Before the aloe leaf ever becomes a liquid extract, the first step is the soak. Once the end of the leaf is trimmed, the yellow latex begins to drain. This latex contains aloin, a phenolic compound that can be irritating for skin and scalp. Soaking the cut leaf helps pull more of this latex outward through passive diffusion. The water gradually shifts from clear to a light tint. That color change tells you the latex has migrated out of the leaf and the gel interior is ready for use. After the so