Aloe Vera and Honey Hair Gel

Baraka's aloe vera and honey hair gel is a two-ingredient homemade gel. Stir 1/2 cup (120 ml) aloe vera gel into 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey, then work it through damp hair. Many people use it as a light, natural alternative to store-bought gel for curls, and say it leaves hair soft with a little hold. Below you will find the exact amounts, how to get gel from a leaf, and what to avoid mixing it with.

How do you make aloe vera gel for hair?

In Baraka's recipe, you make it by mixing aloe vera gel with a little honey. That is the whole recipe. It takes about five minutes and needs only a bowl and a spoon. You can use gel scooped from a fresh leaf or pure aloe vera gel from a bottle. Many people search for a DIY aloe vera hair gel recipe, and this is the simplest version.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (120 ml) aloe vera gel
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) honey
• 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (optional, about 0.5 g)

Instructions

1. Combine the aloe vera gel and honey in a clean bowl.
2. Stir well until the honey has fully dissolved and the gel looks even.
3. Stir in the essential oil, if using.
4. Transfer the gel to a clean container.
5. Scrunch a small amount into damp hair. Start with a teaspoon and add more only if you need it.

Contains water, so make small batches, keep it cool and throw it out if it smells or looks off.

Essential oil amounts

Essential oil is optional. Our recommended limit for leave-on products is up to 2% of the batch weight on the body and 1% on the face. This batch weighs about 4.5 oz (130 g). Ten drops, about 0.02 oz (0.5 g), is roughly 0.4%, well under those limits. Do not use essential oils in anything for babies or young children. Skip lemon and bergamot, which are phototoxic and should never go in a leave-on recipe. Sweet orange or lavender are gentler choices.

What each ingredient does in this gel

Aloe vera gel is the base. It is water-rich and light, so it spreads easily and gives the gel its slip and a light hold as it dries.

Honey is a humectant, which means it attracts moisture. It adds a little softness and shine, and it makes the gel slightly tacky so curls stick together.

Essential oil adds scent only. It does nothing the gel needs.

How to change the texture

A good rule of thumb: butters make it rich, oils make it soft and light, and wax makes it hold its shape.

• Lighter and runnier: add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of water or cooled green tea. This suits fine, straight or wavy hair.
• Thicker with more hold: use a little less honey, or blend the gel for 20 seconds so it turns fluffy. Aloe gel from a leaf is often runnier than bottled gel.
• Less sticky: cut the honey to 1 teaspoon (5 ml). Too much honey is the usual reason gel feels tacky.
• Richer and softer: for thick, dry or coily hair, work a pea-sized amount of Baraka shea butter between your palms and smooth it over the ends after the gel. Do not stir butter into the gel, because the water and butter will separate.

Is aloe vera and honey good for hair?

Many people who try Baraka's aloe vera and honey hair gel find it is. They report that aloe vera and honey leave hair feeling soft, shiny and easier to manage, with less frizz. Aloe vera and honey have both been used traditionally for hair and skin in many parts of the world. Honey also draws in moisture, which helps hair feel soft.

Be realistic about hair growth. Some small studies look at aloe vera and the scalp, but there is no strong proof that aloe and honey make hair grow faster. If you are losing hair or have a scalp condition, see a doctor or pharmacist. This is DIY advice, not medical advice.

Aloe and honey hair mask

To use the same mix as a rinse-out hair mask, apply a generous amount to damp hair from roots to ends. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse well with lukewarm water and shampoo as usual. Honey rinses out easily with water. Because this version is rinsed off, it does not need the water storage line, but it is still best made fresh.

Can I apply aloe vera gel to my hair?

Yes, you can apply aloe vera gel to your hair. It works well as a light styling gel for waves and curls. Aloe gel is water-based, so it adds moisture but not oil. Here is how people usually use it:

1. Wash and lightly towel-dry your hair so it is damp, not dripping.
2. Smooth a small amount of gel over your palms.
3. Scrunch it upward through sections of hair, from the ends toward the roots.
4. Let your hair air-dry, or let it dry fully before you scrunch out any stiffness.

If you use plain aloe vera gel without honey, the steps are the same. Honey adds softness and shine, but it is not required. Check the label if you use bottled gel. Choose one with few ingredients and no added alcohol, which can leave hair dry.

How do you get gel from an aloe vera leaf?

Baraka's recipe explains it simply: cut a leaf from the plant, drain the yellow sap, slice off the skin and scoop out the clear gel. Here are the steps:

1. Cut a thick, healthy outer leaf close to the base of the plant. Wash it well.
2. Stand the leaf upright in a cup for about 10 minutes. A yellow sap will drain out. Rinse it off. The sap can irritate skin, so do not use it.
3. Lay the leaf flat and trim off the spiky edges with a sharp knife.
4. Slice the top skin off, or cut the leaf in half lengthwise.
5. Scoop out the clear gel with a spoon. Leave the green skin behind.
6. Blend the gel for a few seconds until it is smooth and runny.

One large leaf gives roughly 1/4 to 1/2 cup (60 to 120 ml) of gel, depending on its size. You may need two leaves for one batch.

What are the side effects of aloe vera on hair?

Side effects are uncommon, but Baraka's recipe notes that some people react to aloe vera. The most reported ones are itching, redness or a stinging scalp. Honey can also cause a reaction in some people. If your skin feels irritated, rinse the gel off and stop using it. Patch test first, and ask a doctor or pharmacist about anything that lasts or gets worse.

Other things people notice:

• Stiff or crunchy hair: this often means too much gel was used. Use less, or add a little water.
• Sticky or dry strands: too much honey, or a bottled gel with alcohol, is the usual cause.
• Residue and build-up: rinse with water or shampoo regularly.
• Spoiled gel: it contains water, so it can go off. If it smells sour or looks cloudy, throw it away.

What should you not mix aloe vera with?

Do not mix the gel with strong acids or harsh chemicals. Be careful with lemon juice or vinegar rinses, which can sting a sensitive scalp. Do not add other water-based ingredients, such as milk, rosewater or fruit, and keep the mix for later. Each one makes the gel spoil faster. Do not add lemon or bergamot essential oil to a leave-on gel, because both are phototoxic. Finally, do not use yellow sap from the leaf. Use only the clear inner gel.

Make it your own

These recipes are a starting point, not a rulebook. Use your judgement, be inspired, and don't be afraid to experiment. Everything here is a pure, natural ingredient that blends happily with the others. Start with a small batch, write down what you did, and see how your hair responds. When you find a blend that works for you, make it again.

This recipe was originally published in 28 Simple Recipes.