Can you use aloe vera juice in place of aloe vera gel?

Aloe vera is well-known for its many health and beauty benefits. The clear gel inside aloe leaves can be applied directly to the skin to soothe sunburn, heal wounds, and moisturize. Aloe vera juice is made by crushing or grinding whole aloe leaves, filtering out the pulp, and sometimes adding other ingredients like citric acid or vitamin C. Both aloe gel and juice contain active compounds like polysaccharides and antioxidants that make aloe so useful. But can you use the more convenient juice form in place of actual aloe gel?

What is Aloe Vera Gel?

Aloe vera gel is the transparent mucilage or gel obtained directly from the parenchymal cells in the inner portion of aloe leaves. It contains over 200 active compounds including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharide, and antioxidants like vitamin A, C, and E.

The main active ingredient is acemannan, a complex carbohydrate that has immunostimulant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe gel also contains auxins and gibberellins, compounds with healing and anti-inflammatory properties.

When applied topically, aloe vera gel provides a protective layer and delivers its active ingredients deep into the skin. It stimulates skin regeneration, increases blood circulation, moisturizes skin, and promotes collagen production. Due to its nutritional profile and healing powers, aloe vera gel is widely used to treat sunburn, minor cuts, insect bites, dry skin, and many other skin conditions.

What is Aloe Vera Juice?

Aloe vera juice is derived by crushing or grinding the entire aloe leaf, followed by purification via filtering or charcoal activation to remove aloin and other chemicals responsible for the laxative effects of aloe. The resulting liquid contains latex, which lends a bitter taste. Aloe vera juice may be diluted with water or combined with citrus juice or tea to make it more palatable.

Like aloe gel, aloe juice contains acemannan and other bioactive compounds that provide antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content. The main benefits of drinking aloe vera juice include building immunity, detoxifying, aiding digestion, and boosting skin health.

Nutritional Profile

Both aloe gel and juice contain antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The exact nutritional profile varies based on the specific plant, processing method, and additions like vitamin C or citric acid, but the major components are outlined below:

Nutrient	Aloe Vera Gel	Aloe Vera Juice
Water	99%	95-98%
Vitamin A	Beta carotene	Beta carotene
Vitamin C	Trace	Added in some juices
Folic acid	Trace	Trace
Choline	Trace	Trace
Amino acids	7 out of 8 essential amino acids	7 out of 8 essential amino acids
Enzymes	Bradykinase, catalase, cellulase, amylase, lipase	Bradykinase, catalase, cellulase, amylase, lipase
Minerals	Calcium, sodium, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc	Calcium, sodium, potassium, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc
Sugars	None	Natural sugars from aloe pulp
Calories	Very low	Around 20-40 per serving

Comparison of Aloe Gel and Juice for Topical Use

When it comes to using aloe vera directly on your skin, aloe gel has some clear advantages over the juice:

• The gel form is thicker, so it stays exactly where you apply it.
• Aloe gel is transparent and dries cleanly without any stickiness.
• It contains the active compounds already in their usable, stabilized form.
• The gel is naturally free of aloin, so it can be safely applied to skin.
• Aloe gel is naturally hydrating, while juice may feel drying due to its acetic acid content.
• Gel is easier to apply in a targeted way to affected areas of skin.

Aloe juice is not ideal as a topical product because:

• It has a thin, watery consistency that drips and runs.
• The liquid may stain clothing or bedding.
• It may contain aloin and other latex compounds that irritate skin.
• The lower molecular weight of nutrients makes them less bioavailable.
• Juice can have a sticky residue after drying.
• Applying juice to the skin wastes the beneficial internal components.

While not optimal, pure aloe vera juice can still help soothe and relieve minor skin irritation when other options are not available. It’s best to apply it sparingly to small areas of skin.

Can You Substitute Aloe Juice for Gel?

When used as recommended internally, quality aloe juice can provide great health benefits. But it is not recommended as a wholesale replacement for topical aloe gel.

There are some exceptions where aloe juice may work for beauty or medicinal skin care:

• As a quick rinse for skin irritation if pure aloe gel is not on hand.
• Added to creams, gels, or lotions to provide an aloe boost at lower concentration.
• As a scalp rinse or conditioner to help soothe a dry, itchy scalp.
• Blended into body wash to provide mild exfoliation.
• Mixed with water or herbal tea to make a soothing compress.

But for most direct skincare applications, like treating sunburn, applying aloe to cuts, moisturizing dry skin, or making a facial mask, it is best to use a properly prepared aloe vera gel product rather than the juice.

How to Make Your Own Aloe Gel

You can easily make your own aloe gel at home from fresh aloe leaves. Here is a simple DIY aloe gel recipe:

1. Cut 2-3 large outer aloe leaves from a mature plant.
2. Trim off the sharp edges and rinse the leaves.
3. Cut or break off the base of each leaf near the stem.
4. Make a longitudinal cut along the top of each leaf to open it up.
5. Use a spoon to scrape out the clear aloe gel, being careful not to take too much of the green rind.
6. Put the gel pieces in a blender and blend on low speed for 30 seconds until smooth.
7. For smoother gel, mix in a teaspoon of lemon juice and blend again.
8. If desired, mix in 2-5 drops of vitamin E oil as a preservative.
9. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

Homemade aloe gel stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keeping it in an airtight container is important for preserving the beneficial compounds.

Conclusion

When it comes to the skin healing, soothing, and moisturizing abilities of aloe vera, the purified gel directly from the leaves is superior to bottled juice. Aloe juice taken internally does provide health benefits, but it has a different composition and is not ideal for topical use in place of aloe gel. For skin and hair care applications, properly prepared pure aloe vera gel is the best choice.