Table of Contents
Updated November 2026
Yes, you can mix lavender oil with aloe vera gel. It makes a light, cooling gel that's lovely after too much sun, after shaving, on bug bites, or on dry hands. Keep it gentle: use 1 to 3 drops of lavender per tablespoon of aloe gel, and mix the lavender into a little carrier oil first so it spreads evenly.
Below, I'll show you how to mix them, how many drops to use, four easy recipes (including an alcohol-free hand gel), and how to store your gel so it stays fresh. For more lavender ideas, see my full lavender essential oil guide. Jump to the recipes.
Why Lavender and Aloe Vera Work Well Together
Aloe vera gel is cooling, hydrating, and light, so it absorbs quickly without feeling greasy. Learn more in my guide to aloe vera for skin.
Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia) is easy on skin, with a soft, calming floral scent. It's a favorite in after-sun and skin care blends. Make sure you're using true lavender, not lavandin or spike lavender, which are stronger. See my guide to types of lavender oil.
Together, they make a simple, soothing gel for:
- Skin that feels warm after a little too much sun
- Freshly shaved legs or underarms (once any stinging has passed)
- Bug bites
- Dry, tight skin on hands, elbows, and feet
- A relaxing bedtime hand or foot rub
How to Mix Lavender Oil with Aloe Vera Gel
Essential oils don't dissolve in water-based gels like aloe. If you drop lavender straight into aloe, it can pool in little droplets, so some spots end up much stronger than others. This simple method fixes that:
- Measure your aloe gel into a clean glass jar or bowl.
- Mix the lavender into a carrier oil first. Add your drops to about ¼ to ½ teaspoon of jojoba, fractionated coconut, or sweet almond oil.
- Stir the oil mixture into the aloe gel until it looks evenly blended.
- Label and store it in the fridge, and give it a quick stir or shake before each use.
If you make a lot of gel recipes, a solubilizer (like polysorbate 20) blends essential oils into water-based products even more evenly. For small batches, a little carrier oil works well.
Choosing an Aloe Gel
Choose a liquid aloe gel rather than a thick "jelly" so it mixes and pumps easily. Look for one that's mostly pure aloe, with no added color or fragrance. A store-bought gel that already contains a gentle preservative keeps your recipes fresh much longer.
How Many Drops of Lavender Per Tablespoon of Aloe?
Use this chart to keep your gel gentle.
| Aloe vera gel | Gentle (0.5%): face, sun-warmed skin, kids 2 to 4 | Everyday (1%): hands and body, kids 5 to 11 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 tablespoon (15 ml) | 1 to 2 drops | 3 drops |
| 2 tablespoons (30 ml) | 3 drops | 6 drops |
| ¼ cup (60 ml) | 6 drops | 12 drops |
| 1 cup (240 ml) | 24 drops | 48 drops |
For more about dilution, see my dilution chart and calculator.
A Few Safety Basics
• Patch test a new gel on your inner forearm and wait 24 to 48 hours. See my skin patch test guide.
• Use these gels only on unbroken skin. Don't use them on blistered sunburn, deep cuts, burns, or infected skin. See a doctor instead.
• No essential oils for babies under 2. Kids 2 to 4 use 0.5% with the six starter oils, after checking with your pediatrician, and kids 5 to 11 use up to 1%.
• If you're pregnant, check with your doctor or midwife first. For the first 16 weeks I use only six oils, and only in a diffuser or inhaler: lavender, sweet orange, lemon, ginger, cedarwood (Virginian), and frankincense. After that, skin blends stay at 0.5 to 1%.
• Keep away from eyes, wash your hands after applying to others, and store jars where pets and little hands can't reach them.
• Never swallow essential oils. If someone does, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
4 Easy Lavender Aloe Vera Gel Recipes
| Recipe | Use | Ages |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Lavender Aloe After-Sun Gel | Sun-warmed skin | 2+ |
| Bug Bite Aloe | Small spots | 2+ |
| Relaxing Lavender Aloe Hand and Foot Gel | Bedtime rub | 5+ |
| Aloe and Lavender Hand Gel | Dry hands, every day | 2+ |
Recipes 1 to 3 have no preservative, so make small batches, keep them in the fridge, and use them within about a week.
1. Cooling Lavender Aloe After-Sun Gel
Gel · Ages 2+ · 3 drops in 2 Tbsp (0.5%)
A light gel for skin that's had a little too much sun. Chill it in the fridge for extra cooling.
- 3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- ½ tsp jojoba or fractionated coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp (30 ml) aloe vera gel
Directions: Mix the lavender into the jojoba, then stir it into the aloe. Smooth a thin layer over sun-warmed skin as needed. For more after-sun ideas, try my aloe vera ice cubes and lavender oil for sunburn recipes.
Note: Only on unbroken skin, never on blisters.
2. Bug Bite Aloe
Gel · Ages 2+ · 1 to 3 drops in 1 Tbsp (0.5 to 1%)
Keep this tiny jar handy in summer. Lavender and Roman chamomile have a soft, calming scent, and the cool aloe feels lovely on a fresh bite.
- 1 drop lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) for ages 2 to 4, or 2 drops for ages 5 and up
- 1 drop Roman chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) for ages 5 and up, optional
- ¼ tsp jojoba oil
- 1 Tbsp (15 ml) aloe vera gel
Directions: Blend the essential oils into the jojoba, then stir into the aloe. Dab a small amount onto bites with a clean fingertip or cotton swab.
3. Relaxing Lavender Aloe Hand and Foot Gel
Gel · Ages 5+ · 10 drops in ¼ cup (under 1%)
A light bedtime gel for dry hands and feet that won't leave greasy marks on your sheets.
- 8 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 2 drops cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) or Virginian (Juniperus virginiana)
- 1 tsp sweet almond or jojoba oil
- ¼ cup (60 ml) aloe vera gel
Directions: Mix the essential oils into the carrier oil, then stir into the aloe gel. Massage into hands and feet before bed. Love this scent combination? Read about lavender and cedarwood.
Note: Use jojoba if you have a nut allergy.
4. Aloe and Lavender Hand Gel
Hand gel · Ages 2+ · 24 to 48 drops in 1 cup (0.5 to 1%)
A light, alcohol-free gel that softens dry hands without leaving fingerprints on your phone or keyboard. Makes one 8 oz pump bottle for your desk, car, or nightstand.
- 24 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
- 24 drops tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) for ages 5 and up
- 2 tsp jojoba or fractionated coconut oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) aloe vera gel
- 8 oz glass or PET pump bottle and a small funnel
Directions:
- In a small bowl, mix the lavender and tea tree into the jojoba oil.
- Using a funnel, pour the aloe vera gel into your pump bottle.
- Add the oil mixture, cap the bottle, and shake well. Label it with the ingredients and the date.
To use: Shake well, then pump a small amount into your palm and rub it over your hands until absorbed.
Note: With a preserved, store-bought aloe gel, make a fresh bottle about once a month. With fresh aloe from the plant, keep it in the fridge and use it within a week.
Please note: this is not a hand sanitizer
This moisturizing gel won't kill germs the way soap and water or an alcohol-based sanitizer will. Wash your hands with soap and water whenever you can. When you can't, use a store-bought hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, as the CDC recommends. Then follow with this gel to soften dry hands. Want a natural hand soap? Try my foaming lime aloe soap.
More Hand Gel Scent Ideas
Swap the lavender and tea tree for one of these. Keep the total at 48 drops per cup of aloe gel.
- Sweet Citrus: 30 drops sweet orange + 18 drops lavender. Ages 5+.
- Calm and Cozy: 24 drops lavender + 16 drops cedarwood Atlas (Cedrus atlantica) or Virginian (Juniperus virginiana) + 8 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii). Ages 5+.
- Fresh Garden: 24 drops geranium + 24 drops lavender. Ages 5+.
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.
How to Store Lavender Aloe Gel
- Use a clean glass jar or pump bottle, and wash your hands before scooping.
- Store small batches in the fridge and use them within about 1 week.
- Throw it out if it smells sour, changes color, or looks cloudy or moldy.
- For a longer shelf life, start with a store-bought aloe gel that already contains a preservative, and still use it within a few weeks to a month.
- Use fresh essential oils. Old lavender and tea tree are more likely to irritate skin. See how to tell if essential oils have expired.
More Aloe and Lavender Recipes
- Aloe Vera for Skin: Benefits, How to Use It and DIY Recipes
- How to Make Aloe Vera Gel Ice Cubes
- Foaming Lime Aloe Soap Recipe
- Homemade Essential Oil Cooling Spray
- DIY Lavender Face Toner
- Carrier Oils for Essential Oils
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