Reply With QuoteWhat is the sodium hydroxide actually there for?
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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.Originally Posted by 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
Length goal well and truly met, now just seeing how it grows ...
Picky scalp but easygoing hair, thank goodness
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
What is the sodium hydroxide actually there for?
Ósnjallr maðr hyggsk munu ey lifa, ef hann við víg varask;
en elli gefr hánum engi frið, þótt hánum geirar gefi.
Instagram | Last.fm | Folk band | Acoustic metal duo | My links
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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.
Classic stretched, bcl to tbl most days otherwise.Unruly mix of 3s.
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
Interesting! Thank you for the explanation.
Ósnjallr maðr hyggsk munu ey lifa, ef hann við víg varask;
en elli gefr hánum engi frið, þótt hánum geirar gefi.
Instagram | Last.fm | Folk band | Acoustic metal duo | My links
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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.
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
I only use AVG on my scalp as pre-wash, in combination with Melatonin and oil.
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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.
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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!
Re: How do you use aloe vera gel and what do you use it for?
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.
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