DIY Aloe and Lavender Hand Gel - Alcohol-Free Moisturizing Recipe

This aloe and lavender hand gel is a light, alcohol-free gel that softens and refreshes dry hands without feeling greasy. It takes just a few minutes to make with aloe vera gel, a little jojoba oil, and lavender and tea tree essential oils. Jump to the recipe.

Why Aloe Vera Makes a Great Hand Gel

Aloe vera gel is silky, lightweight and absorbs quickly, so your hands feel soft without leaving fingerprints on your phone or keyboard. It's perfect for a desk, classroom, car or nightstand. Learn more in my guide to aloe vera for skin.

Choose a liquid aloe gel rather than a thick "jelly" so it pumps easily. Look for one that is mostly pure aloe, with no added color or fragrance. A store-bought gel that already contains a gentle preservative will keep your hand gel fresh much longer. Here is my favorite brand of aloe vera gel (affiliate link) for this recipe.

Aloe and Lavender Hand Gel Recipe

Makes one 8 oz pump bottle. This recipe is about a 1% dilution, which is a comfortable everyday strength for adult hands.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (240 ml) aloe vera gel
• 2 teaspoons jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil
• 24 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 24 drops tea tree essential oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
• 8 oz glass or PET pump bottle
• Small funnel

Directions

Step 1: In a small bowl, mix the lavender and tea tree essential oils into the jojoba oil. Essential oils don't mix with water-based aloe gel on their own, so this step helps them spread evenly.

Step 2: Using a funnel, pour the aloe vera gel into your pump bottle.

Step 3: Add the oil mixture, cap the bottle and shake well to blend. Label your hand gel with the ingredients and the date you made it.

To use: Shake well, then pump a small amount into your palm and rub it over your hands until absorbed.

More Hand Gel Scent Ideas

Swap the lavender and tea tree for one of these blends. Keep the total at 48 drops per cup of aloe gel.

• Sweet Citrus: 30 drops sweet orange + 18 drops lavender
• Calm and Cozy: 24 drops lavender + 16 drops cedarwood + 8 drops frankincense
• Fresh Garden: 24 drops geranium + 24 drops lavender

Skip cold-pressed bergamot, lime, lemon and grapefruit in hand products. They can cause a sunburn-like reaction when your hands are in the sun. See my guide to photosensitive essential oils.

Tips for Making DIY Hand Gel

• Shelf life: Water-based recipes like this one can grow mold or bacteria. If you use a preserved, store-bought aloe gel, make a fresh bottle about once a month. If you use fresh aloe from the plant, keep it in the fridge and use it within a week.
• Keep it clean: Wash and dry your bottle and funnel well before you start.
• Watch for changes: Throw it out if it smells sour, changes color or looks cloudy or moldy.
• Use quality oils: Fresh, pure essential oils are less likely to irritate skin. Old tea tree oil in particular can cause skin reactions, so check out my guide to expired essential oils.

Safety Tips

• Patch test a small amount on your inner arm first. See my skin patch test guide.
• Kids: For children ages 2 to 6, make a gentler version with just 12 drops of lavender per cup of aloe gel and skip the tea tree. Store all essential oil products out of reach of children.
• Keep away from eyes, and don't use it on cracked or broken skin.
• Stop using it if you notice redness, itching or a rash.

For more, see my essential oil safety tips and guide to diluting essential oils.

Final Thoughts

This simple aloe and lavender hand gel is an easy way to keep dry hands soft and smelling lovely. Keep a bottle by the sink, in your bag or on your desk, and remember: soap and water first, then a little gel to soothe.

More Aloe and DIY Recipes

• Aloe Vera for Skin: Benefits, How to Use It & DIY Recipes
• Can You Mix Lavender Oil with Aloe Vera Gel?
• Foaming Lime Aloe Soap Recipe
• Carrier Oils for Essential Oils

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