!
Carla says
I have a huge aloe Vera plant in my yard, about two weeks ago I started cutting a leaf and every night I cut a piece and rub the gel all over my face. I think it’s helping with acne. Is it ok to do this or should I get all the pulp out and put in a jar?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Carla,
I’m thinking that you could cut pieces of the aloe leaf and use the gel as needed however you like. Just refrigerate the leaf and the gel afterwards to extend the shelf life since they are perishable products. Aloe is amazing for skin and hair so I’m glad you are enjoying its benefits.
Best wishes!
Kasia says
Hi Dawn Michelle,
We used to have a lot of aloe vera as plants at home! They are easy to grow. Me & husband wole sometimes put it on the face, however my skin would feel very itchy and I had to wash it straight away. My husband didn’t have that reaction. Is this a sign of allergy or cause my skin is a lot thinner than his? My skin feels dry recently and I thought I start using aloe again. Any suggestions ? Maybe I should dilute the gel with some water and then apply to my face?
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Kasia,
What you are describing sounds like an allergic reaction or simply that your skin does not like aloe vera gel/juice. All 100% natural products don’t work for everyone, yet there is still so many other things that you can choose from. You can see more ideas on 100% natural skin care in this series.
Have a beautiful day!
Madelena says
Was referred to your site by the Love Raw Vegan on YouTube!
Made my own body wash yesterday with gentle baby Castile soap, raw organic honey, raw aloe from leaf, vanilla bean & almond extract. A very gentle and hydrating cleanser on my body and face. I’m comfortable ditching my sore bought chemical doused body wash now. Thanks for inspiring me to make changes in my cosmetics, hair and skin care!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Madelena,
Your recipe sounds nice and the aloe vera will help lower the pH of the Castile soap. Also I love vanilla!! Best wishes!
Tracey says
Hello Dawn Michelle,
Can you advise me on a DIY body cleanser I am trying to create, that would be best for my really really dry skin. I was thinking of mixing colloidal oatmeal, acerola powder, dried rosemary herb together and then adding a humectant; but, I can’t decide on whether to use aloe vera or vegetable glycerine. I would prefer which ever would help my skin best absorb the ingredients. So my question is, which one would you choose because I’m stumped. Also, does this combination make sense, would you add or negate anything?
Thank you for all your work.
ps. Your blog has been my go-to since 2014, Lol. But life got in the way and now I’m back!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tracey,
The best way to discover what you like when creating any product is to try all of the variations that make sense to you and see what you love best. It is a serious trial and error process which I know too well. Since I have not worked with acerola powder I don’t know what I can say about it. I did share some simple DIY body care recipes here though. Best wishes!