Aloe vera gel has been around for a long time because of its many health benefits. You can use aloe vera as a gel, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, body moisturizer, and so on. Wondering if you can also use aloe vera in soap making? Yes, you can.
Using aloe vera as part of your soap ingredient has several benefits for the skin. Aloe vera contains anti-inflammatory antibacterial, antioxidant, and antifungal properties that can improve the health of your skin.
Additionally, it contains vitamins and nutrients that can help to revitalize the skin along with moisturizing properties. Read ahead to find out if aloe vera soap is good for your skin and how to make aloe soap at home.
SEE: Medical Uses of Aloe Vera- The Health Benefits of Aloe Vera You Never Knew Existed
What Are the Benefits of Using Aloe Vera in Soap Making?
Using aloe vera soap is one of the best treatments you can give your skin. The aloe plant itself is known for its ability to treat several skin ailments ranging from skin dryness to itchiness.
Using the soap will help to revitalize your skin, making it look younger and plump. Below are some of the wonderful benefits of using it.
1. May Prevent Alopecia
Aloe vera may help to prevent the development of alopecia in men. Alopecia is a clinical term for balding that occurs in men as they age, which most men worry about.
You can use aloe vera soap on your hair for this purpose. Likewise, you can use an aloe vera shampoo to curb signs of alopecia.
SEE: Benefits of Aloe Vera to the Hair- Amazing Advantages That Will Excite You
2. Soothes Burns
For centuries now, the aloe plant has been a natural means of treating sunburn as it has a cooling effect on the skin. The cooling effect helps to soothe symptoms of sore skin and burns up to a second-degree burn.
A study reveals that using aloe vera topically on your skin, as in soap, can help to relieve burns and damages caused by the sun.
3. Moisturizes the Skin
Aloe vera contains moisturizing properties no matter the form it comes in. It works as an emollient to help relieve dry, flaky skin while also working on skin conditions like psoriasis.
The mucopolysaccharide content in aloe vera makes it impossible for moisture to escape the body. It locks moisture on the skin so that your skin will not go dry at any point.
4. Relieves Inflammation
The hydrating plant contains anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit joint inflammations and muscle aches. It can also help to relieve osteoarthritis when applied and massaged into the limbs.
The main anti-inflammatory agent in aloe gel is C-glucosyl chromone, which helps to relieve aches. Using aloe soap to bathe will help to sort inflammatory skin conditions.
5. Soothe Irritation
Using aloe vera soap will help to relieve skin rashes, itching, burning sensations, and more the skin.
According to a review of more than 40 studies on the effects and benefits of aloe gel, researchers found that aloe vera works for soothing dermatitis, psoriasis, frostbites, and other skin irritation.
6. Repels Acne-Causing Bacteria
The soap will also serve as a natural antimicrobial agent to kill bacteria and Infections associated with acne. This will help to reduce the appearance of acne. Additionally, the soap will help to reduce the appearance of acne scars as aloe contains lightening properties.
7. Removes Dead Skin Cells
The enzymes in aloe vera can help to remove dead skin cells from the skin. This will help to keep the skin bright and fresh, as dead skin cells make the surface of the skin rough.
Leaving dead skin cells on the skin can also contribute to acne formation on your skin. You can also use aloe vera soap to unclog your hair follicles and prevent dandruff.
8. It Helps In Wound Healing
Researchers a study found that aloe vera can help to fasten the healing process of wounds. If you are suffering from wounds, you can use aloe vera soap to accelerate wound healing.
Can You Make Aloe Vera Soap at Home?
You can make aloe vera soap at home, as several DIY aloe vera soap recipes allow you to achieve this.
There are several ways to incorporate aloe vera into your soap-making process. You can use the gel in place of water if you are using a cold process soap recipe. You can also make aloe soap by using aloe leaf powder instead of Iye in the soap-making process.
How to Extract Fresh Aloe for Soap Making
To use fresh aloe for your soap, you will need to extract the gel from the plant.
How to do it:
- Use a sharp knife to cut an aloe leaf from the plant
- Cut the leaf into different sections
- Separate the gel from the skin of the leaf with the same knife
- Use a spoon or your fingers to press the gel out of the leaf
- Pour the gel into a blender to grind and make the gel smooth
- Store the result in a refrigerator
DIY Aloe vera soap recipes
Recipe 1 – Aloe vera facial soap
This process requires you to substitute water with aloe vera.
What you need:
- 271g distilled water
- 55g sodium hydroxide
- 57g fresh aloe gel
- 170g olive oil
- 85g coconut oil
- 57g sunflower oil
- 57g shea
- 28g castor oil
- ½ teaspoon of colorant(optional)
- 10 drops of rosemary oil (optional)
Note: Do not use coconut oil if you are allergic to it and if your skin is extra sensitive. Use babassu oil instead and you can also skin lye.
Equipment:
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Old blanket or towel
- Measuring cups
- Molds
- Blender
How to do it:
- Wear your gloves and goggles
- Use a stainless steel container to weigh the water
- Also, weigh the lye in a small cup
- Pour the lye into the water and stir it very well
- Melt the coconut oil and add it to the remaining oils
- Pour in the rosemary extract
- Use a blender to mix the fresh aloe vera into the oils
- Pour the lye solution into the aloe mixture
- Use your hand to stir until it creates a smooth consistency
- Pour the soap into molds
- Cover the soap lightly with wax paper
- Use a towel or blanket to insulate it
- Leave the soap in the mold for about two days until you can remove it
- Remove the soap from the mold and keep it in the open air for 4 weeks before using it
Recipe 2 – Aloe vera natural soap
This aloe vera natural soap recipe requires the use of some equipment.
What you need:
- 14.9g olive oil
- 13.4g olive oil
- 10.5g cocoa butter
- 2.5g shea butter
- 9.6g aloe pulp/aloe gel
- 6.7g lye
- 9.9g distilled water
Equipment:
- Safety goggles
- Rubber gloves
- Molds
- A large stainless steel pot
- Weighing scales
- Blender
- Measuring cup
- Wax paper
- An old blanket or large rag
How to do it:
- Put on your safety goggles and gloves before you begin
- Set aside the wax paper and line your soap mold
- You can extract aloe gel from aloe leave and blend the gel to create a smooth consistency
- Measure the distilled water in a measuring cup
- Measure the Iye as well
- Pour both the Iye and distilled water inside the pot and heat it up
- Weigh the oils and butter and heat them in another pot
- Allow the mixture to cool down before pouring the Iye mixture into it
- You can now add the aloe gel into the mix and use your stick blender to stir until you reach a trace
- Once you reach between medium to heavy trace, you can pour it out into the soap molds
- Cover the mold with wax paper and a blanket for at least 24 hours
- Remove the coverings and allow the soap to be in the open air for more hours
- Remove the soap from the mold and wait for at least two weeks before using it
Precautions to Take While Making the Aloe Soap
There are safety precautions you can take as you make your aloe vera soap to prevent harming your skin.
Always wear your safety goggles
It is important to keep your eyes safe as you deal with the liquids and chemicals required in making the soap. Raw soap and Iye are strong, caustic ingredients that can harm the eyes if they come in contact with it.
Keep your skin safe
The lye solution used in making the aloe vera soap shouldn’t get in contact with your skin. Your skin can’t tolerate the chemical and it can burn your skin. It is best to wear long-sleeved clothes and gloves to protect the skin from unwanted irritation.
Prepare the soap in a well-ventilated area
Ensure that as you make the soap, you keep the windows open and use an exhaust fan to get the fumes from the soap to clear out immediately. The fumes of the Iye solution need to clear out immediately to avoid being suffocated.
Be prepared to handle spills
You need to avoid spills as you will be using oils, chemicals, and solutions. However, you can keep an absorbent around as it will come in handy in case any spill occurs.
Is Aloe Vera Soap Good for Oily Skin?
Aloe vera soap is good for oily skin as it helps to clear the pores and strengthen the outer layer of the dermis.
Oily skin types are prone to acne because of their large pores. Aloe soap can help to shrink the pores while also removing the dirt clogging the pores. It contains antiseptic properties that can help to dry oil and regulate oil production in the skin.
Is Aloe Vera Soap Good for Eczema?
Using a natural aloe soap is good for eczema as it will help to reduce the symptoms of eczema on the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera will soothe the irritation that happens to the skin because of eczema.
Aloe vra will help to hydrate the skin to reduce the effects of eczema on the skin such as itchiness, dry skin flakes, redness, and so on.
SEE: Aloe Vera for Eczema- Find Out if It Can Help Your Skin
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aloe vera soap good for aging skin?
Yes, it is. Naturally, aloe vera contains antioxidant properties which are good for aging skin. Using aloe vera soap will help to diminish the appearance of aging signs on the skin to give you a youthful appearance.
Also, you can incorporate the use of ingredients that work as antioxidants when making your aloe vera soap. This will help to improve the overall appearance of your skin by banishing toxins.
Can aloe vera soap help dark spots?
Yes, it can. Regular use of aloe soap can help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your skin.
However, it is important to note that aloe vera cannot completely get rid of severe dark spots and hyperpigmentation cases.
Bottom Line
Aloe vera stands out amongst other natural ingredients for its ability to repair the skin. Using aloe vera in soap making is one way to incorporate the use of aloe into your skincare routine to revitalize the skin.
When you use a soap that contains aloe vera in your skincare routine, you will begin to notice your skin become brighter and plump. This is because aloe vera contains properties that work effectively to remove toxins from the skin.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Africana Fashion to read more enlightening aloe vera uses for skin.
