Aloe vera has been used for centuries for its different health, beauty, and medicinal benefits. This resilient succulent that mainly grows in drier regions has leaves that contain an inner clear gel that is 99% water and the rest being amino acids, lipids, vitamins, enzymes, minerals, sugars, and other components. When the inner leaf is harvested, it can be used raw, as a gel or dried into a powder form. But does a powder work as well as a gel does? What are the differences between the two and how can they be used?
Let’s go over ways to use aloe vera and how the different forms can suit needs differently.
The Difference Between Aloe Vera Gel and Powder
While aloe vera has multiple benefits as a whole, it can be made into different versatile forms and fit your needs differently. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each to help you decide what form of aloe vera could work best for you.
Aloe Vera Powder
Aloe vera powder is created by converting the aloe plant liquid, whether the inner leaf or entire leaf, into a powder. There are two main processes to create aloe vera powder: spray drying or freeze drying. Spray drying uses heat to evaporate the water content from the aloe liquid that leaves behind the dissolved solids. Freeze drying is where a cold vacuum is used instead of the heat to evaporate the water content.
Aloe vera powder is commonly used as a dietary supplement used in shakes, smoothies, or beverages. It also can be used in some dry cosmetic products to combat oiliness. Overall in comparison to aloe vera gel, it is used inside the body rather than the outside.
Advantages of aloe vera powder:
- Longer shelf life
- Higher concentration
- Little to no taste when taken orally
- Easier to store
- Does not require refrigeration or freezing
- Can increase the longevity of products
Disadvantages of aloe vera powder:
- Aloe vera powder can be harder to find in stores
- Powder tends to be more expensive than gel
- Is not as fresh as gel
- Needs to be mixed with water to be used
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is made from the liquid inside the leaves of an aloe plant. The odor-free, clear gel inside the plant can be both placed directly on to the skin, or can be ingested by drinking it with water, juice, or in a smoothie. Externally, it has been known to work very well for minor burns, cuts, irritated scars or itchy skin, and scars with its immediate cooling effects and antiseptic properties. Because of this, aloe vera gel is somewhat more versatile than aloe powder and is less concentrated, but both still can have beneficial effects for different uses. The gel does have a shorter shelf-life than powder, and needs to be stored in a fridge or freezer.
Advantages of aloe vera gel:
- Soothes and cools the skin
- Gentle on cuts, scrapes, and burns
- Provides topical relief
- Can be used both internally and externally
Disadvantages of aloe vera gel:
- Can be easily contaminated
- Has a bitter taste
- Not as concentrated as aloe vera powder
- Shorter shelf-life than powder
- Needs to be stored in a refrigerator or freezer
Benefits Of Aloe Vera In All Forms
So which is better for you? It really does come down to what you are using aloe vera for and how it can fit to suit your needs. Regardless of what form aloe vera comes in, the properties of aloe vera can be used in many different ways in different types of skin care, hair care, and supplement products, or on its own directly from the leaves, offering multiple benefits for the body, internally or externally.
Aloe vera, in any form, has many benefits:
- Has antioxidant and antibacterial properties
- Easily absorbed in the bloodstream
- Can help accelerate healing skin
- Improves skin’s elasticity
- Boosts the body’s immune system
- Lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure
- Repairs and soothes the digestive tract
In whatever form you choose to use aloe vera, Aloe Labs can help. Whether you are making DIY products at home or have a company that needs larger amounts of aloe vera leaves, juice, gel, oil, or powder, we have over 150 acres of organic aloe vera fields to meet your needs.
At Aloe Laboratories, we maintain our own aloe vera farm and production site, allowing us to craft the best products possible while keeping bulk and wholesale prices low. We proudly produce aloe vera products that are specific to every client’s needs and believe in the many different benefits that aloe vera has to offer.
If you’re interested in our products, contact us for more information on bringing aloe vera into your home or business.