Aloe Vera is one of those unique succulents that has gained a lot of popularity. Called the plant of immortality, Aloe Vera has been one of the most widely used natural skin tonics. Known to take care of sun burns and handling acne effectively, it has been the best to be taking care of your scalp as well. But, does the Aloe Vera gel expire?
Quick Answer
Yes, Aloe Vera gel is an organic product and it is bound to expire. The gel generally expires in one or two days if you keep it in open or in room temperature. If you keep it refrigerated, it can expire in around a week. The best way to keep it safe for over a year is to freeze it. If you have processed products, it would be advisable to check the label for the right information.
Aloe vera gel has been used for various health benefits like keeping the skin healthy and to treat sunburn. This gel can be extracted if you have an Aloe Vera plant to make your own pure gel. Now the question arises does Aloe Vera gel expire? Yes, Aloe vera gel does expire and like other plants or raw materials, it decays after a certain period of time. The durability of the gel depends on the form of Aloe vera that is being used like gel, lotion or juices, raw leaves, extracts etc.
Does Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Aloe Vera gel does expire and this is true about every sort of Aloe Vera product that includes Alo Vera oil, Aloe Vera shampoo and many others. Aloe Vera has numerous benefits that range from applying it on the skin for moisturizing and relaxing, for better digestive health, and for improving the immune system.
Aloe Vera has about 200 nutrients and 75 possibly active constituents such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, lignin, saponins, amino acids, and salicylic acid that our body needs. The exact expiry date of the Aloe Vera gel will largely depend on the type of Aloe Vera used. It is advisable to check the label that came with your product to find the exact time till which you an keep the Aloe Vera gel safer until it becomes stale and useless.
When does Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
The shelf life of the Aloe Vera gel is largely be based on the type of product. It may be noted that not every Aloe Vera gel is made same. When does Aloe Vera gel expire is dependent on the ingredients and the way it hs been manufactured or extracted.
Raw Homemade Aloe Vera Gel
The raw and fresh Aloe Vera gel that is freshly extracted from a plant will expire in a couple of days. If you can refrigerate it, it can stay for up to one to four weeks. Frozen Aloe Vera gel is known to stay good for a year.
Raw Aloe Vera is extracted from a live Aloe Vera plant. The homemade or raw Aloe vera Gel is known to have a shorter shelf life than the processed Aloe Vera gel. That would man raw Aloe Vera gel does expire faster than the processed products in the same genre.
Have you seen a vegetable that has been cut and placed in a refrigerator? Keeping it in the fridge will help you maintain it safer without any sign of persih. This holds true in the case of Aloe Vera as well. The frozen Aloe Veera will have all its ingredients intact. However, it may be necessary to use it immediately soon after defrosting.
Here is how long Aloe Vera gel can stay safe if it is raw Aloe Vera –
- At room temperature – 1-2 days
- Refrigerated – 1 to 4 week
- Frozen – One year
Aloe Vera Gel Products
The Aloe Vera Gel other than home made can have a shelf life of around two to three years. But, for that to happen, it is absolutely necessary to follow the storage instructions. It may not be necessary to store it in a refrigerator. However, it is always advisable to store them in a cool and dry place. Care should e taken to avoid the direct sunlight.
It is always important to keep the lid of the container always closed tightly. It is also important to take care to clean up your hands before handling the gel. Do not store the gel in an open container in any circumstances. Now that Aloe Vera is used for sun screen purposes, it is obvious that you will take it to the beaches. If you have brought it with you to the beach, make sure that it is not left in the direct sunlight.
Here is what you should know about Aloe Vera gel can stay safe –
- Room temperature – 2 to 3 years
- Frozen or refrigerated – More than 5 years
Juice and extracts
Aloe Vera Juice or extract can stand safe for over one to three years. But notice that I can stay in good condition if unopened for two to three years. However, if you open it, it can stay safer only for a week or so.
The Aloe Vera extract and juice are the terms used interchangeably. The gel is extracted from the inner part of thee plant. If you have bought the Aloe Vera juice form a grocery store or departmental store, it should be kept refrigerated. The label on the product should show you the expiration date for the product. The extract should stay fresh for a week or a period that you would find on the label. the time or the expiry date is based on the preservatives used.
Here is what you should know about Aloe Vera extract can stay safe –
- Unopened – 1 to 3 years
- Once opened – One to two weeks
Aloe Vera Capsules
Aloe Vera capsules normally stay in good condition for around five years. You can assure a long life if you store in a cool and dry place. Take care not to contaminate it.
You should keep the Aloe Vera capsules away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing in an excessive heat or direct sunlight. You should also make sure to avoid the excess humidity. Check the proper storage instructions for taking care of the Aloe Vera capsules.
Here is what you should know about Aloe Vera capsules can stay safe –
- More than two years.
Bonus Reading – How To Store Aloe Vera Gel?
To increase the shelf life of Aloe Vera gel, it should be stored with proper care. Here is how you can store the gel –
- Aloe vera gel made without adding anything can be stored in the refrigerator for one week in an airtight container. By adding any one or both vitamins ( C or E) will increase the shelf life for about 2 months in the refrigerator.
- To preserve aloe vera gel for a longer time, just freeze it. Transfer the gel in ice trays and keep them inside the freezer. These gel cubes are easy to use and are very effective for sunburns and dry skin. These aloe vera gel cubes can also be used as instant first-aid.
- Add vitamin E oil to the gel: if you want to use it for facial, hair treatments or nails. This is also a good way to store the gel. The gel becomes more effective by adding vitamin E oil to the gel. Put the gel in a blender along with vitamin E oil and blend it properly. Transfer it into a container and store it in the fridge. Use it when required.
- Preservation with honey: The main limitation of using aloe vera gel in a natural gel-like form is that all the gel extracted from the aloe vera leaf is not used at once which results in wasting a lot of it. To avoid wastage and to make it last longer, combine aloe vera gel with equal amounts of honey. This mixture can be used for making smoothies and facial masks.
- Adding vitamin C to the aloe vera gel: You can add vitamin C to extend the shelf life of gel for about a month and keep it in the fridge. Extract the aloe vera gel and put it in a blender. Add lemon juice to it and blend it together. Keep the mixture in a container and store it in the fridge.
What is Aloe Vera gel used for?
Aloe Vera has been known as the Plant of immortality. It is used primarily for skin care. It is known for protecting your skin and taking care of all the skin related problems. That apart, it is also used for a few digestive issues .
External uses of Aloe Vera
The best benefits offered by the Aloe Vera gel when applied externally would include
- Moisturising your skin
- Taking care of skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, seborrhea, and acne.
- It helps controlling sunburns and minor burns
- It can also work as a great option as a hair treatment mask
Internal uses of Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has been known for the best results when taken internally.
The benefits offered by the Aloe vera can include –
- It relieves the symptoms of heartburn
- It helps take care of the IBSS symptoms
- It can be a great option for mouthwash
How Can You Tell if Aloe Vera is Expired? Signs To Know Aloe Vera Has Expired
There are several ways that you can show you that Aloe Vera has expired. You can check out a few signs to indicate that the Aloe Vera has gone bad.
Check the color and appearance of the Aloe Vera gel
The pure Aloe Vera gel is not green as has been normally known to be. The normal color of the Aloe vera gel is light yellow to gold translucent color. A pink or red color can be an indication that the gel has been exposed to sunlight. Check out for the extreme changes in color. If the color has changed to an extreme level, it can be an indication that the gel has gone bad.
Smell it to find the condition
When the Aloe Vera gel has expired, it would change its smell. If you notice an unpleasant odor or a cloudy appearance, it is high time to discard the gel. However, it should be noticed that Aloe Vera generally changes the color before it can change the smell.
Check for the mold growth
If you find the Aloe Vera gel has developed mold growth, it is high time you deiscard off the any product, gel, liquid, or fresh leaves. The growth of mold can result in allergic reactions. If you apply such gel onto your skin, it can result in harmful reactions or infections.
What Happens If I Use Expired Aloe Vera Gel?
It is not advisable to use expired Aloe Vera gel once it has gone bad. It can cause skin irritations or other unpleasant reactions. It can consist of microbes, and that can be harmful for your skin and can even result in severe health conditions.
If the Aloe Vera has been found to have gone bad, it is not advisable to use it. If the spiled Aloe vera is ingested into the stomach, it can result in severe digestive issues. Spolied Aloe Vera gel can cause redness and itching.
How to Extend the Shelf Life of Aloe Vera gel?
The best option to increase the shelf life of Aloe vera gel is to freeze the gel into ice cubes. You can also extend the shelf life of the Aloe Vera gel is to keep it away from the direct sunlight. You can also consider adding a few preservatives.
There are several options that you can put to use when you are looking to extend the life of Aloe Vera gel. You can follow the steps here below to take an absolute care of your Aloe Vera gel –
- Keep it away from direct sunlight – Keeping the gel away from the sunlight can be a great option to help you take care of your aloe ver gel. This will help it avoid the possibility of losing the natural health elements
- Add preservatives – You can consider adding natural preservatives like vitamins C or E or honey. They can extend the shelf life to a drastic degree.
- Avoid the humid conditions – Avoiding the humidity should be one of the most practical solutions to help take care of the Aloe Vera gel. Humid climate can cause the growth of mold and that is something that you need to avoid.
- Use airtight containers – Storing your Aloe Vera gel in airtight containers would be more practical in helping you avoid the oxidation loss.
Bonus reading – How to take care of Aloe Vera Gel?
You can use the following preservatives for taking care of your Aloe Vera gel –
The Aloe Vera gel brought from the shops can have the following preservatives –
- Citric acid
- Ascorbic acid
- Vitamin E
- Potassium sorbate
If you are looking to get your own natural preservatives, you can consider the following –
- Honey – Add 50% honey to 50% Aloe Vera gel.
- Vitamin C – You can add lemon juice.
- Vitamin E – Use 6000 IU of Vitamin E.
- Gelatin
Parting Thoughts
Well, taking care of the Aloe Vera gel can be quite a difficult task. Check out the tips on how to save the Aloe Vera gel for an extended period of time. While Aloe Vera gel has been known to expire after a while, but it is always a good idea to find what makes the gel to go bad. The tips above should be helpful in letting you find the ways to extend the life of Aloe Vera gel.
FAQs
How Long Does an Aloe Vera Leaf Last?
The time for which the leaf has been stored would be the deciding factor in finding how long does Aloe vera leaf last. You can refrigerate the leaf for the prolonged results. Our tips would be to freeze them as that would further enhance the life of the leaf.
How can I check if my aloe vera gel has expired?
You can check the expiry date of the Aloe Vera gel on the product label. The color and consistency of the gel can be one of the prime indicatros to the condition of the gel. The smell of the gel can also be a good option in this context. .
Can I refrigerate aloe vera gel to make it last longer?
Refrigeration can help extend the life of the Aloe Vera gel. However, when refrigerating, make sure that the gel is stored in a watertight container.
Can I use expired aloe vera gel on my skin?
It is not recommended to use the expired aloe vera gel on the skin. It may contain microbes which can cause reactions and infection on your skin.