How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?

[Becky9679]

I've read here and there on the forum that aloe vera gel is good for various things (styling, moisture, tangles, shedding) and I'm considering getting some for myself to try it out.

Who uses it and what specific effect/problems do you use it for? How much do you use? How do you use it (on wet or dry hair etc.)

Sorry if there's already a thread like this but I couldn't find one!

[hairconvictions]

Another related question: Is it relatively easy to find the non-green stuff in bulk? (In Canada/online)?

[Alienor]

No answer here but I'm concerned about this tread as I don't know how to use my aloe vera gel on hair too ;).

[Laylah]

I use AVG/shea butter to stick the ends of my curls together so they don't separate. When I plan on wearing my hair curly instead of combed out, I finger comb some AVG/shea butter through the length, run my fingers along the parts of the hair that curl in the same pattern to make them stick together, and press a little extra on the ends. I do this all while it's between damp and wet and let it dry that way. It defines my curls for about two days. I could spray it with water and redo it but usually I just comb it out after that and wear it wavy.

[Atraxi]

I use it as a hair gel on towel dried hair by applying all over nad combing through. I also use it when I do an SMT.

[florenonite]

In addition to using it as a gentle hair gel, it's good for moisture treatments like the aforementioned SMT.

[fayeelizibeth]

This is good to know! I have a BUNCH of aloe vera gel that an old roommate left behind, and the only thing I've used it for is sunburn relief...As I haven't been using most commercial hair products, it's nice to know I can open up a bottle of that stuff and put it in my hair, too :).

[neet]

Gel can be applied on scalp, which reduces hair falling.Same can be used on skin for burns and to lighten acne scars. It gives best result in irritable bowel syndrom(daily intake)

[catamonica]

I use Aloe Vera on my face. It helps smooth wrinkles. Its great for warts. And I put a capful or two in my conditioner. It makes your hair baby soft. And it heals stings.

[spookyghost]

Gel can be applied on scalp, which reduces hair falling.Same can be used on skin for burns and to lighten acne scars. It gives best result in irritable bowel syndrom(daily intake)

Good for my hair and colon-thank you! I did not know that and I have IBS so I have two wonderful reasons to use it!

[autumn leaves]

1. I use it as a hair gel, I put some into my ends to enhance my curls while my hair is still wet after washing.

2. I use it in my hairspray, where I mix it with essential oils, jojoba oil and sea salt.

[neet]

Good for my hair and colon-thank you! I did not know that and I have IBS so I have two wonderful reasons to use it!
Please do not forget to tell me the results ..:)

[chotee]

I use it straight from the garden, cut the leaf open, scrape it off, apply to my scalp. It has helped me a great deal with itching, dandruff and hair fall. I rinse it off after a while or sometimes leave it on. I have also tried it with coconut milk and rosemary both ground fresh in my mixer.smells good and great for hair.

[cooklaezo13]

I use it to slick down flyaway hairs in my updos. Basically like a hair gel. I use it on dry hair but it works for wet hair too.

[afu]

I add a bit to my conditioner when i CO (kind of like a mini SMT), as a body and face moisturiser and as a leave in (i've had good results on both dry and damp hair).

I've just mixed up some aloe vera gel with coconut oil as a leave in, it doesn't combine amazingly because of the oil seperating if left to stand but im hoping it will help me get a nice even distibution of the two instead of applying both seperatly.

These days my 'beauty kit' for hair and body just consists of cheap conditioner, aloe vera gel and coconut oil - nice and simple with great results

[Anywhere]

I use it as a hair gel on the rare occasion that I want my hair to be down and super defined. I use it like I would any other gel, flipping my hair over to get it in the crown (NOT combing fingers through, just smooshing it about), then going back to right-side-up and fingercombing more AVG into the length.


I also have been using it as a moisturizer of sorts (well, combining it with my moisturizer for the most part, but its like 80% AVG 20% moisturizer) to help clear up my acne/fix my red marks since stupid me decided to pick at *all* the lumpy spots and caused a ton of open wounds. My face is healing nicely, it's been almost a week and my face looks much better.

[Vampire]

Thx for the tips !! my father-in-law brought me a bottle of aloe vera gel from spain and i had no idea what to use it for :D
didnt even think i could use it on my hair :p

[florenonite]

Gel can be applied on scalp, which reduces hair falling.Same can be used on skin for burns and to lighten acne scars. It gives best result in irritable bowel syndrom(daily intake)

I was under the impression that aloe vera gel was inedible, or at least the preservatives in most store-bought forms are.

[FoxyRoxy13]

the kind you buy in the store for sunburns is definitely inedible but if you buy the 100% aloe vera gel exactly as is from the plant it is edible. They even have aloe vera juice you can buy and they definitely tout its benefits for the digestive system in marketing it lol. you just have to be careful what kind you buy if youre planning on ingesting it.

[afu]

I was under the impression that aloe vera gel was inedible, or at least the preservatives in most store-bought forms are.

Most of it is inedible when you buy it, even at my local health food shops its only 99.9% Aloe gel because it has preservatives. Make sure it says food grade on it before consuming (or use straight from the plant). The edible version is usually sold in juice form from my experience rather than as a gel

[florenonite]

the kind you buy in the store for sunburns is definitely inedible but if you buy the 100% aloe vera gel exactly as is from the plant it is edible. They even have aloe vera juice you can buy and they definitely tout its benefits for the digestive system in marketing it lol. you just have to be careful what kind you buy if youre planning on ingesting it.

Can you get 100% aloe vera gel at the shop? I was under the impression, as afu says, that it's 99.9% because of the preservatives, and if you want it without preservatives you have to get it from a plant regularly. Just curious :)


Most of it is inedible when you buy it, even at my local health food shops its only 99.9% Aloe gel because it has preservatives. Make sure it says food grade on it before consuming (or use straight from the plant). The edible version is usually sold in juice form from my experience rather than as a gel

Ah, right. I have seen aloe vera juice for consumption, but the AVG I bought at a health food store said it was for external use only. I wasn't sure if there was a difference between the gel and the juice or if it was just the preservatives. Must be the preservatives.

[Becky9679]

Well, I've bought some! Haven't used it on my hair yet but it is doing wonders for the eczema outbreak I've just had. I swear I can see a difference after just one day of using it.

[katiejune]

You can get edible versions at stores like GNC and Vitamin Shoppe here in the US. I've bought Aloe Vera Juice there in the past for someone with IBS but they said it tasted bad and wasted it. I never thought to use it in my hair before.

[88Marisa]

I use food grade aloe vera gel to help hold my curls after I wash to help hold the curl pattern. It doesn't feel crunchy at all unless you use a TON of it, and even then it scrunches out when dry pretty quickly. I am on a water-only routine and this is a relatively recent addition to my hair routine but I find it gives me better curl definition and my hair looks less oily for longer when I use it regularly so I'm planning on making it a permanent part of my routine. I usually only put it in my hair on the day I wash and then just scrunch in water to reactivate the curls the rest of the time.

I also use fresh aloe vera from a plant as a mask on my face several times a day. I found the stuff from the plant works better than the stuff in the bottle for this purpose. I just cut a leaf and keep it on the window sill as I cut ~1" chunks from the end, although I was going through my small aloe plant pretty fast and bought a big aloe leaf from the grocery store a few weeks ago, and will probably last at least a full month or more, which is pretty good for $3.50! I probably will get several more plants of my own in the future. I usually get 2 or 3 uses out of each small piece. A cut aloe leaf will keep quite a long time as the end will dry up and seal itself after every cut if you leave it out. It doesn't keep well in the refrigerator at all though!

I use this to tighten my skin and to help heal scarring. As warm weather rolls around, this is pretty much the only thing I've been using on my face, although if my skin is feeling dry I use a bit of shea butter too (more of an issue when it's colder). Otherwise, I just exfoliate with a washcloth and warm water (a bit of castille soap sometimes to get rid of eye makeup), then apply the fresh aloe vera and let it dry. I've noticed slow but steady improvement in my skin tone in general and in the scarring so I'm going to keep at it. It's much better than any other topical I've used because it's very mildly irritating (good for breaking down scar tissue) and soothing at the same time.

[Slug Yoga]

Thought I'd post a link to this thread from the "Mane" forums: http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=94127

It's about Fruit of the Earth aloe vera gel, and how it has an ingredient, Triethanolamine (http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredient/706639/TRIETHANOLAMINE/), known to be toxic--though it is considered safe for use in cosmetics below certain levels.

I wonder if it's that, or some other FOTE ingredients, that have given my skin an unpleasant burning sensation and made my eyes water, when I have put it on my face?

Does anyone know if you can use aloe juice in a similar way to aloe gel, or what exactly the differences are? Ginormous quantities of the juice are available in my local health-food store, whereas I cannot for the life of me find actually 100% pure aloe vera gel (no other ingredients, stabilizers, etc.) commercially.

[GrowingGlory]

Lily of the Desert certified organic aloe vera juice and gel is available in preservative-free form, pure and edible. It is reasonably priced and available at Whole Foods and online.

[darlex]

Same here. I apply blended aloe vera on my hair (with castor oil). The result was so great. However, there is one problem. White small residue was left on my hair. It seems like a lice and it is annoying.. Can anyone tell me why it did happened? Maybe because I did not filter the mask and I let it stay for too long (about 5 hours or more). But overall, I do really love the result and I want to use aloe vera again but I want to prevent having white residue when I use it again.

[pandabarrier]

Same here. I apply blended aloe vera on my hair (with castor oil). The result was so great. However, there is one problem. White small residue was left on my hair. It seems like a lice and it is annoying.. Can anyone tell me why it did happened? Maybe because I did not filter the mask and I let it stay for too long (about 5 hours or more). But overall, I do really love the result and I want to use aloe vera again but I want to prevent having white residue when I use it again.

Maybe part of the aloe vera dried on your hair. Did you cover your head with a shower cap, to prevent the mask from drying?

[- Lizzy -]

I have the kind that contains green dye (Bad ik :\ ) that is used for sunburns on my hair, face, and skin. I checked the ingredients and it isn't full of additives like some are, so it works for me for now. What I use it for in terms of hair is for the broken pieces I have that stick out everywhere on my head, and for moisture (Because I don't always like using oil)
Its pretty good and evenly distributes. You could use it for a lot of things though.

[pandabarrier]

After reading that Fruit of the Earth aloe vera gel has an ingredient known to be toxic, I decided not to use the gel I bought. I tested it on my wrist, no reaction whatsoever, but I'll be cautious and not use in SMT. I haven't tried it yet, but I'll see if FOTE can be used as leave-in.

[lapushka]

It's in the new Lidl shampoo (which is excellent BTW), it's called their "Aloe Vera + 7 herbs" shampoo and I love how this shampoo "coats" my scalp without exacerbating my SD but it keeps it somehow moist enough not to cause *any* flaking around my hairline, and with a lot of shampoos I tend to get that more towards the second half to end of the week.

[Ylva]

Resurrecting this thread to ask a question.

What can I use that kind of aloe vera gel for which contains alcohol? I've heard that it shouldn't be used on the hair. Can I use it on my skin, or is it simply bad?

[JennGalt]

Resurrecting this thread to ask a question.

What can I use that kind of alue vera gel for which contains alcohol? I've heard that it shouldn't be used on the hair. Can I use it on my skin, or is it simply bad?

That might depend on the type of alcohol, whether it’s a fatty alcohol or a drying alcohol. And how high up on the ingredient list it is. What does the label say?

[Ylva]

That might depend on the type of alcohol, whether it’s a fatty alcohol or a drying alcohol. And how high up on the ingredient list it is. What does the label say?

I see. The ingredients are: demineralized water, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, glycerin, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA, citric acid.

I suppose phenoxyethanol is a preservative here. I'm unsure if calling it an alcohol at first glance was even correct? Anyway, there's a bunch of stuff going on there, so I wouldn't mind a more educated opinion on whether this is trash or not. :)

[MusicalSpoons]

I see. The ingredients are: demineralized water, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, glycerin, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, carbomer, sodium hydroxide, disodium EDTA, citric acid.

I suppose phenoxyethanol is a preservative here. I'm unsure if calling it an alcohol at first glance was even correct? Anyway, there's a bunch of stuff going on there, so I wouldn't mind a more educated opinion on whether this is trash or not. :)

Looks to me like gel containing some aloe vera, rather than actual aloe vera gel! I don't know enough to say whether it will do your skin any good, though my gut feeling is it shouldn't do any harm - water, humectants and preservatives, sounds fairly innocuous to me.

[Ylva]

Looks to me like gel containing some aloe vera, rather than actual aloe vera gel! I don't know enough to say whether it will do your skin any good, though my gut feeling is it shouldn't do any harm - water, humectants and preservatives, sounds fairly innocuous to me.

Would it be okay to use it in hair as well?

[MusicalSpoons]

Would it be okay to use it in hair as well?

I would think so. Depending on its consistency, you might need to be aware if it dries, but I'd think it's water-soluble and easy enough to wash off (though in another thread I learned that honey isn't always as easy to wash off as it was for me so YMMV!) I ... yeah, I don't see anything in there that would hurt, but it's impossible to predict how your hair might react to it - just like anything else, sorry :flower:

[Ylva]

I would think so. Depending on its consistency, you might need to be aware if it dries, but I'd think it's water-soluble and easy enough to wash off (though in another thread I learned that honey isn't always as easy to wash off as it was for me so YMMV!) I ... yeah, I don't see anything in there that would hurt, but it's impossible to predict how your hair might react to it - just like anything else, sorry :flower:

Okay, thank you very much! I might just add it to a deep conditioner or something like that. It shouldn't be too drastic. I just want to get rid of the product do it doesn't go to waste. :)

[JennGalt]

If you’re worried about how it might affect your hair, try it on a small section of hair you can hide easily if it causes frizz or breakage or something.

The only ingredient I wouldn’t want in a leave in conditioner is the sodium hydroxide, but that’s a personal preference for me. It’s a base and could raise the cuticles if your hair, which might make it feel rough or dry if you are in a dry environment. But we don’t know what concentration it’s in, and maybe it’s not enough to even have an effect. Or maybe your hair needs that to help moisturize. Try a little and see how it goes :)

[priinnz]

I have an aloe plant. When I am feeling especially motivated, I take a leaf and scrape the gel. I then use it on my face and I tried once in SMT, but it was too lumpy, so you have to mash and strain the lumps. I like this method at it is all natural and plastic-waste free.
However, very often I am rather lazy and use the aloe vera that is sold in plastic tubes in Indian/asian shops (Patanjali aloe from Indian shops like this one is pretty good https://www.amazon.com/Patanjali-Aloe-Vera-Gel-150ml/dp/5858697046

[MusicalSpoons]

If you’re worried about how it might affect your hair, try it on a small section of hair you can hide easily if it causes frizz or breakage or something.

The only ingredient I wouldn’t want in a leave in conditioner is the sodium hydroxide, but that’s a personal preference for me. It’s a base and could raise the cuticles if your hair, which might make it feel rough or dry if you are in a dry environment. But we don’t know what concentration it’s in, and maybe it’s not enough to even have an effect. Or maybe your hair needs that to help moisturize. Try a little and see how it goes :)

I would assume the sodium hydroxide is likely to be neutralised by the citric acid? Though of course we don't know what the concentrations are, as you say.

[Ylva]

What is the sodium hydroxide actually there for?

[JennGalt]

Hydroxides have various purposes in cosmetics. It’s likely there to balance the pH, but if it isn’t pH balanced it can act as a chemical exfoliant in skin care products or may have been added to help attract water molecules.

It’s also used in soaps and as the active ingredient in chemical hair relaxers. In soaps, it reacts with other ingredients and very little ends up in the finished product. In relaxers, it is present in much higher concentrations and used for its properties as a powerful base to break the disulfide bonds in hair. Unless the product you have is labeled as a cleanser or relaxer, it is likely only the first paragraph of this post applies.

Personally, I generally avoid it because my hair is naturally porous and I have enough trouble keeping my cuticle sealed. I’m a little less picky about its presence in rinse out products though, and am using up a co-wash that contains it.

[Ylva]

Hydroxides have various purposes in cosmetics. It’s likely there to balance the pH, but if it isn’t pH balanced it can act as a chemical exfoliant in skin care products or may have been added to help attract water molecules.

It’s also used in soaps and as the active ingredient in chemical hair relaxers. In soaps, it reacts with other ingredients and very little ends up in the finished product. In relaxers, it is present in much higher concentrations and used for its properties as a powerful base to break the disulfide bonds in hair. Unless the product you have is labeled as a cleanser or relaxer, it is likely only the first paragraph of this post applies.

Personally, I generally avoid it because my hair is naturally porous and I have enough trouble keeping my cuticle sealed. I’m a little less picky about its presence in rinse out products though, and am using up a co-wash that contains it.

Interesting! Thank you for the explanation.

[Blondie Locks]

I read recently, that many of the so-called 100% brand name aloe vera gels on the shelves today, don’t even have a smidgen of actual aloe vera gel in them! Or very little! 😮

Have anyone else heard about this? 🤔

Hawaiian Tropic is one of the offenders I read about...misleading customers into believing they are getting pure gel but there isn’t ANY in the bottle! What the heck?! There was random testing done and the tests proved these companies were cheating people. :blueeek:

[hollygolightly]

reviving this thread to say that I'm in love with aloe vera gel as a leave in conditioner. I used it on wet and dry hair and it's soooooo amazing, leaves my hair soft and shiny

[Pacific]

I only use AVG on my scalp as pre-wash, in combination with Melatonin and oil.

[shump76]

I buy pure aloe gel online and mix it with coconut oil and lavender essential oil to make a night cream for my face. I’ve not used it on my hair though.

[maborosi]

I use it on slightly damp hair (which is how my hair likes everything, it seems) before braiding or bunning to keep my hair smooth. It helps with softness, and gives AWESOME waves!

[Begemot]

Yesterday I was gifted with a aloe vera plant, so I get to use fresh aloe soon (I'm mostly thinking about my bf who gets sunburns easily...). I do have store bought aloe vera gel that I usually mix in with my conditioner and deep treatments. I also use it on my scalp and as the cream/gel when I do LCO and when I need to tame flyaways. So it's very versatile product for me.

[Mei_Lin]

I only use it for the Snowy Moon hydration treatment... Actually it was the first thing I saw from this forum

[Dacota23]

Hi, I use aloe vera for skin and hair, I also use coconut oil. I had problems with hair, they were spoiled due to poor quality hair tools. But later my hairdresser advised me good shampoos, oils, and curling irons https://greathaircurlers.com/best-curling-iron-long-hair/. Today I think I should buy an ACEVIVI electronic comb. Has anyone already used electronic combs?

[Priska]

I use it straight from the garden, cut the leaf open, scrape it off, apply to my scalp. It has helped me a great deal with itching, dandruff and hair fall. I rinse it off after a while or sometimes leave it on. I have also tried it with coconut milk and rosemary both ground fresh in my mixer.smells good and great for hair.

Oh how lovely this sounds. I'm exited of aloe vera again and just bought a bottle, also used it, but obviously next time I must apply this to my scalp too, if this decreases shedding! :)

[TatsuOni]

I make my own aloe vera gel from my plants. https://tatsu.blogg.se/2020/may/diy-make-your-own-aloe-vera-gel-2.html

I use it both in my hair, on my scalp and my skin.

[Hairy-Fairy]

My mom always uses it on her face after washing as a natural moisturizer. I love using fresh aloe vera from the leaf in homemade hair conditioners because of the slip and its also great on my scalp.

[RavennaNight]

I’ve rediscovered aloe Vera gel for use as gel, instead of conventional gel. Because I am stubborn and am wary of being influenced into all sorts of expensive curlyperson products. For my hair, so far, it is effective for creating that gel cast everyone talks about. And it’s a humectant, and I live in Florida, so it is working. Don’t know about when the dew points will go out of range, but I guess I’ll find out.

[SandyBottom]

I had made up a bunch of gel from my own plants and froze it in small batches-then forgot about it! I thawed some out and have been using it on my face, and today I used it quite liberally in my hair, on the scalp and the whole length.