Do Aloe Vera Gel Expire? Aloe vera gel has become increasingly popular, with many people using it as a beauty product to tighten pores and reduce the signs of aging. As such, there has been increase attention on whether or not aloe vera gel can expire. This blog post will discuss what aloe vera gel is and what expiration standards are for it.
Aloe Vera Gel is an herb that has been traditionally use in folk medicine for centuries. Generally accept estimates suggest that there are over 300 species of Aloe Vera in the world, but only three species (A. barbadensis, A. vera and A.
Shelf Life for Raw Aloe Vera Products
According to the FDA, raw aloe vera products can last anywhere from one month to six months.
Shelf Life for Aloe Vera Drinks and Gels
Aloe vera drinks and gels typically have a shelf life of one year before they expire. This estimate is also support by the Aloe Science Council. However, it should note that these products can last up to two years if they are kept in optimal conditions such as a fridge or freezer.
Pre-Prepared Aloe Vera Products
Pre-prepared aloe vera products like aloe vera juice and aloe vera gel typically have a shelf life of two years. This estimation is also supported by the Aloe Science Council.
Aloe Vera and Creams
Some creams contain aloe vera extract, which means that at least some portion of the cream will expire if you do not keep it properly refrigerated. The shelf life for these creams can anywhere between one month to three months before they expire.
Typically, the expiration date on Aloe Vera gels or drinks will printed either on the bottle or in the ingredients listed on it.
Aloe Vera Gel
Do Aloe Vera Gel Expire? The shelf life for aloe vera gel is usually one year, although it can last up to two years if the bottle is kept in a cool, dark place such as a fridge or freezer.
The Aloe Science Council offers an expiration date by which you can determine whether or not the aloe vera gel you are trying to use still has any shelf life left. The Aloe Science Council recommends that you test the gel once every five years after opening it.
Prepackaged Aloe Vera Products
Prepackaged aloe vera products like aloe vera juice and aloe vera gel should have their expiration dates on the label or inside of the packaging.
Shelf-Life for Pre-Prepared Aloe Vera Gel
Most pre-prepared aloe vera products like aloe vera juice and aloe vera gel typically have a shelf life of two to three years before they expire. This estimate is also support by the Aloe Science Council. However, it should note that some aloe vera gel can last up to two years if it is stored properly in the freezer or refrigerator.
Shelf Life for Aloe Vera Beverages
Alcoholic beverages from aloe vera, such as aloe vera juice and liqueurs, typically have a shelf life of 1 to 3 months before they expire. However, if you store these products in the freezer or refrigerator, then they will last up to 6 months.
Aloe Vera Juice
Aloe vera juice is often sold as a health drink. It is from aloe vera gel and water, and sometimes other ingredients such as sugar or flavorings. Aloe vera juice has a shelf life of one year before it expires. The expiration date for aloe vera juice will printed on the label.
If you want to keep the shelf life of aloe vera juice longer than one year, then you should store it in a dark, cool place like the refrigerator or freezer.
Aloe Vera Juice Drinks
Aloe Vera Juice Drinks are from the same ingredients as aloe vera juice but with added ingredients like preservatives and flavorings. These drinks have a shelf life of six months before they expire.
Aloe vera juice soft drinks contain aloe vera juice that is mix with other ingredients like preservatives, flavorings, and sweeteners. Aloe vera soft drinks have a shelf life of three to six months before they expire. It should note that the edible aloe vera plants (such as aloe vera gel) are believe to have health benefits, but there is debate over whether these extend shelf life estimates allow for the potential health benefits of aloe vera plants to present in the final product.
Shelf Life of a Bottle of Aloe Vera Juice
Alcoholic beverages from aloe vera, such as aloe vera juice and liqueurs, can have a shelf life of 1 to 3 months before they expire. However, if you store these products in the freezer or refrigerator, then they will last up to 6 months.
What is the “Expiration” Date on an Aloe Vera Product?
The “expiration” date that is mention on most aloe vera products does not mean that the product will expire and become useless immediately. Rather it indicates that the product has either been manufacture incorrectly or that it has expire from being left out at room temperature for too long.
Maximizing the Freshness of Aloe Vera Leaves
You can store aloe vera leaves in your refrigerator for up to a week if you don’t want to extract the gel from the leaves. If you don’t want to extract the gel from your leaves, you can wrap them in a damp towel and leave them there in your refrigerator. The leaves should last for up to eight months when placed in a freezer bag and kept in the freezer.
For more information on how to maintain fresh aloe vera products, you should read this article about storing fresh aloe vera gel and leaves.
What Are the Signs That Aloe Vera Gel Has Gone Bad?
As a registered nutritionist and dietitian in Austin Texas, Laura Krebs-Holm, MS/RD/LD, is a medical advisor to Medi health. She explained, “aloe is a plant, and just like other fruits and vegetables, the gel may turn cloudy and have an unpleasant odor” if it has gone bad. As for freshly harvest aloe leaves, she said that fresh aloe leaves wilt, get wet, smell bad, and become sludge-like. Once they have expired, mold can begin to grow on them. Aloe vera juice also passes through this lifecycle, becoming discolored and developing a foul odor once it has expired.
If Aloe Vera Gel is Expire, what happens?
It is very important not to consume expired aloe vera products. Laura Krebs-Holm, a registered nutritionist, warns that applying (expired aloe gel) to the body can cause irritation, rashes, or even serious reactions.
A toxic mold and mildew spore can make consumers very sick if they consume expired aloe vera leaves or juice. Aloe vera products should treated the same way as expired food products.
So do aloe vera gel expire? Sadly, yes. Although, as we have discussed, aloe vera products have a long shelf life, there are several clever tricks and techniques you can use.