Aloe vera gel is a pillar in natural beauty. It's deeply hydrating, extremely soothing and works wonders on sunburned, irritated or freshly depilated skin. Also, it’s a gentle ally for acne-prone skin and supports collagen production, making it a interesting ingredient in both soothing and anti-aging skincare.

But did you know you can easily make it at home with dried aloe vera powder? This budget-saving recipe is a must-have for any DIY beauty lover!

Aloe vera gel was actually one of the very first things I ever made when I began my DIY cosmetics journey, many years ago… and I still make it regularly! It’s one of those timeless, irreplaceable ingredients that always earns its place in your wonder lab!

You can use it as it is or as a base for light gel cosmetics, think acne treatments, soothing gels or hydrating scalp products thanks to its versatility and effectiveness. It’s even perfect for oily hair that doesn’t love oils!

Before explaining you how to make it step by step (I made a video too), let’s talk about its wonderful properties. I’ll also share a second, ultra-simple recipe to create a liquid version that works beautifully in sprayable formulations or when you want to skip thickening agents. And if you’re wondering how to use aloe vera powder directly in your formulations, I’ll walk you through that too!

Keep reading to discover all you need to know about aloe vera in DIY Skincare... and watch the video!

Why Aloe Vera is a Skincare Treasure

• Soothing: Aloe vera is renowned for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s like a soft whisper on sunburned or irritated skin due to the sun, shaving, waxing or reactive flare-ups. Store it in the fridge for an even more comforting and cooling effect.
  
  
• Collagen Support & Skin Repair: Aloe encourages fibroblasts to boost collagen production. This helps improve skin texture, elasticity and skin repair.
  
  
• Hydration Boost: Rich in mucilaginous polysaccharides, aloe deeply hydrates the skin, helping lock in moisture and keeping your complexion plump and juicy.
  
  
• Acne & Blemish Aid: Lightweight, non-comedogenic and with soothing compounds, aloe is perfect for acne-prone skin. It calms inflammation, supports healing after breakouts and feels wonderfully fresh. The best base for acne prone skin face gels. 
   

DIY Aloe Vera Gel Recipe 

You’ll need:

• 96.4 g distilled water
• 2 g glycerin
• 0.5 g aloe vera powder 200:1
• 0.5 g xanthan gum
• 0.6 g Cosgard (or another broad-spectrum preservative)

How to make it:

1. In a glass beaker, stir the glycerin with aloe vera powder and xanthan gum until you get a smooth paste.
   
   
2. Slowly pour in the distilled water while mixing gently with a spoon or stirring rod. If you use a small DIY cosmetic blender, you’ll speed up gel formation. Keep this little trick in mind if you don’t want to wait!
   
   
3. Add your broad spectrum preservative (like Cosgard) and mix well. This is very important, as aloe vera gel is prone to microbial contamination due to its high nutrient content. 
   
   
4. Measure the pH and adjust to 4.5–5.5.
   
   
5. Transfer to a clean container and let it rest. If bubbles or clumps appear, don’t worry! They’ll vanish after 24 hours, leaving a crystal-clear, silky gel.

Shelf life: Use within 1–2 months. Store in the fridge to extend freshness.

Quick & Liquid Aloe Vera Spray Recipe

This other version is light, simple and perfect for toners, body mists or formulations where you’d rather avoid xanthan gum or glycerin.

You’ll need:

• 98.9 g distilled water
• 0.5 g aloe vera powder 200:1
• 0.6 g Cosgard (or another broad-spectrum preservative)

How to make it:

1. Just mix everything together and pour into a spray bottle.
2. Adjust pH to 4.5–5.5.
3. Use within 1–2 months. Best if stored in the fridge.

This aloe liquid is amazing for facial or body sprays, lightweight toners or for adding to other DIY formulas where minimal thickening is desired.


 

How to Use & Customize Your Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera gel is incredibly versatile and can transform into whatever your skin (or hair!) needs most. Here are some ways to personalize and incorporate it:

1. Customize It With Actives:

• Add hyaluronic acid for a hydrating boost.
• Add Salix Nigra extract for acne-prone skin.
• Add panthenol and allantoin for a soothing rescue gel.

2. Use as a Base in DIY Cosmetics: You can include at least a 5–10% of your aloe gel or liquid in emulsions, serums, toners, masks, etc. The liquid version is especially great when you want to avoid adding thickness or excess glycerin. Always add it during the cool-down phase to protect its delicate properties. Just mind that it makes the cosmetic a bit more prone to microbial contamination, so use it in 1-2 months and always add a broad spectrum preservative, like Cosgard. It’s not suitable for mild preservatives. Also, adding a chelating agent improves stability and preservation. 
Find my enriched aloe vera gel recipe here!

3. Hair & Scalp Care: Apply as a soothing scalp treatment, It’s especially effective for dandruff, itchiness and greasy roots. Add ingredients like witch hazel hydrosol, salicylic acid or zinc PCA for a greasy scalp serum. It also doubles as a hair gel (many people use it to define curls) or lightweight leave-in for oily hair types that can’t tolerate oils. For leave-in hair products, use at 3–5%.

4. Enhance Shower Gels & Shampoos: Add to your rinse-off products for a gentle, soothing touch. Aloe vera powder is one of the ingredients of my solid shampoo for greasy and sensitive scalp. 

How to Use Aloe Vera Powder Directly

You can also integrate the powder straight into your formulas!

Use at 0.1–0.5% in the water phase, but avoid heating it.

• For watery recipes like toners, aim for 0.1–0.2% if you’re using multiple actives to avoid stickiness.
• If your emulsion requires heating, don’t use the powder. Instead, add 5% of your pre-made gel or liquid during the cool-down phase.

Storage Tip: Aloe vera powder should always be kept in a tightly closed container, well protected from humidity. If exposed to moisture in the air, this powder can absorb water and clump into a solid block over time. A sealed, dry environment helps maintain its texture and efficacy.

Optional Twists & Additions

• Swap water with hydrosols: Rose, geranium, or neroli bring scent and skin-loving properties.
• For acne-prone skin: Try replacing 30% of the water with witch hazel (hamamelis) hydrosol.
• For sensitive skin: Chamomile hydrosol is wonderfully calming. Replace water with it.
  
  

I hope it inspired you! Follow me on Instagram for more and feel free to contact me there for any question you might have about Aloe Vera gel and DIY Cosmetics!