Clean Beauty Tips & Techniques How to Make an Aloe Vera Face Mask By Maria Marabito Maria Marabito LinkedIn Twitter Writer West Chester University Maria Marabito is a writer who specializes in sustainable travel, green living, and food issues. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from West Chester University. Learn about our editorial process Updated July 6, 2021 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan University of Tennessee Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and expert on climate change. Learn about our fact checking process Share Twitter Pinterest Email Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura Clean Beauty Products Tips & Techniques Overview Working Time: 3 - 5 minutes Total Time: 15 - 20 minutes Yield: 1 face mask Skill Level: Beginner Estimated Cost: $0 to $15 A homemade aloe vera mask is the perfect way to rejuvenate your skin with ingredients found in your kitchen or garden. A 2016 study found that, when used topically, aloe vera stimulates collagen and hyaluronic acid production, improving skin moisture and elasticity. Aloe vera has a long history as a skin treatment. In fact, queens Nefertiti and Cleopatra reportedly used aloe vera in their daily beauty regimes. Luckily for us, adopting this royal beauty treatment is simple, affordable, and all-natural. Here's how to make your own aloe vera face mask. What You'll Need Equipment/Tools 1 Sharp knife 1 Measuring spoons 1 Mixing spoon 1 Small bowl 1 Towel Ingredients 2 tsp aloe vera 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp organic honey Instructions Cut Your Aloe Vera Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura If you are sourcing your aloe from your own aloe vera plant, cut an older-looking leaf off as close to the base of the plant as possible. Then, cut a 3-inch portion off to use for your mask. You can place the rest in a container and store it in the freezer for later use. Choosing Aloe Vera Fresh aloe vera is ideal and has many different uses besides helping your skin glow. It can be used as a mouthwash and a treatment for heartburn, bug bites, and warts—to name just a few common uses of aloe vera. The plant itself has also been known to have air-purifying qualities. If you are buying a pre-cut aloe leaf, choose a thick, smooth leaf with little to no marks on it. Ones with no blemishes are the healthiest. If you are buying processed aloe vera from the store, inspect the label before purchasing. You want pure aloe vera (it should be listed as the first ingredient). Collect the Aloe Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura Use a sharp knife to open the piece lengthwise and scrape with the knife or spoon. Squeeze and scrape the aloe vera liquid out of the leaf piece into a bowl. If you are using store-bought aloe vera, measure out 2 teaspoons and add them to a bowl. Add Other Ingredients and Mix Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura Squeeze a fresh lemon and add one teaspoon of lemon juice to your aloe. Measure one teaspoon of organic honey and add it to your mixture. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients together. Apply Your Face Mask Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura On a clean, dry face, apply the mask mixture with your fingers. Leave the mask on for about 10 minutes. Place a towel around your shoulders in case any of the mixture starts to drip from your face. Wash It Off Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura Wash the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry with the towel. Variations Treehugger / Alexandra Cristina Nakamura Aloe vera can be applied to the skin alone for sunburn and inflammation relief or it can be combined with different ingredients for other topical benefits: Aloe vera and rose water (for marks and burns). Aloe vera, turmeric, honey, and rose water (for glowing skin). Aloe vera and mashed banana (to hydrate and moisturize irritated skin). Aloe vera and an egg (to firm and nourish skin). Aloe vera, shea butter, and olive oil (to moisturize skin and prevent breakouts). Aloe vera and brown sugar (for an exfoliation treatment). Frequently Asked Questions What is the right consistency for an aloe vera face mask? An aloe vera face mask should have a spreadable, jelly-like consistency. If your mask is too runny, add more honey to thicken it. If your mask is too thick and difficult to spread, add more aloe vera to thin it. How often should you use an aloe vera face mask? You can use an aloe vera face mask every day. If your skin becomes irritated, use less lemon juice or apply the mask less frequently. Can you leave aloe vera on your face overnight? Pure aloe vera can be left on your face overnight—you can replace your regular moisturizer with it. An aloe vera face mask with other ingredients, on the other hand, should not be left on for more than 15 minutes. If left on too long, the extra ingredients can cause irritation to the skin. View Article Sources Tanaka, M., et al. "Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score: A 12-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial." Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, vol. 29, 2016, pp. 309-317., doi:10.1159/000454718 Surjushe, Amar, et al. "Aloe Vera: A Short Review." Indian Journal of Dermatology, vol. 53, no. 4, 2008, pp. 163-166., doi:10.4103/0019-5154.44785 View Article Sources Tanaka, M., et al. "Effects of Aloe Sterol Supplementation on Skin Elasticity, Hydration, and Collagen Score: A 12-Week Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial." Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, vol. 29, 2016, pp. 309-317., doi:10.1159/000454718 Surjushe, Amar, et al. "Aloe Vera: A Short Review." Indian Journal of Dermatology, vol. 53, no. 4, 2008, pp. 163-166., doi:10.4103/0019-5154.44785