Aloe Vera Cream to Nourish Your Skin and Hair

In order to bind water and oil together, we need to use an emulsifier.

As I prefer to use natural ingredients my first choice was lanolin, effective emollient made from the skin glands of sheep. Lanolin is commonly used in various skin care products for more than a hundred years.

How to preserve homemade aloe vera cream to prolong its shelf life

While this nourishing and rich aloe vera cream is easy to apply and is less heavy than salve or body butter it is at the same time more sensitive to bacteria or contamination. There are certain adjustments you can make to prolong its shelf life.

1. use of vitamin E. This fat-soluble vitamin possesses antiinflammatory properties and helps to support skin health. It is also antioxidant that protects oil to go rancid.
2. making homemade creams in small batches is a pretty safe way so you use them well before they have time to expire.
3. I made this cream for my mom that works in the garden and wanted easy to spread cream, not too oily that can keep her hands smooth and heal them from any cut or abrasions quickly and effectively. She likes to use my products and appreciate the fact that they are natural and free of any artificial ingredients. So I always make sure to use clean utensils and sterilized jars
4. Use of aloe vera gel from the pharmacy that already contains some preservatives
5. refrigerating also help to keep this aloe cream safe to use

However, feel free to use preservatives like grapefruits seed extract to keep the cream safe from any bacteria or microbes.

Ingredients you need to make this healing DIY cream

The goal was to make a light formula that will not leave the skin too oily and will be easy to absorb. Fractionated coconut oil is an ideal carrier that is light and easily penetrates into the skin preventing the oils to sit on the skin surface.

Aloe vera

I keep aloe vera plant on my windowsill and use it on mild burns or sunburns. It is handy and highly effective. I just cut one leaf, press the gel and apply it directly on the burn or abrasion. Its healing properties are immediately visible after a few applications

Aloe namely boost collagen and help to fight bacteria which is very useful in wounds and scars treatment (1)

While easy absorption of aloe vera makes its gel an ideal ingredient for oily skin, aloe is also able to seal the moisture in the skin and serve therefore as a regular moisturizer for dry skin. I love to use it in toners too.

Aloe vera may also help to treat the inflammatory form of acne thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties (2) Or could be used to treat inflammation in the mouth like in this natural homemade mouthwash.

Sweet Orange essential oil

Is pressed from orange peels and possesses a fresh, uplifting orange aroma. It is also effective in dissolving grease and oil.

Coconut oil

This excellent dry skin moisturizer also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and may help to treat acne or heal wounds. Alternatively, use this aloe vera oil that will multiply the effect of aloe vera in this recipe

DIY Aloe vera cream recipe

First step:

start with the aloe vera plant. Cut the outer leave from the plant, wash it thoroughly to remove the yellow latex. We are going to use just pure transparent gel for our recipe.

Second step:

Use a sharp knife to remove the spine edges on both sides first. Cutting the top and bottom green layers off will leave you with pure transparent gel in the middle.

Or skip the first two steps and use the store-bought aloe vera gel instead.

Third step:

Use a blender to blend the gel until it is homogenous, add vitamin E and essential oil and set aside.

Fourth step:

In the double boiler gently melt beeswax, coconut oil and lanolin. Let it cool to the room temperature

Fifth step:

Let the mixture cool until solidified. Place in the fridge to speed this up.

Once the mixture is solidified use a hand blender to turn it into a creamy mixture.

Sixth step:

Use the hand blender in one hand and slowly add aloe vera mixture into a bowl. Blend it thoroughly and slowly

Seventh step:

Stop hand mixer in between and use a spatula to remove cream around sides. Be patient as this step of stoping, mixing and using spatula takes around 10-15 minutes till the mixture is smooth and desired consistency is reached.

Eighth step:

Transfer the cream into a sterilized container with a lid and refrigerate.

Uses of aloe vera cream for skin

1. If you suffer from dry skin consider swapping your regular moisturizer for this aloe cream as it helps to seal moisture in especially after a bath.
2. This aloe cream is very effective in healing small burns or sunburns as it helps soothe the skin if applied three times a day on affected areas.
3. Its healing properties are significant so if you are cut or bruised just gently apply this cream to affected areas.
4. If you are eczema sufferer you might appreciate its moisturizing effect on dry and itchy skin associated with eczema.
5. Its anti-inflammatory properties might help with itchiness and information when you suffer from psoriasis (3)
6. This nourishing aloe vera cream can moisturize not only your hands but your cuticles that after application will be easier to push back.

Uses of aloe vera cream for hair

1. Aloe vera together with coconut oil makes a wonderful hair moisturizer that revitalizes your hair and promotes shiny hair and healthy cell growth. Use just small quantity (1 teaspoon) and gently massage into hair from the midsection towards the ends. The best is to use it once a week
2. Aloe Vera contains vitamin B12 and folic acid that prevent your hair from falling out. (4)
3. due to its ability to increase blood circulation, aloe vera promotes hair growth (5)
4. Itchy scalp and flaking skin called dandruff very well response to aloe vera. This study (6) found that aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory properties that help to ease scalp inflammation. Start with a very small amount of aloe cream and gently massage it directly to your scalp.
5. This aloe cream can be also used as a hair mask for its super nourishing effect. Leave it for 1 hour and wash it with shampoo. If you suffer from exceptionally dry or damaged hair leave it overnight. It will nourish and soften your hair.

Enriched with vitamin E, coconut oil and aloe vera gel this homemade cream can easily penetrate into your dry and sensitive skin leaving it smooth and deeply moisturized.

Active Time

30 minutes

Additional Time

10 minutes

Total Time

40 minutes

Difficulty

Medium

MATERIALS

• ¼ cup (34 g) beeswax
• ¼ cup (34 g) coconut oil fractionated
• ½ cup (68 g) aloe vera gel
• 15 drops of sweet orange essential oil or any other essential oil of your choice
• 1 tea spoon vitamin E
• 1 table spoon lanolin

TOOLS

• Frosted glass cream jar 100 ml

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut one leaf of aloe vera plant,
2. Use a sharp knife to remove the top and bottom green layers off to get the pure transparent gel in the middle. 
3. Use a blender to blend the gel until it is homogenous, add vitamin E and essential oil and set aside.
4. n the double boiler gently melt beeswax, coconut oil and lanolin. Let it cool to the room temperature
5. Let the mixture cool until solidified. Place in the fridge to speed this up.
6. Once the mixture is solidified use a hand blender to turn it into a creamy mixture.
7. Use the hand blender in one hand and slowly add aloe vera mixture into a bowl. Blend it thoroughly and slowly
8. Stop hand mixer in between and use a spatula to remove cream around sides. Be patient as this step of stoping, mixing and using spatula takes around 10-15 minutes till the mixture is smooth and desired consistency is reached. 
9. Transfer the cream into a sterilized container with a lid and refrigerate.

NOTES

You can replace the aloe vera plant gel and use the store-bought aloe vera gel instead.