Do I need FOOD GRADE Aloe Vera?

[Stelmaria]

I have been spritzing my hair before bed with a mixture of Aloe Vera gel and water, then sealing with coconut oil. It has been wonderfully moisturizing, not crunchy like when I tried it with straight AVG. Now I'm wondering if I should be using the food grade stuff for better results. It's quite expensive, so I wanted to find out whether anyone else has noticed a difference between the tube gel and food grade stuff, and whether it is worth the huge price difference. Also, is there a noticeable difference it I use Aloe Vera juice instead of watered down gel?

[IndigoInk]

I bought the one that I've seen suggested on here a lot, it's by Fruit of the Earth has no alcohol and is clear instead of fake green or blue :P

I personally like it quite a bit.

[Stelmaria]

Thanks IndigoInk! I use the Walgreens brand, clear, no alcohol. It's probably the same as Fruit of the Earth. So I take it that most ladies here don't use the food grade type that you have to refrigerate?

[Silverlox]

Nope, I don't use the overly expensive food grade AVG. I got the one with no dyes, no alcohol, 99% pure for external use. I tend to see my hair and scalp as external. :p

Regarding coconut oil, I do use the food grade one, but only because I couldn't find the unrefined at my health food store. The non-food grade is supposedly better for your hair but shouldn't be eaten as the long chains of fatty acids aren't good for your health.

[Stelmaria]

Silverlox, I did not know that about non-food grade coconut oil being better. I will have to look for that. I just recently switched from unrefined to refined because I didn't like the way coconut oil smells the next day. And to my surprise the refined worked better on my hair. Maybe it has a smaller molecule, but for whatever reason it was better able to penetrate my strands.

Thanks for the advice!

[Silverlox]

You're welcome! :flower:

And yes, one of the differences between unrefined and food grade coconut oil is that the unrefined has a distinct coconut smell, think Hawaiian Tropic sun tan lotion. :p
The refined, or food grade, has no particular scent at all, at least not one that my nose reacts to in any way.

[icydove]

I tried the Lily of the Desert aloe vera gel that had to be refrigerated, but I didn't think it worked as well as the Fruit of the Earth kind and I couldn't stand the smell. I hate that the FOTE has preservatives and such, but I haven't found a better substitute I can live with.

[burns_erin]

I use food grade (or actual plants when i can get my hands on it) and it works well for me. But I only really go there because I have really severe skin sensitivities.

[creativehoney]

I found some aloe Vera gel in our medicine cabinet, but its for sunburns there isn't any alcohols in it but it has lidocaine in it a topical analagesic.
Is that an ingredient in aloe or should I find an a different kind?

[SimplyLonghair]

I found some aloe Vera gel in our medicine cabinet, but its for sunburns there isn't any alcohols in it but it has lidocaine in it a topical analagesic.
Is that an ingredient in aloe or should I find an a different kind?
Find a different one. Lidocaine is not part of aloe. It is not something that I would want on my hair either. :rolleyes:

[tooqute2nv]

I've always enjoyed using aloe vera on sun burns, and from the actual aloe vera plant on my hands, but I'd never thought to put it on my scalp and hair!! :o

So what are the brands that everybody uses?? Food grade, or not??

The Fruit of the Earth one isn't actually "pure" aloe vera, but is still okay to use?

[SimplyLonghair]

I use both FOTE and a liquid aloe that is food grade. I think that it is called Georges but not sure. I use them for different things. I even used the liquid aloe in a face cream that I made. It works wonderfully.:D

[Mabel Grey]

Silly question. What is the aloe used for when you apply it to your hair?

[Heavenly Locks]

Silly question. What is the aloe used for when you apply it to your hair?

As far as I know, it is used as an ingredient in a moisture treatment that is rinsed out. Also it can be used as a 'gel' to tame fly aways and make braids look neat. :)

[Mabel Grey]

As far as I know, it is used as an ingredient in a moisture treatment that is rinsed out. Also it can be used as a 'gel' to tame fly aways and make braids look neat. :)

Thank you, so much. Will have to try, since I always wear a braid. 8)