Aloe vera gel soothes and calms irritated skin thanks to its hydrating and anti-inflammatory abilities. Having a bottle handy means fast relief when minor skin mishaps strike. But you may wonder – does aloe vera gel expire eventually?
Understanding if and when pure aloe gel goes bad ensures its fullest benefits each time you smooth it on sunburn, cuts, dry areas and more. Let’s explore the shelf life and signs that those opened leaf bits or sealed bottles may need replacing.
In This Article
A Brief Benefits Overview
Before discussing “does aloe vera gel expire”, let’s review why it deserves space in medicine cabinets. The gel-like substance inside aloe leaves contains:
- Vitamins: C, E, B complex, beta carotene
- Minerals: Zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, chromium
- Enzymes
- Sugars
- Hormones
- Amino acids
- Fatty acids
Together this nutrient profile enables aloe vera gel’s soothing abilities. It hydrates skin, fights inflammation, protects against bacteria, diminishes scarring and generally quickens healing. These desired effects make freshness so key when wondering “does aloe vera gel expire” eventually.
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Does Aloe Vera Gel Have an Expiration Date?
Yes, aloe vera gel does expire and come with best by dates. Shelf lives vary among commercial products in squeezable tubes versus household leaves. For the most part:
does aloe vera gel expire
Unopened aloe gel: 2-3 years
Cut aloe leaves: 3-4 weeks
Opened gel: 1-2 years
Obviously correct storage extends or reduces timeframes when asking “does aloe vera gel expire”. Let’s explore each form deeper.
Whole Aloe Vera Plant Gel
Breaking plump aloe leaves open oozes with incredibly potent fresh gel. It lasts around 3-4 weeks stored in an airtight container in the fridge. The lack of preservatives means it oxidizes quickly, causing deteriorated benefits. If you see darkening or strange consistency, toxins indicate spoilage. Discard at that point.
Of course you can wrap cut edges in plastic wrap to discourage drying. But with such a short shelf life window, most use aloe immediately to utilize it while viable. Then replace sliced leaves regularly.
Sealed Store-Bought Gel
Commercially packaged aloe often gets preserved and stabilized specifically to answer “does aloe vera gel expire” with a longer timeframe. Unopened 100% pure inner leaf gel lasts up to 3 years in cool, dark spaces. The fridge expands life too but isn’t required.
Added vitamin C and E even helps these shelf-stable tubes better retain key active nutrients compared to raw gel alone in a baggie.
Opened Aloe Vera Gel Expiration
After first use, opened pure aloe gel generally stays stable around 1-2 years in the fridge with limited oxygen entry.
However blends with thickeners, stabilizers or alcohol may last under 6 months if citrus juices, petrolatum or witch hazel stimulate faster oxidation.
So does aloe vera gel expire quicker after opening? Yes because exposing ingredients to air, bacteria and light degrades purity over time.
How to Tell If Aloe Vera Gel is Spoiled?
How do you know when those leftover aloe blobs in the crisper need trashing? Clues include:
- Liquid separation
- Darker or duller color
- Clumping or stringy texture
- Unpleasant, rotten or moldy smell
- Irritation rash when applied
- Not absorbing well into skin
- Lack of cooling sensation
Rancid aloe loses anti-inflammatory might so don’t tolerate awkard changes before asking “does aloe vera gel expire”. Dispose expired gel safely and replace.
Why Does Aloe Vera Gel Go Bad?
Like an apple turning brown, aloe gel contains active enzymes and plant compounds that oxidize when peeled from the protective inner leaf lining. Exposure to air and microbes quickens chemical breakdowns plus nutrient value loss. This reaction means all harvested gel has a finite life span.
Certain added preservatives in drugstore varieties aim to slow microbe contamination and other decay. But these can’t prevent inevitable expiration as molecules simply destabilize over time. After a while, toxic or inert remnants make it ineffective skin soother.
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Does Aloe Lotion Expire?
Yes, aloe vera-based lotions also expire after 1-2 years typically. Look for changes in consistency, scent or packaging separation which indicate degraded formulas.
Can I Use Expired Aloe Vera Gel on my Face?
It’s not recommended. Expired aloe vera gel may irritate skin or fail to properly hydrate and soothe. Stick to fresh aloe gel for face use.
What Happens if You Use Expired Aloe Vera Gel?
Using old, oxidized aloe vera gel provides less anti-inflammatory and healing benefits for skin. It may also cause skin irritation, rashes, or fail to absorb well.
Can I Use Expired Aloe Vera Gel on Skin?
No, avoid using expired aloe vera gel anywhere on the skin. The ingredients can become unsafe for skin over time, causing more harm than good. Always opt for a fresh, unexpired aloe gel instead.
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Does Store Bought Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, commercially sold aloe gels in tubes or bottles also expire typically 1-3 years after opening or first use per labeled dates. Unopened, store-bought aloe lasts up to 3 years.
Can I Use Expired Aloe Vera Juice on my Hair?
It’s best not to use expired aloe juice in DIY hair recipes. Like gel, the expired juice likely loses beneficial properties for restoring hair moisture, health and shine. Stick to recommended aloe juice shelf lives instead.
What to do with Expired Aloe Vera Juice?
Safely discard expired aloe vera juice products in the trash. Do not attempt to drink or use topically expired aloe juice, as oxidation may pose health risks. Replace your aloe juice bottles regularly to ensure freshness.
Does Banana Boat Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, Banana Boat’s aloe gels also expire typically 1-3 years after opening. Check bottles for expiration dates and discard once passed for best quality.
How to Store Aloe Vera Leaf in Fridge?
Wrap cut aloe leaf tips tightly in plastic wrap and place the leaves stem-side down in a container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 weeks.
How to Store Cut Aloe Vera?
Seal cut aloe vera leaves in an airtight bag or container, removing excess air. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 weeks before use.
Can You Freeze Fresh Aloe Vera?
Yes, you can freeze aloe vera gel in an ice cube tray or freezer bags for later use for up to about 6 months. It may slightly alter the consistency once thawed.
Does Aloe Vera Cooling Gel Expire?
Yes, aloe vera gels advertised as “cooling” do expire as well. Unopened, it lasts around 3 years or refer to the labeled expiration date. Opened cooling gels expire within 1-2 years in the fridge.
Does Aloe Vera Gel in a Bottle Expire?
Yes, bottled aloe vera gel has a shelf life. Unopened, it’s effective for 2-3 years stored properly. Once opened, the gel typically expires within 1-2 years refrigerated.
Does Aloe Vera Gel with Lidocaine Expire?
Yes, just like regular aloe gels, versions mixed with lidocaine also carry expiration dates around 2-3 years sealed or 1-2 years opened. Always adhere to labeled dates.
Does Aloe Vera Soothing Gel Expire?
Yes, soothing aloe vera gels expire as well. Unopened soothers are estimated to last about 3 years stored correctly. Opened tubes should get used up within 18 months or refer to expiration stamps.
Does Expired Aloe Vera Gel Work?
No, expired aloe vera gel should not be used or applied topically. Outdated aloe loses its beneficial properties and risks skin irritation or infection. Always opt for a fresh gel.
Does Fruit of the Earth Aloe Gel Expire?
Yes, Fruit of the Earth aloe vera gel expires typically 1-3 years from opening, or slightly longer if unopened and stored properly away from light and heat. Refer to labels.
Does Homemade Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, homemade aloe gel from fresh leaves expires faster around 3-4 weeks refrigerated when stored in airtight containers. It lacks preservatives so won’t keep long.
Does Organic Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, organic certified aloe gel also has a shelf life. Unopened organic aloe vera gel lasts 2-3 years when stored correctly. Once opened, it expires within 1-2 years refrigerated.
Does Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
Yes, Patanjali’s aloe vera gel expires as well. Unopened tubes have an approximate 3 year shelf life while opened gel is estimated to expire within 1-2 years refrigerated. Refer to packaging.
Proper Storage to Prolong Freshness
To answer “does aloe vera gel expire” with maximum lifespan, especially after opening, keep your source tightly sealed in a cool fridge location to slow bacteria and dark-induced oxidation. Avoid extreme heat or freezing too. With care, some bottles stay potent nearing their full 2-3 years.
Can You Use Expired Aloe Gel?
Using aloe vera past printed dates or visible/scent changes poses safety issues to compromised skin. Mold risk and loss of anti-inflammatory properties means you don’t achieve sought benefits. Rancid gel could worsen original skin conditions.
Check with your dermatologist before applying expired aloe. Most doctors recommend erring on the side of caution and acquiring fresh gel instead for the most healing power when skin needs a botanical assist. Don’t take chances to find out “does aloe vera gel expire” the hard way.
Conclusion
In closing, aloe vera gel does expire due to natural enzymatic processes that degrade leaves and liquid from harvest to application. But understanding correct preservation methods, fridge storage as well as visual and scent clues indicating spoiled products allows you to reap soothing aloe rewards to the very last drop. Then replace bottles as close to hitting expiration as possible. By answering “does aloe vera gel expire” before application, you safeguard skin.
Hi, I'm Naznin! I really love making skin happy. I learned cool stuff about skincare and want to share it with you! Together, let's explore how to take care of our skin and feel awesome. Join me on this fun journey where we can be our beautiful selves!