Photography by Dalilah Arja.
Photography by Dalilah Arja.
I grew up under the Southern California sun in Orange County, 20 minutes from Huntington Beach, and I spent almost every day of summer ankle-deep in sand. If you follow the simple steps below, you can easily make your own and ditch the store-bought gel.
I grew up under the Southern California sun in Orange County, 20 minutes from Huntington Beach, and I spent almost every day of summer ankle-deep in sand. If you follow the simple steps below, you can easily make your own and ditch the store-bought gel.
Instructions:
Instructions:
Step 1: Wash off any dirt that’s on the aloe leaves and dry them.
Step 1: Wash off any dirt that’s on the aloe leaves and dry them.
Step 2: If you wish, you can cut off the thorns with a knife. The smell can be unpleasant (it reminds me of canned chicken noodle soup), but the result is worth it.
Step 2: If you wish, you can cut off the thorns with a knife. The smell can be unpleasant (it reminds me of canned chicken noodle soup), but the result is worth it.
Step 3: Use a spoon to scoop the gel from the leaves into a container.
Step 3: Use a spoon to scoop the gel from the leaves into a container.
Fresh aloe vera gel is ready to be mixed with coconut oil (or used alone, if you prefer).
Fresh aloe vera gel is ready to be mixed with coconut oil (or used alone, if you prefer).
Step 4: Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil, if wanted, for aromatherapy (and to mask the smell of the aloe vera). I use grapefruit essential oil–a 5-ml bottle of Grapefruit Essential Oil is $4.95 from Eden’s Garden.
Step 4: Add 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and a few drops of essential oil, if wanted, for aromatherapy (and to mask the smell of the aloe vera). I use grapefruit essential oil–a 5-ml bottle of Grapefruit Essential Oil is $4.95 from Eden’s Garden.
Step 5: Store the aloe vera gel in a container and refrigerate. Coconut oil hardens when refrigerated, so you may need to mix the gel before applying.
Step 5: Store the aloe vera gel in a container and refrigerate. Coconut oil hardens when refrigerated, so you may need to mix the gel before applying.
