There is deep science behind the use of aloe essential oil in ancient Ayurveda. Its mild, refreshing aroma holds immense appreciation among aromatherapists and medicians across the globe. Nowadays, you can easily spot aloe vera oil's extensive use in the manufacturing of nourishing soaps, scented candles, bath oils, hair serums and multiple other personal care products.
This rising demand has raised several questions about the purity and potency of aloe vera oil available in the market. The best way to avoid this unnecessary stress is by making your own aloe vera oil at home. But it’s must be a tedious task, right? No, not anymore! Today, we will learn some great facts about aloe vera oil, its nutrient profile and a quick recipe that dictates how to make pure aloe essential oil at home.
Understanding Aloe Vera Oil - What's The Hype?
Laden with the miraculous healing energies of Aloe barbadensis Mill plant, pure aloe vera oil is a prominent skin and hair emollient. It is widely used for reducing knee pain, redness and swelling due to its natural anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This colourless, cooling liquid is enriched with the potency of Vitamin A, antioxidants and Salicylic acid, which makes it an essential additive in various beauty and skincare recipes.
Moreover, its crisp, refreshing aroma also complements the bottles of many exotic perfumes and luxury talcum powders. You can also use aloe vera oil by combining it with your regular moisturiser or incorporating it into your night care routine. But before that, let’s look at how to make aloe vera oil from plant.
How To Make Aloe Essential Oil?
Making aloe vera essential oil at home is no tough job. All you need is a combination of a few basic ingredients and effort to get the true potency of aloe vera in your hands. If you are a beginner or seasoned expert, this 5-step recipe is all you need to craft your own aloe vera oil.
What You Need
- Fresh Aloe vera stems (5 to 6)
- Extra virgin coconut oil (500ml)
- Glass jar and bowl
- A strainer or a clean muslin cloth
Instructions
- Wash aloe vera stems throughout to get rid of bacteria and dirt.
- Now cut them into small pieces of cubic size.
- Place the small cubes of aloe vera in the glass jar and mix 500 ml of extra virgin oil.
- Close the lid tightly and place the jar in sunlight for a week or ten days. You will notice the colour of coconut oil turning golden brown.
- After a week-long rest, pour the mix of aloe vera stems and coconut oil into a bowl and boil it using a double-boiler method. This will help in the transmission of all the aloe vera content into the oil.
- Now strain the oil using muslin or cotton in a glass bowl. Finally, your DIY aloe vera oil is ready to use!
Choosing The Best Carrier Oil To Make Aloe Vera Oil
The mild and gentle aroma of aloe vera requires a very similar companion to maintain its true nature. Although you must have multiple options to go along but here are the top 3 picks.
Coconut + Aloe Vera
The nourishing goodness of extra virgin coconut oil makes it an ideal partner to pair with the cooling properties of aloe vera. Monounsaturated fats work best for all skin types, especially for the extra sensitive ones.
Jojoba + Aloe Vera
The lightweight formula of jojoba oil is perfectly suitable due to it's intense moisturising formula that locks deep hydration for long durations. This helps in maintaining the natural oil balance, preventing dryness and breakouts.
Sunflower + Aloe Vera
Combining the cooling properties of aloe vera with sunflower oil is the most satisfying thing. The richness of Vitamin E in sunflower oil gently complements the antioxidants of aloe vera, making it one holy fusion. It is best to be used by individuals who are stressed with hair concerns like brittle ends, hair fall, weak roots and sluggishness.
Mistakes To Avoid While Making Aloe Vera Oil?
- Use fresh aloe vera stems only.
- Avoid high-heat treatments, as this can hamper the volatile compounds of aloe vera.
- Remove latex, the yellow sticky substance that you find in both the coroners of aloe vera stems, as it can cause allergic reactions and irritation.
- Do not use poor-grade carrier oil. The best option to adopt is extra virgin coconut oil, as it has a neutral aroma and complements all skin types.
Storing Your Homemade Aloe Vera Oil
One can easily store homemade aloe vera oil for almost 6-8 months. However, it is necessary to be mindful of its storage as oils can get easily rancid when exposed to heat and oxygen. Always use a glass bottle ot jar instead of metal ones as any metal can easily react with the biotics of aloe vera oil. Also, make sure to keep your aloe vera oil hidden from direct sun exposure because it can hamper the volatile compounds of your oil, making it less effective.
Aloe Vera Oil vs Aloe Vera Gel - Are There Any Differences?
There is prevalent confusion between aloe vera gel and aloe vera oil. Agree that they have some common properties, but this doesn't count as the same in terms of their uses and benefits. Aloe vera gel is a translucent jelly-like substance that is infused with 99% water. Comparatively, pure aloe vera oil is a liquid obtained by infusing aloe vera with any vegetable or carrier oil.
Both contain almost the same botanical mass, but each has diverse uses. Aloe vera gel is best for acne-prone and sensitive skin types due to it’s cooling and hydrating properties, while aloe vera oil is a nourishing dose of nature for dry and irritated skin with its intense moisturising effects. Aloe vera Oil is widely used for crafting soaps, shower gels and haircare products. On the other hand, the gel is used as the core ingredient in many natural skin care recipes.
What Can You Do With Your Homemade Aloe Vera Oil?
You can use your pure aloe vera oil for
- Head massage
- Soap making
- Making skincare products
- Diluting essential oils
- Making natural perfumes and so much more....
Concluding Thoughts
Measuring the potency of aloe vera oil is very similar to finding a needle in a haystack. From skincare to medications, this active ingredient serves its versatile magic everywhere. Aloe vera oil is very safe for sensitive skin. It is not irritating and very light on the skin, which makes it very suitable for regular application. You can also buy pure aloe vera oil from a bulk online supplier of essential oils like Aromachology. They are the best source of aloe vera oil with high-standard quality certification and affordable prices.