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Does Aloe Vera Gel Expire?

Does aloe vera gel expire?

A common question that remains among aloe vera gel fans is – Does aloe vera gel expire? And we are here with a comprehensive guide to answer all these questions.

This natural extract gel is rich in soothing properties and so has a wide range of applications from the skin to hair and overall healthcare. It can be used raw and fresh from the aloe plant at your home or you may get a packaged gel from a nearby drugstore. Both are equally effective yet have distinct application areas. Unfortunately, this gel lasts shorter than compatible products. Whether you own a store-bought one or extract afresh from the plant, aim to use it in a few days to ensure optimal efficacy and safety.

Let us explore “Can aloe vera gel go bad?” in detail. We will also share storage techniques for longer shelf-life, how to identify if it is good or bad, and more.

What Does ‘Expiration’ Mean for Aloe Vera Gel?

Expiration is nothing but an indicator of a period after which the aloe vera gel becomes ineffective or useless. In other words, its effectiveness and the benefits it delivers are no longer to be expected once it expires.

One must attempt aloe gel consciously because its expiry means its texture changes, a major decline happens with its beneficial compounds and bacterial growth starts.

Fresh aloe vera gel is usually extracted from the leaf. It is free from preservatives and intended to be used right away. With this said, it has no expiration date but at the same time, it doesn’t mean it can be used forever.

The aloe gel bought from the store is labelled with an expiry date and is supposed to be utilized before the timeframe lapses. It however lasts longer than fresh gel as it is infused with preservatives and stabilizers. Don’t forget to check how long it will last once opened.

Considering these key factors will increase understanding regarding how long aloe vera lasts, no matter if it is fresh or packaged.

Does Aloe Vera Gel Expire?

Yes, the aloe gel expires, just like any other natural healthcare product. Its shelf life is typically short despite adding preservatives. When extracted fresh, it should be used as soon as possible. Unlike packaged gel, fresh gel isn’t labelled with any expiration date. On the other hand, packaged gel has a different shelf life when bought and kept unopened/used. The exposure to sunlight and air declines its quality, thus losing its potential benefits.

When Does Aloe Vera Gel Go Bad?

You may wonder sometimes – can aloe vera gel go bad? Well, yes! But when does it expire? Its expiration varies whether it is extracted fresh or bought from the store.

Fresh Aloe Vera Gel:

If refrigerated, it will last for up to a week or two. Unrefrigerated fresh aloe vera gel has a shelf life no longer than a day or two at (normal room temperature).

Packaged Aloe Vera Gel:

If you buy one from the store and don’t open it, it will last until the expiration date printed on the product pack. Most of the packaged gels have mentions of 2 to 3 years of shelf life.

When opened, its shelf life drops by 6 to 12 months as per the preservatives, stabilizers, and storage conditions.

As seen, the expiration of this product is influenced by factors such as storage technique, environment, and extraction method. If any contamination happens while extracting or storing improperly, it is prone to spoil faster.

How to Store Fresh Aloe Gel for Maximum Shelf Life?

No wonder a lot of people have a thing for aloe vera plants at home. If you have one at yours and using the gel afresh regularly, ensure proper storage conditions to lock its benefits and freshness. Follow these tips so you become a pro at how to preserve aloe gel effectively:

How to Store Fresh Aloe Gel for Maximum Shelf Life

Prevent contamination – Ensure cleanliness while extracting the gel from the plant. Clean your hands/wear gloves and use sanitized tools so you don’t contaminate accidentally.

Use natural preservatives – Adding essential oils (such as lavender or tea tree) or Vitamin-E oil to the fresh aloe gel extends its shelf-life. These are natural preservatives anyone can use at their convenience.

Store it properly – Your storage method can determine the longevity of fresh gel. For instance, the gel frozen in ice cube trays can last longer than otherwise and thaw easily.

Opt for Refrigeration – Although you can choose to keep it without refrigeration too, storing it in the fridge will hike its shelf-life from 1-2 days to around 10-14 days. Make sure to keep it in an airtight container while refrigerating the same.

By the time you are now aware – does aloe vera gel expire? You also know a handful of techniques to ensure using it for a longer duration and avail its abundant benefits.

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How to Tell If Aloe Vera Gel Has Gone Bad?

Learning to identify the early signs of expired aloe vera gel can help you avoid potential risks of using the same. If you are unaware of it and use the expired product, you’ll be prone to allergies. You can identify the expired one through these signs:

  1. Look for the colour change: While fresh gel seems clear/lightly green, you know it has gone bad if it seems yellow/brown/cloudy in the shade.
  2. Observe the change in texture: You shall discard the gel considering spoiled if it gets slimy, lumpy, or watery. This means it is no longer in usable condition.
  3. Odour: A fresh one has a fresh and pleasing smell, if a sour/unpleasant odour is felt, let it go.
  4. Check for bacterial growth: If you see those teeny-tiny creatures crawling, any mould is visible, or an unusual film-like formation is observed, it has gone bad.

If you were confused with “Can aloe vera gel go bad?” until now, Kudos for the capability to identify when it’s time to discard the bad/expired one.

Does Expired Aloe Vera Gel Work?

Expired aloe vera gel loses its potential benefits, and thus becomes ineffective. Once it has reached the expiration phase, its active compounds degrade while bacterial development begins. Using the gel in such conditions will only lead to irritating skin, rashes, redness, or similar allergic reactions.

Using expired aloe vera gel is not recommended. Over time, the active compounds in aloe degrade, reducing its effectiveness. Additionally, spoiled aloe gel can cause skin irritation, redness, or allergic reactions. You better dump it in the trash can and buy a fresh product to ensure safety.

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The Science Behind Aloe Vera Expiration

Let us break down the concept of “Does aloe vera gel expire” with some science-backed data.

The nutrient profile of aloe vera gel has active compounds such as vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. They collectively add to its benefits but are prone to air, light, and moisture. With time, air can make the product lose its antioxidant properties, increase exposure to bacterial growth & decline its potency/efficacy. Considering these, you should be very conscious regarding the expiration date of your aloe gel.

Conclusion

Aloe vera gel has an abundance of benefits for the skin, hair, and overall health. However, ensuring its freshness is important to extract its advantages, maximize benefits, and keep away from the side effects. You now have an idea regarding – does aloe vera gel expires? So, the next time someone is confused, you can help out. If you are willing to buy one, why not check out our Alokem gel?

FAQs

1. Can you use aloe vera gel after it has expired?

No, it is not advised to use aloe vera gel after it has crossed the expiry date. Its potential benefits and efficacy are eventually lost, once expires. If used anyway, it causes skin irritations.

2. How does refrigeration affect aloe vera gel’s shelf life?

Refrigerating fresh or store-bought aloe vera gel increases its shelf life. The cool temperature allows it to stay fresh and effective for a longer period.

3. Does aloe vera gel expire in the fridge?

If you have stored it in the fridge and wondering does aloe vera expires in the fridge, yes! Even if you have refrigerated it, the fresh gel has a shelf-life of up to 2 weeks only. However, if you are using a packaged one, it’ll have expiration date mentions to be considered accordingly.

4. What should you do with expired aloe vera gel?

The only thing you are supposed to do with expired aloe vera gel is – discard it.

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