How to Safely Extract Aloe Vera Gel at Home

If you have an Aloe Vera plant at home, you can follow the steps described below to safely obtain the precious Aloe Vera Gel. Make sure that the Aloin, the yellow/brownish sap that is in the outer green leaf is drained off. Although Aloin is not considered dangerous in small quantities and is even used as a laxative in some herbal remedies, we strongly recommend to drain off the sap (Aloin) before extracting the precious gel.

• Choose only juicy leaves. The thicker and 'spongier' a leaf feels when you press it slightly, the more gel it contains. Please note that the gel stains, so avoid contact with clothing or natural surfaces! 

• Cut the leaf at an angle from close to the plant's base

• If you don't want to use the entire leaf, cut off a piece that you want to use (usually about 1-2 inches for a facemask) from the cut-end of the plant and

• cut of the thorny spines either side

• place the Aloe Vera in a bowl of water to drain off the Aloin, which is the yellow, brownish sap that is in the outer green leaf.  (Keep it submerged for about 5-10 minutes) 

• Store the rest in an airtight container to prevent the rest of the leaf from drying out

• Wash the piece of Aloe Vera to remove the rest of the Aloin and then 

• lay it flat on a cutting board and cut the the Aloe Vera length-wise with a blunt knife so you have 2 pieces  

• remove the outer skin by sliding along the inside of the outer skin to remove the gel

• or carefully scoop the gel out with a spoon. 

You have now harvested your own Aloe Vera Gel. The Gel can be applied neat, or, you can make your own face scrubs or face masks.