Aloe has been used for hair care since ancient times. Having originated in the Arabian Peninsula, the epicenter of early trade routes, this medicinal plant quickly moved across the continent to Mediterranean ports and then to Asia. Legend has it that Cleopatra and Nofretete used aloe vera daily as part of their beauty regime due to its many benefits on skin and hair. Whether you grow your aloe or purchase from a quality vendor, the benefits of aloe vera for hair care are numerous.

Aloe is a succulent with 500 different varieties, but the one used predominantly for medicinal and beauty purposes is Aloe barbadensis miller.  When we examine the chemistry of aloe, it becomes clear why this plant is so beneficial. Aloe contains 75 active ingredients, including vitamins A, C, E, B12, and choline. It’s rich in antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E. It also contains seven of the eight essential amino acids and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. 

To make sure you always have a fresh supply of organic aloe available to you, I recommend growing your own. Aloe can be grown in the ground or pots. If you live somewhere with harsh winters, grow aloe in pots and bring it in during the winter months. Potted aloe grows fine indoors if it has access to sunlight.

Aloe is honestly one of the easiest plants to grow! It’s not a plant that requires a great deal of fussing, and being a succulent, it needs or wants very little water. Read how to grow your aloe plants here. Besides giving you free access to aloe gel whenever needed, growing your aloe also eliminates the need for plastic bottles, which is a win for the environment.

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to harvest and prepare your aloe vera gel.

Improve Hair Growth

Aloe vera promotes healthy hair growth thanks to a particular enzyme found in aloe called proteolytic enzymes. These enzymes effectively break down dead skin cells on the scalp that may clog hair follicles, restricting hair growth. Although not a cure for baldness, aloe can be an organic approach to limiting hair loss due to stress or other temporary reasons.

Take pure, 100% aloe vera gel and rub generous amounts on your scalp. Massage and then cover with a shower cap and let the aloe absorb into your scalp for 30 minutes. Massage again and then shampoo. Repeat at least twice a week.  Although rare, if you have never used aloe before, we recommend testing the aloe gel on a small batch of skin initially to check for sensitivities.

Aloe Vera Hair Mask for Deep Moisturizing

When you’ve spent a lot of time outdoors, especially in sandy places like the desert or beach, your hair can become dry and brittle. Create an aloe vera mask for your hair which will quickly bring it back to life.

In a bowl, mix equal parts of pureed aloe vera gel and coconut oil. The amount needed depends on the length and thickness of your hair. Whisk by hand or use a blender. I use an immersion blender in a bowl. Pour over your hair and massage it into the scalp. Cover head with a shower cap to avoid drips, and wait for 20-30 minutes. Then shampoo as usual. Repeat one to two times a week as needed.

In place of coconut oil, you can also use argon or almond oils, but coconut would be the least expensive. For best results, choose organic oils when possible.

Leave-In Conditioner for Hair

To take a preventive approach to hair care, here’s a great recipe from mindbodygreen.com for conditioning your hair before you spend a day out in the great outdoors.

2 T aloe vera gel

3 T distilled water

1 T jojoba oil

Distilled water is a type of purified water that is generally devoid of any impurities or contamination. Distilled water is produced simply by boiling water and condensing the steam back to liquid. This process produces water that is generally the same ph level as your skin and therefore beneficial for skin and hair. 

In a bowl, mix the aloe, oil, and water. Stir the mixture until it’s evenly mixed, then pour it into a spray bottle. Thoroughly shake the spray bottle before use. On damp hair, spritz the mixture all over, evenly distributing the conditioner.

Aloe Vera Shampoo

To cleanse and condition your hair simultaneously, easily mix up your own aloe vera shampoo using these recipe options.

Aloe, Rosemary & Mint Shampoo 

Recipe from www.mom4real.com

Rosemary and peppermint oils are essential oils and have been used for centuries for their many health benefits. Essential oils are most often extracted from the plant using a steam method which produces a highly concentrated oil. Both rosemary and peppermint oils work wonders in a shampoo. Rosemary has high antioxidant levels to protect your hair from environmental damage, and peppermint stimulates the scalp promoting healthy hair growth.

Combine the following ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. If you use your own aloe vera gel that you extract from a plant, keep it in a refrigerator between uses.

6 oz Aloe Vera Gel

3 Tbsp Olive Oil

10 Tbsp Baking Soda

20 drops Rosemary Oil

10 drops Peppermint Oil

Aloe Vera and Honey Shampoo

According to healthline.com, “honey is a great natural hair product that can be used by itself or incorporated into other natural hair treatments. It can promote cell growth, help to retain moisture, and restore nutrients to the hair and scalp.” 

Combine the benefits of honey with aloe vera to further revitalize your hair.

Ingredients

1/4 cup Aloe vera gel

 2 T Honey

2 T Apple cider vinegar

Mix the gel, honey, and apple cider vinegar with an immersion blender or whisk together by hand. Optional: Add a few drops of essential oils such as rosemary, peppermint, lemon, or tea tree for fragrance and added healing properties. Shampoo as you normally would. If the gel is fresh from a plant, keep extra amounts in the refrigerator or use within 2-3 days.

Enjoy creating your own hair masks and shampoo. Once you realize how creating personal care products eliminate a great deal of plastic waste along with saving you money, you may never return to store purchased options!

Have your own favorite recipe for using aloe vera for hair care?  We would love for you to share below in the comments!