I use this aloe aftershave lotion recipe more and more, so I decided to post it here (bringing it out of hiding from my journal  :D)

Aloe Aftershave Lotion

1/2 cup aloe vera gel
1 TBSP witch hazel
1 1/2 TBSP distilled water
eo's of choice

Mix well.

I use this as a scalp massage and it helps cut the oiliness of my scalp; it helps dry up breakouts as well.  The added water and witch hazel keep it from tightening so it doesn't make my hair crunchy or stiff.  I've also used it as a moisturizer.  I like to use a small blob with 1-2 drops of tea tree oil for my face; it helps keep down the zits.

Oooh, great recipe.  I've been using a half aloe/half witch hazel mixture for the daily moisterizing of my face, but I just threw it together as an experiment.  Nice to have some measurements and to know that it works for other folks too.

Nice idea, I'll have to pick some of those things up and give it a try myself. I'll let you know how it goes.

I would love to try this recipe, is the aloe gel store bought or straight from the plant?  I've got two large aloe plants, wonder if I can use those?  I use a mixture of tea tree oil and lavender for zits, works great, tea tree oil straight tends to be a bit strong, so the lavender helps to soothe.

Careful with aloe plants.  I used to have one and my cat ate it.  I'm not sure if all cats are attracted to the plant or mine is just quite strange!

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2005 at 3:23pm:

I would love to try this recipe, is the aloe gel store bought or straight from the plant?

I get mine from the store :)  I make a sort of big mixture at one time, so I don't know how far you could get with using a plant.

I finally tried this, well actually a variation of this...because I did not write this down, I just went from memory.  I came sorta close and it works really well, so I'm going try the ACTUAL recipe now!  I squeezed some juice from my aloe plant - about a tbsp - and added about 3 tbsp of witch hazel, I also threw in a few drops of tea tree and lavender oil.  I tried it on my face first after showering, it left my face feeling moisturized and refreshed, did not feel funny on my skin at all.  Today I tried it after shaving on my legs, and for the first time, they are not itching like crazy!  The only problem I'm seeing with the way I made it is that there is now a brown blob developing in the bottle, the mixture is a few days old now, I guess it's the aloe gel that's turning.  I'll chuck this and try a new mixture with 13bodies' measurements, we'll see how that goes.  But, I must say that I am impressed with it so far - thanks 13b!

After work last night, I toted myself down to the local drug store with the intentions of picking up a bottle of aloe gel to re-try the recipe.  Well, I did get the gel...and a new shampoo...and a new conditioner...and a new lip gloss.  Like I really NEED another lipgloss, such little self control when surrounded by pretty, shiny, good-smelly things!  Anyhow...I tried the recipe as written, and love it, love it, love it!  It is totally fabulous on my skin, I think I will be hooked on this now.  It's funny, I've tried SO MANY different skin/face products, all with the mentality of "if it costs more it must be better", and what I've come back to is the simplest, most natural and cost-effective ingredients.  How ironic!  This is not to say that I will never be entranced into buying another expensive junk product, but I have learned a lesson!  My official thumbs up on this recipe!  ;D

Maggie  LOL, I use to work in a drugstore that sold make up and skin care and I know what you mean about "if it costs more it must be better".  I would always try to find the customer a cost effecive product, even when my boss was pushing a 80 dollar product that day for us to sell ( they hated me for this).  I know how hard it is to walk past all that eye candy, heck I was in there yesterday and saw some Hello Kitty lip balm and lost control!!  But I digress.. natural products and ones we make at home are better for us.  I noticed a marked imporvement in my own skin with home made treatments. :D

Just an update on my "new" aloe discovery, I'm still using this concoction and still loving it.  I even made some and gave it to family members to try, I haven't asked them how they like it yet, but I'll find out.  I have since replaced using lotion on my legs after shaving with using either this recipe or just straight aloe gel, it makes my skin soooo soft, I can't believe I never thought of aloe before.  I want to try it in my hair, but am not sure of how the results will be.  If you use the straight gel for styling, does it soak in or does it leave your hair sticky or crunchy?  I haven't had time to experiment with this yet...but I will!  Maybe some of you have tried this?

The aloe you all use, is it the Gel (like hair gel) or gel-liquid? Because I have some Aloe vera gel-liquid. Sounds like a oxymoron to me. Anyway, which do you all use? If it's the gel-gel, do you think the gel-liquid would work too?  ???I'm confusing myself hope I don't anyone else ??? LOL

The stuff I use is just gel, it is the consistency of hair gel.  The bottle says 100%  pure aloe gel, no coloring added, it was about $8 for the bottle.  I think as long as it is a pure product it will work just as well.  Give it a try & see!  :D

I use aloe gel for fly-away control.  No stickiness or crunchiness.  It isn't a hard-core hair gel i.e. you can't do ribbon curls or spikes with it.

Some longhairs mix it with a little jojoba oil to get a nice shine.

Since I think recipes are awesome, I want to try this one!!! but im kinda confuse, what witch hazel??? Also if this helps with the breakages, it will be awesome, those this also help to mostizuries?

Witch hazel can usually be found in the skin care area of your drug store or health and beauty department.

Ohhhh thank you very much
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