Aloe Vera has been used for thousands of years as a healing and beauty product. However, while it is often touted as the plant of immortality, aloe vera isn’t everlasting. Therefore, you might be curious as to how long is aloe vera gel good for and does aloe vera gel have a specific shelf life?
Because Aloe Vera gel, like any other organic matter or plant-based product, spoils when exposed to air, you’ll find that different Aloe Vera products expire at different times. So, when stored properly, how long does aloe vera last in the fridge?
In our guide, you can learn how long various pure Aloe Vera gel products last and the shelf life of store Aloe Vera gel. By the end, you’ll know how to extend the shelf life of these products to gain the benefits that aloe vera can offer. (Read Can You Feel A Tick Bite)
Does Aloe Vera Expire?
Any expired aloe vera gel product should not be used. Nutritionists warn that using expired aloe gel past the expiration date could lead to reactions such as skin irritation and discomfort.
Once aloe vera gel has expired, you may notice it no longer smells the same, and you could see it is a murky color rather than clear now mold is surfacing.
Both raw aloe vera gel products and commercial aloe vera can show the same. However, it may take longer for the commercial store-bought gel to show signs of deterioration because of the preservatives.
Aloe vera advantages typically depend on the aloe vera being fresh and within its expiration date. Applying outdated aloe vera gel may not be as effective because quality is reduced.
The Aloe vera product may not soothe your skin or treat wounds as efficiently as you forecast because it loses its moisturizing qualities with time.
While it might not work as intended, sometimes it might have a negative effect on a person’s skin. It could irritate or dry out your skin, for instance.
When administered to open wounds, aloe vera gel may lead to an infection if bacteria enter the container.
The same rules apply when ingesting aloe vera; therefore, be careful not to consume edible aloe vera from outdated aloe vera products.
How Does Aloe Vera Gel Spoil?
Whether you use processed or fresh Aloe vera gel, the product should have a clear or yellow/gold appearance, although it will always translucent.
You’ll find the green color added to many store-bought variants is for aesthetic purposes, and they have effect when using aloe vera.
One the product faces exposure to the air, fresh aloe vera gel oxidizes rapidly turns pink or crimson.
This product discoloration isn’t a major deal when the gel is used, or you refrigerate it right away. The discoloration is a natural occurrence, as when the aloe vera plant is stressed, such as facing too much direct sunlight or poor soil, they take on a pinkish hue.
One of the key indicators your Aloe Vera gel has gone bad, when using homemade Aloe Vera gel, is the unpleasant odor. Next, you’ll find your handmade gel starts losing its moisturizing properties.
Most store-bought Aloe Vera don’t show the same color change once opened. They are packed with preservatives, so because of this, you’ll need to monitor the expiration date to tell if or when the product can be bad. (Read Will A Snake Cross A Braided Rope)
How Long Can You Keep Aloe Vera Gel?
The shelf life of homemade aloe vera gel generated from aloe leaf is shorter than prepackaged aloe vera gel bought from a store. This is because of the lack of preservatives in fresh aloe vera gel, which you take directly from the plant’s leaves.
The aloe vera gel only typically lasts around 24 hours at room temperature when it is taken directly from the plant.
The raw gel from an aloe leaf should keep for up to a week in the refrigerator, and while you may freeze it, this usually only extends its shelf life by one to two weeks.
You can extend the life of your fresh aloe leaf gel by adding preservatives like Vitamin C or Vitamin E oil if you gather your own gel.
example storage times:
- Room temperature: up to 24 hours
- Refrigerator: up 7 days
- Freezer: around one to 2 weeks
To make prepackaged aloe vera gel last longer than the raw gel found in the leaves, preservatives have been added. Most store-bought aloe vera gel products have the expiration date prominently displayed on the bottle.
Store bought Aloe vera gel will typically last two years if kept at room temperature, and last five years, and occasionally even longer, if you store it in the refrigerator.
Although you can freeze aloe vera gel, doing so has the same expiration effect as storing it in the fridge.
How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Last?
Here is the full answer for will aloe vera expire? Fresh cut raw aloe vera leaf from a live aloe vera plant won’t have a very long shelf life as it hasn’t been pasteurized or heat processed.
It is acceptable to freeze the gel to create Aloe Vera ice cubes if you won’t use it within that time frame and to extend the expected shelf life while you maintain the health benefits of the aloe vera leaves.
Depending on the label, commercially processed Aloe Vera products bought from a store contain preservatives to help keep the beneficial ingredients active for a prolonged duration, from a few weeks to several years.
Here you can see the expected shelf life of each Aloe Vera products:
- Gel: When properly stored Aloe Vera gel comes with an expiration date of 2-3 years. It isn’t necessary to keep refrigerated, although store in a cool, dry place, and free from natural sunlight.
- Capsules: You must keep Aloe Vera capsules stored in a cool, dry place from direct sunlight to ensure long life. The capsules’ active ingredients last up to 5-years expiration dates that are based on the manufacturing date.
- Juice or Extract: Aloe Vera juice is extracted from the inner gel of the plant. When you ask how long does aloe vera juice last? When consuming store-bought Aloe Vera juice, or extract, you’ll need to keep fresh aloe vera juice refrigerated or frozen.
When Does Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Several cosmetic and medical uses exist for aloe vera leaf. Aloe vera plant gel is used in the production of lotions, gels, and ointments.
It can be found in liquid or capsule formulations that are administered orally. When consumed in its raw form, aloe vera gel loses its potency after a day at room temperature and after a week in the refrigerator.
However, commercial aloe vera is preserved for two years, and freezing or refrigeration can extend its shelf life to five years.
Aloe vera leaf inner gel is used either raw to apply to skin or combined with liquid to create aloe juice. Depending on how you keep it, you can use this gel for a day or a week.
Aloe vera that is sold commercially now has chemical preservatives to increase its shelf life to two years. (Learn How to Build an Outdoor Shower Enclosure)
The Aloe vera capsules are made to last for several years. Before popping a capsule, check you aren’t about to drop an expired aloe vera leaf capsule. More harm than good can be done by an outdated oral formulation.
The time until aloe vera loses its beneficial characteristics is estimated by the expiration date indicated above. There are certain techniques to increase the shelf life of aloe vera and its many forms if you want to keep it fresh for longer.
How Can the Expiry Date of Aloe Vera Be Extended?
When storing Aloe vera, the substance needs handling the same way as food goods, which are kept fresh by refrigeration or freezing.
To extend or decrease the aloe vera plant’s gel expiration date, you should know some dos and don’ts.
Aloe vera can be kept fresher longer by being kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry location.
Or, to significantly extend the shelf life, add natural preservatives like vitamin C or E or honey. Then, to keep Aloe vera as fresh as possible, refrigerate or freeze it.
Remember when keeping Aloe vera at room temperature:
- Avoid exposure to the sun. Direct sunlight can harm the plant and the extracted gel, causing both to lose their natural health benefits.
- Use an airtight container. Aloe vera, whether it is purchased from a store or is fresh, can oxidize, and the gel can dry out and lose its effectiveness.
- Avoid moisture. Aloe vera may grow mold in humid environments, and mold-covered aloe vera is bad for the skin.
When wrapped in a damp towel, you can increase the shelf life of aloe vera leaves by storing in the refrigerator for one week.
The raw aloe vera leaves can then be stored in an airtight freezer bag and preserved in the freezer for around eight months to keep them from wilting and losing their freshness.
