• A clean cutting board
• A sharp knife
• An aloe plant
• A sterile glass jar
• Fresh lemon juice
• A food processor (optional)

Instructions:

Cleanliness: It's important to keep your hands and work surface clean to prevent bacterial contamination

Choose leaves that are mature, thick, fleshy and a deep green in color: The leaves should be at least 4-6 inches long. The oldest and largest outermost leaves near the bottom of the plant are The best to use as they contain a thick layer of gel.

Cut the leaves: Use a clean, sharp knife to cut the leaf from the plant, being sure not to harm the stem of the plant, itself.

Rinse the outer skin of the leaves and knife: Wash the leaves and place them in a bowl, cut side down, at a 45 degree angle for about 15 minutes. This is an essential step as it will drain the sap, which is very sticky.

Remove the serrated edges and skin carefully: Carefully remove the skin around the perimeter, leaving the top and bottom layer of skin. Then, run the knife under the top layer and peel away. Do the same on the other side.

Remove the gel from each leaf and place it in a sterilized jar: Pour the lemon juice over the gel and shake the jar to coat equally.

Pour the gel into a food processor and make a smooth gel: Keep the gel in a sealed jar in your refrigerator and keep for up to one week.