Aloe vera is a plant that’s been used medicinally for thousands of years.
Its gel, which comes from the leaves of the aloe vera plant, can be used topically to treat minor burns, cuts, and sunburns.
However, you may have noticed that some bottles of aloe vera gel seem to go bad after just a few months.
If this happens to you—and you’re wondering how long aloe vera last?—here are some tips on how to tell if your aloe vera has expired:
How Can You Tell if Aloe Vera is Expired?
The most obvious way to determine if your aloe vera is expired is by checking the expiration date.
Look for a stamp or sticker near the bottom of the bottle that indicates when it was bottled and at what temperature.
The paste should be completely clear and have no sediment in it.
If it has an off-color or smell, then it’s time to pitch it out!
If you don’t have access to an expiration date but want to check if your aloe vera has gone bad, there are some other ways you can test this yourself:
- Check if there is sediment at the bottom of your bottle (the clear part).
If there is any, then this means that something went wrong during manufacturing process and now there are microorganisms growing inside your product that will make you sick when consumed!
- Smell
Most people think this one doesn’t work but I swear by my nose so believe me when I say that if something smells funky then chances are good that something also tastes funky too 🙂
Can You Still Use Expired Aloe Vera Gel?
As a general rule, you should avoid using any product after its expiration date.
However, aloe vera gel is not like milk or meat and does not spoil easily.
If you have an expired batch of aloe vera gel lying around your home, there’s no reason why you can’t use it to make a healing skin salve for yourself or your family.
If you’re still unsure about the quality of your aloe vera gel, here are some ways to determine whether or not it’s expired:
Does Bottled Aloe Vera Gel Expire?
One thing to keep in mind is that bottled aloe vera gel is not as high quality as fresh aloe vera gel.
This means it may contain preservatives, which can make it last longer.
However, these preservatives can make the gel less effective and potentially harmful to your health.
When using bottled aloe vera gel, try to find one that doesn’t contain any additives or preservatives at all!
How Long Does Aloe Vera Gel Last Once Opened?
- Keep aloe vera gel refrigerated.
If you live in a place where the temperatures are consistently above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, store your aloe vera gel in the refrigerator to ensure its longevity.
- Keep it out of direct sunlight
Aloe vera gel should not be exposed to direct sunlight or any other heat source (like your car dashboard).
It’s best to keep it away from heat sources altogether if possible.
- Keep that lid on tight
Use up some of the aloe vera gel before refilling it with more product and closing it back up with its lid if you don’t use it regularly.
Otherwise, the product can go bad when exposed to air over time because there is no protection from air exposure after opening the container or cap of an empty container!
So always remember: keep that lid on tight!
How Long Does Pure Aloe Vera Last?
This can range from 1-2 years but can be as short as 6 months depending on how well it’s stored and used.
Keep in mind that once opened, most bottles will last about 6 months before losing their potency and effectiveness.
How Do You Keep Aloe Vera Gel for a Long Time?
Aloe vera gel can last for up to two years.
However, it’s important to keep the gel in a cool, dark place and out of direct sunlight.
The best way to do this is by keeping it in a closed container (like a jar with a lid) and storing it in the refrigerator if possible.
If you don’t have access to a refrigerator but want to extend its lifespan beyond four months or so, simply store your aloe vera gel in the back of your freezer.
If you keep your aloe vera gel stored properly, its shelf life will be extended significantly.
However, even if you forget about yours for too long or misplace it so that it freezes solid (which won’t happen unless there’s no air movement whatsoever), don’t throw away what might still be good!
Just thaw out some ice cubes from your freezer before using them as an exfoliant on any dry patches on your skin: they’ll act as natural mini-scrubs when rubbed over problem areas like elbows and knees!
Final Thoughts
By now, we hope we have answered your questions about how to tell if aloe vera gel is expired.
We know that it can be very frustrating when you buy something and then realize that it has gone bad before you even had a chance to use it.
But as long as you take care of your products properly and keep them out of heat or direct sunlight, they should last for years!
If there are still any questions left unanswered from this article please feel free to leave them below in the comments section below.
