With all that said, the real issue is not necessarily the juice versus the gel, the bottom line is that they both give exactly the same benefits when used in your hair. What you have to consider before purchasing is what you are going to use it for.
If you are looking to make your own spritz for you hair then the juice would be the sensible option. On the other hand if you want to use it added to your deep conditioner* then the gel would make more sense because its less likely to make your conditioner too runny.
So rather than put the juice up against the gel, the real issue is the juice and gel in their purest form versus what you actually get commercially.
There is no denying that packaging the product will come with some additives for preservation and so not only does that impact the product itself but also how it would perform on your hair versus if you just picked the leaf from a plant that you had at home.
Even though something might be marketed as a 100% pure, it is highly unlikely that it is since it would mean that the extract would never last more than a couple of days sitting on a shelf for us to use whenever we please. Obviously something was added to prevent it from going bad.
If you are interested in producing your own Aloe Vera, it really is as easy as just getting the seeds or a part of an existing plant, going outside and planting it yourself in a place where it can get plenty of sunlight. There are a ton of resources online that can guide you on how to do just that. When the plant is mature just hack a leaf off whenever you please for fresh aloe vera juice* or gel!
2 great ways to incorporate the gel and juice into your regimen
1. Pre Poo treatment
1/2 cup of Aloe Juice or Gel mixed with 1-2 table spoons of your favorite oil. Section the hair and apply the mix to each section prior to shampooing, leave on for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as normal
2 tablespoons of your preferred leave in conditioner* / moisturizer (silicone free)
2 tablespoons of aloe vera juice*
2 teaspoons of clear castor oil*
2 teaspoons of Jojoba Oil*
You can make enough to last you a couple of uses, just keep it in the fridge to preserve it. You hair loves cold product anyway. Well that’s all folks comment below and let us know if aloe vera is a significant part of your regimen and which do you prefer?
Panama M America says
leaf.
Vineice Mitchell says
I use the real deal every week. The leaf….hands up!
Robin Levine-Grice says
Aloe Vera gel every day.
Ophelia Robinson says
I use the leaf it’s very good to drink…
Oksana Raymond says
Gel
Taleah Church says
both
Roneisha Monae says
The gel similar to the one in this picture. I can’t deal with the smell of the plant.
Ntombi Mabuyandile Mabuya Mtimande says
Aloe vera gel.
Kishori Love says
Both!!! LOVE it!
Ishia Chenault says
Juice…..I like my stuff COMPLETLY natural!!!
Tiffany Birch says
Juice
Ruth Dyson says
I use both. The liquid when I do the LOC method and the gel from my plant on my skin and sometimes my hair. My plant isn’t that big so I can’t use it that much, yet.
Angela Wilkerson says
The Juice!!! Mix with water and use as a morning toner after cleansing my face . It’s refreshing!!!!!
April Avery-Dennard says
I just posted that! It really works well.
Pamela Smith says
I use the gel as a styler because stuff like eco styler is too heavy for my hair. I mix aloe juice, water and glycerin together to use as a spray to wet my hair.
Malakah Angellia Gladston says
The gel is more potent. What’s the point of using something if you’re not gonna get the full benefits? What’s inside the plant is GEL. They extracted a lot of things from it in order to make it into juice
Von says
Just the opposite. They ADD a lot in commercial gel. Unless you are using the one that needs to be refrigerated (which is more of a pulp than a gel), it has a bunch of unnatural additives. There is also way more juice than gel in the plant. I make my own aloe gel. I blend and strain the inside of the plant. It turns completely liquid. That mucilage is not what gives it its properties, it it just as nourishing and humectant for your hair with it broken down. But I do “re-gel” it with a mucilage gel made from slippery elm, marshmallow root, and fenugreek boil. I have to keep it refrigerated. Best nourishing, humectant gel i have ever had. My hair is so silky, moisturized, and the length retention/lack of shedding is amazing.
Theresa Crawford says
http://www.georgesaloe.com
This is the best………
April Avery-Dennard says
Aloe Vera juice for me! I also mix 50/50(water) to go on my face after I wash it to add moisture! My skins hasn’t looked this good in years!
Courtney Gray says
I prefer gel in my hair. Light weight products never work out for me
Cee Cee Hye says
Mix with rose water to make an awesome toner.
Esther Whoknow says
I prefer Lily of the desert Aloe vera gel 🙂
Cae Garcia says
Where do I get the Juice from
DeLindia DeeDee Goodine says
Cvs has it
Cae Garcia says
Oh ok thank you
Emprex Esperanza Mawusi says
is it good to use it raw in natural hair?
Kim Jay says
I absolutely love that aloe vera gel. I’ve been using it to moisturize my face for several years now and also to slick down my hair when I still had a relaxer.
Krista Tyler says
We love the juice to refresh and detangle at our house!