How to Make Hair Gel Using Aloe Vera Pulp

Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: September 12, 2024 References

Aloe vera has many benefits for hair. Not only can it help add moisture to hair, but it can also help style it and define curls. You can scrape fresh aloe pulp straight out of the leaf, mash it up with a fork, and use the gel as-is, or include a few extra ingredients to add fragrance or moisturizing properties. Store the mixture in an air-tight container in the fridge. Read on for more details!

Using Aloe Vera Pulp to Make Gel

Slice each aloe leaf open and scrape the pulp into a bowl.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired.
Add almond, coconut, or olive oil for a conditioning gel, if desired.
Blend the mixture together until it thickens and is evenly mixed.
Store the gel in an air-tight container and keep it refrigerated.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making Basic Hair Gel

Download Article

1
Get an aloe vera leaf. While you can always use store-bought aloe vera, using an actual aloe vera leaf is so much better for your hair because it is all-natural and does not contain any extra ingredients. Try to get a large leaf, if you can; a small one won't give you much gel.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you plan on making the homemade gel often, it is more economical to buy an aloe vera plant rather than just a leaf. Your local garden store can help you select one.
Set the leaf onto a cutting board, then cut off the very bottom of the leaf with a sharp knife. Discard the part that you just cut off. You'll see the raw aloe vera gel inside the leaf.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
If you are using a small leaf, you may not need to do this. If you are using a larger leaf, however, you may want to cut off a 3 to 4-inch (7.62 to 10.16-centimer) segment for the bottom, then wrap and store the rest of the leaf for later.^{[3]
X
Research source}
Make sure that you are cutting the leaf apart from edge-to-edge, like cutting a roll for a sandwich. You'll end up with two, long, skinny halves of aloe vera leaf.^{[4]
X
Research source}
You can do this with a spoon, as long as it has a sharp edge. You can also do it with a knife if you are very careful; you want to only scrape the gel out, and not the skin or rind.^{[5]
X
Research source}
6
Consider enhancing the gel further. You can apply plain aloe vera gel to your hair. You can also make a fancier gel by adding extra ingredients to it. For example:
- Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Rosemary, lavender, or grapefruit work especially well.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Add 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) for every 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of aloe vera gel for a conditioning gel.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- For extra moisture and shine, add a few drops of your favorite oil.^{[8]
  X
  Research source} Almond, coconut, or olive oil work especially well.
It would be easiest to do this in a blender, electric mixer, or food processor. You can also use a fork or whisk, if you’re only making a few ounces of gel. Keep blending the gel until it is thick. If you added any extra ingredients to it, keel mixing until the color and texture are consistent.^{[9]
X
Research source}
Apply a coin-sized amount of the gel to damp hair. Comb it through to distribute it evenly, then style your hair as usual. Store the jar in the fridge when you are not using it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Making a Gel for Shine

Download Article

1
Soak the flax seeds overnight. Fill a saucepan with water, then add ¼ cup (42 grams) of flax seeds. Allow the flax seeds to sit in the water for at least 6 to 8 hours; overnight would be better.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- If you are in a hurry, you can skip this step. Soaking the seeds will simply give you more gel.
- Discard any excess water after the soaking process.
2
Cook the flax seeds in 2 cups (475 milliliters) of water. Add 2 cups (475 milliliters) of water to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce it to a simmer. Allow the flax seeds to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they just start to gel.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Stir the seeds often as they cook, otherwise they will get stuck to the pot.^{[12]
  X
  Research source}
As the flax seeds cook, they will turn to gel. Scoop up some of that gel with a spoon. If it falls off the spoon in a quick, steady stream, it's not ready and you should cook it longer. If the gel is thick and gloopy, it's ready.^{[13]
X
Research source}
Place a fine, mesh strainer over a bowl, then pour the mixture into the strainer. Leave the seeds in the strainer for about 5 to 10 minutes. Gently scrape across the bottom of the strainer to help push the gel through. Pull the strainer away and discard anything caught inside.^{[14]
X
Research source}
5
Stir in 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of aloe vera gel. This will help give the gel its holding power. If you want to give your gel extra moisture, consider adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of vegetable glycerin. For extra fragrance, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.^{[15]
X
Research source}
- It's best to use fresh aloe vera gel as opposed to store-bought.
Apply the gel to dry or damp hair with your fingers. You can use a larger amount to help add texture and shape to your hair as well. Store the jar in the fridge when you are not using it.^{[16]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making Gel for Extra-Hold

Download Article

Pour 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water into a saucepan. Stir in 1 packet of unflavored gelatin. Heat the two together over medium heat until the gelatin dissolves.^{[17]
X
Research source} This will take about 3 minutes.^{[18]
X
Research source}
Set the saucepan down onto a heat-safe surface. Stir in 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of lemon juice, preferably freshly-squeezed.^{[19]
X
Research source}
Place the gelatin into the fridge, and wait for it to gel up. This will take about 25 to 40 minutes.^{[20]
X
Research source} You don't have to move the gelatin into a separate bowl or container for this step, but you can if you want to.
4
Add in 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) of aloe vera. The aloe vera will not only help add moisture to your hair, but also help define it; it works especially well on curls. For a more conditioning gel, you can add in 1 to 2 teaspoons of coconut oil.^{[21]
X
Research source}
- It's best to use fresh aloe vera gel rather than the store-bought kind.
It would be best to do this in a blender using a low speed setting. You can also blend it by hand, but you will need to melt the coconut oil first, if you are using it.^{[22]
X
Research source}
The jar should be small enough to hold the gel without too much excess space left over. Store the jar in the fridge when you are not using the gel.

Common Questions: Making Aloe Vera Hair Gel

Do I need to refrigerate aloe vera gel?

Yes, its best to refrigerate or freeze 100% pure aloe vera gel. At room temperature, it will last about a week. In the fridge, it will last about 2 weeks. Adding preservatives like Vitamin C or Vitamin E can increase the shelf life to 2 months.^{[23]
X
Research source}

How do you know if aloe vera gel has gone bad?

You'll know aloe vera gel has gone bad when the texture gets lumpy, watery, or slimy. Expired aloe vera gel also usually looks cloudy or discolored, and has an unpleasant smell.^{[24]
X
Research source}

Does aloe vera cause hair thinning?

No, aloe vera doesn't cause hair thinning. In fact, aloe vera benefits hair health and may also stimulate growth. The main risk of using aloe vera topically is the potential to develop a skin rash, although being allergic to aloe is pretty rare.^{[25]
X
Research source}

Tips

Most aloe vera gels will only last 1 week in the fridge. If you plan on making gel often, invest in an aloe plant.^{[26]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1
You can preserve the gel for longer by pouring it into an ice cube tray and then freezing it.^{[27]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 2
Use older aloe vera leaves; they will have higher-quality pulp.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1