3-Ingredient Aloe Vera Salve Recipe -

Learn the benefits of using a homemade burn salve, including a super simple aloe vera salve recipe!

Aloe vera has been used for centuries as a healing and soothing plant. The gel inside the leaves contains over 75 active ingredients including vitamins, minerals, enzymes, sugars, lignin, saponins, and salicylic acids.

This rich combination of nutrients provides aloe vera with antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for skin care.

One of the best ways to harness the benefits of aloe vera is in an aloe vera salve.

We made our aloe vera salve recipe for wounds this summer, mainly for sunburns, but we found it is so helpful for so many skin conditions, it is now an all-year staple in our home!

Aloe salves are easy to make at home, allowing you to control the quality of ingredients. They are also affordable and versatile, making aloe vera accessible for minor burns, cuts, rashes, and dry skin.

So, here is your guide on how to make your very own aloe vera salve with this sunburn salve recipe!

Benefits of Aloe Vera Salve

Here are just a few of the all the incredible aloe vera salve benefits:

Soothes burns – Aloe contains cooling properties that provide relief when applied to minor burns, sunburns, and heat rashes. The salve creates a protective barrier to prevent infection. That is why it is the perfect salve for sunburns.
Heals cuts and wounds – Aloe vera contains vitamins and minerals that facilitate wound healing. It also stimulates circulation to the area for faster healing.
Moisturizes dry skin – The oils and waxes provide intense hydration while the aloe vera nourishes skin. This helps treat flakiness and itchiness.
Reduces acne and inflammation – Aloe vera’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help treat breakouts and redness when used regularly. We use it on our face all the time and even use the aloe vera powder in a face mask.
Fades stretch marks and scars – Collagen-boosting in aloe may help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and scarring over time.
Soothes rashes and skin irritations – From eczema to poison ivy, aloe vera can help provide relief from itchy, inflamed, and angry skin.
Treats radiation dermatitis – Studies show aloe vera effective in treating skin damage from radiation treatments too.

Best Aloe Vera Salve Recipe

Here is a simple aloe vera ointment recipe to follow to make your own!

Ingredients

~ ½ cup aloe vera powder
~ 1 ¼ cup avocado oil
2 ½ tablespoons beeswax pellets
Essential oils (optional)

Instructions

Add the aloe vera powder to a glass jar and cover it completely with avocado oil. You will have to wait until the powder completely soaks up all the oil.

Put a lid on your jar and store for a few weeks in a dark cabinet. Shake every couple of days to keep everything submerged.

Strain the aloe vera powder with an unbleached coffee filter.

Then, combine the beeswax and the infused oil into a glass container and heat up in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until it is completely melted. Stir in between each 30 seconds.

Pour into your tins. Allow them to sit uncovered for a few hours until they are fully hard.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 6 to 8 ounces of salve.
The salve can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
To speed up the infusion process, you can heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24-48 hours.
To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and let it cool. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it’s too hard, add more oil.
I used aloe vera powder instead of aloe vera gel. But you can use the gel too! Here is a simple recipe for after sun salve that uses aloe vera gel.
This can work for an aloe vera lotion bar recipe too. You might want to add more beeswax though!

Ways to Use Aloe Vera Salve

Here are some of the top ways to use an aloe vera salve:

On minor burns, sunburns, or heat rashes to soothe and cool skin. Apply a thin layer to the affected area.
On cuts, scrapes or wounds to promote healing. The antibacterial properties help prevent infection.
On dry, flaky or cracked skin and heels to deeply moisturize.
On eczema, psoriasis and rashes to reduce inflammation and provide relief from itching.
On acne, zits and breakouts to reduce redness and inflammation.
To help fade scars and stretch marks when used consistently over time.
On wind burned or chapped lips as a healing balm. Provides moisture and prevents cracking.

On hands to soothe dry, cracked skin and cuticles. Especially useful in dry winter months.
On cold sores and fever blisters to ease swelling, tingling and pain.
On insect bites and stings to reduce swelling, itching and discomfort.
To moisturize and soothe skin after shaving. Helps prevent razor burn and bumps.
To soften dry elbows, knees and feet and prevent painful cracking.
As a massage salve to provide soothing relief to sore muscles and joints.
As an overnight skin treatment to hydrate and nourish skin while you sleep.

Aloe Vera Salve

Materials

~ ½ cup aloe vera powder
~ 1 ¼ cup avocado oil
2 ½ tablespoons beeswax pellets
Essential oils (optional)

Instructions

Add the aloe vera powder to a glass jar and cover it completely with avocado oil. You will have to wait until the powder completely soaks up all the oil.
Put a lid on your jar and store for a few weeks in a dark cabinet. Shake every couple of days to keep everything submerged.
Strain the aloe vera powder with an unbleached coffee filter.
Then, combine the beeswax and the infused oil into a glass container and heat up in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until it is completely melted. Stir in between each 30 seconds.
Pour into your tins. Allow them to sit uncovered for a few hours until they are fully hard.

Notes

This recipe yields approximately 6 to 8 ounces of salve.
The salve can be stored in a cool, dry place for up to six months.
To speed up the infusion process, you can heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24-48 hours.
To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and let it cool. If it's too soft, add more beeswax; if it's too hard, add more oil.
I used aloe vera powder instead of aloe vera gel.
This can work for an aloe vera lotion bar recipe too. You might want to add more beeswax though!

Homemade Aloe Vera Lotion Recipe FAQs

Can you use aloe vera in a salve?

Yes! You can use either aloe vera gel or aloe vera powder in a homemade salve. This recipe uses aloe vera powder, as I found it easier to make and use.

How do you make the perfect salve?

Making the perfect homemade salve is adding the right amount of beeswax to your oil. I find that about 2 tablespoons of beeswax for every cup of oil is the perfect mixture for me! It is not too soft, but not too hard either.

All Natural Aloe Vera Salve Wrap-Up

Now that you know how to make a homemade salve with aloe vera, whip up your own batch of aloe vera salve to keep on hand for life’s little skin irritations and discomforts.

Your skin will thank you for this natural, nourishing remedy straight from the plant world. Use it not only for sunburns, but for keeping your skin healthy in the winter time too!

3-Ingredient Aloe Vera Salve Recipe

Benefits of Aloe Vera Salve