Are you keen to know how long aloe vera lasts? Aloe vera is amongst one of nature’s great healers. It has various health-benefiting properties, and you can use it as a part of different home remedies. From treating sunburns to moisturizing skin, aloe vera can be of great help.
But you’re probably wondering: “How long does aloe vera last?”. It generally lasts for around 1 to 2 years if stored in the refrigerator. The store-bought gel will usually have an expiration date printed on the packaging. Its gel-like form works the best as you can apply it to the skin and consume it in the form of juice.
The article will cover the time it lasts and tips for making the gel last longer.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Last?
There are many considerations we need to consider to determine the lifespan of aloe vera. The expiration date of the aloe vera varies depending on the form it is stored in. This includes gel, leaf, or juice form. Below are all the considerations that can help you understand how long aloe vera lasts.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Last?
If you have collected the gel from the leaves by yourself, you should add preservatives like vitamin E or C to increase the shelf life of your gel. Adding these preservatives and freezing it can extend its life to about two months.
If you have bought the gel from a store, you can expect it to last anywhere from about 2 to 3 years. If refrigerated properly, it can even last for over five years.
How Long Does an Aloe Vera Leaf Last?
The lifespan of an aloe vera leaf depends entirely on the storage technique. While refrigerating can make the leaves last longer for multiple weeks, freezing it can even last the leaves for over six months.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Juice Last?
If unopened, the aloe vera juice can last as long as the aloe vera gel, which is 2 to 3 years. However, if the juice is opened, it lasts only a couple of weeks and thus should be refrigerated after opening.
How to Make Long-Lasting Aloe Vera Gel?
Making a long-lasting aloe vera gel involves three main steps.
STEP 1 – Preparation of Aloe Leaves
- Cut off a leaf from the bottom of the plant.
- Wash it thoroughly to remove any dirt from it.
- Stand the leaf upright in a bowl or cup for a few minutes until the yellow resin drains out of the plant.
- Rewash the leaf to remove any remaining latex.
- Peel off the skin of the leaf using a knife or a peeler.
STEP 2 – Making the Gel
- Use the knife to peel the hard skin until you see the gel inside it.
- Take a spoon and scoop out the gel off your leaves.
- Carefully add the gel into a blender with no aloe vera skin.
- Blend the gel for a few seconds until it gets frothy.
- Take the gel out of the blender, and it is ready for use.
If you want to use the gel for a couple of weeks, it is essential to add preservatives.
STEP 3 – Add Preservative to Increase Its Lifespan
For every 30 ml of aloe gel, add 250gm of powdered vitamin C or 200 IU of powdered vitamin E. You can add the preservative directly to the blender and blend it again to incorporate the additives in it.
This step increases the shelf life of your aloe gel from 2 days to over one week. Due to both the additives’ anti-aging and antioxidant properties, you can use the gel on your skin for maximum benefits.
Tips for Keeping Your Aloe Vera Gel Fresh for Longer
Here are a few storage tips to help you use this staple green healer for a more extended period.
- Use an airtight container for storing since oxygen for aloe gel is as bad as humidity and temperature.
- Keep it cool by storing the gel in the refrigerator as humidity and temperature can quickly start its decomposing process.
- Avoid clear containers for storing as they can absorb UV rays easily and affect the valuable compounds. It is best if you use a jar or an amber bottle. Wash it clean with warm and soapy water and dry it thoroughly before use.
- For the gel to last longer than a week, we recommend freezing it into ice cubes. These cubes can last for a year and work best on sunburns. This method significantly increases its lifespan.
Takeaway
In this article, we discussed how long aloe vera lasts. This depends on different considerations of aloe vera. Its leaf can last for multiple weeks, while the aloe vera gel and the juice can last around two years if stored under refrigeration.
You can also make your aloe vera gel by preparing the leaves, scooping out the natural aloe gel, blending it, and adding preservatives, if desired. Additionally, you can store the gel in the form of ice cubes to increase its life significantly.
Be sure to keep an eye out for any indications of spoilage. If anything smells or looks unpleasant, toss it out in your dustbin.