7 Best Ways To Use Cloves For Skin Care

 

Cloves are a humble kitchen spice with powerhouse skin-care benefits: their eugenol content calms inflammation, neutralises free-radicals, stops blemish-causing bacteria and nudges collagen production. When paired with equally accessible staples—baby oil, turmeric, potato, rose water, fermented rice water, aloe and green-tea ice—these buds create seven wallet-friendly “actives” that rival boutique formulas. Below you’ll find a step-by-step guide to all seven recipes.

1. Clove + Baby Oil Wrinkle-Eraser

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp whole cloves

• 100 ml mineral-oil-based baby oil

• 1 vitamin E capsule (400 IU)

• 1 tsp aloe-vera gel

• 3 drops jojoba oil

Procedure

1. Lightly bruise cloves with a mortar.

2. Warm baby oil over very low heat; add cloves and let them steep for 15 minutes.

3. Cool completely, strain into a dark glass bottle.

4. Pierce the vitamin E capsule and squeeze in the contents, then stir in aloe gel and jojoba oil.

Instructions

Massage 3–4 drops onto damp skin each night. Cleanse gently the next morning.

Benefits

Baby oil seals in moisture while clove eugenol boosts collagen and smooths fine lines. Vitamin E and jojoba supply antioxidants and lipids for a supple, youthful glow.

2. Clove-Turmeric Pore-Tightening Toner

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp whole cloves

• ¼ tsp turmeric powder

• 100 ml distilled water

• 1 tsp raw apple-cider vinegar (“with the mother”)

• 5 drops tea-tree essential oil

Procedure

Simmer cloves in the water for 10 minutes, then strain. Whisk in turmeric, apple-cider vinegar and tea-tree oil. Store refrigerated in a spray bottle.

Instructions

Shake well. After cleansing, mist onto face and gently pat until absorbed. Use morning and night.

Benefits

Turmeric calms redness and visibly minimises pores. Apple-cider vinegar provides gentle natural acids that tighten and balance pH, clove keeps bacteria in check, and tea-tree oil wards off breakouts.

3. Clove-Potato Dark-Spot Gel

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp clove infusion (borrow from Toner above)

• 3 tbsp freshly grated potato pulp

• 1 tbsp aloe-vera gel

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp vegetable glycerin

Procedure

Blend potato pulp, strain out the juice and combine with the remaining ingredients until jelly-like. Refrigerate for an hour to thicken.

Instructions

Spread a thin layer on dark spots every night; rinse off after 20 minutes.

Benefits

Potato catecholase gently fades hyperpigmentation, clove speeds up blemish recovery, aloe repairs, lemon brightens and glycerin locks in hydration.

4. Clove-Rose Water Glass-Skin Mist

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp whole cloves (about 10–12 buds)

• 90 ml pure rose water

• 2 tbsp fermented rice water*

• 1 tsp freshly pressed cucumber juice

• 3 drops cold-pressed rose-hip seed oil

* Fermented rice water: rinse 2 tbsp rice, soak in ½ cup water overnight, strain, then let the liquid sit 12–24 h until it turns faintly sour.

Procedure

1. Quick infusion: Lightly crush the cloves with a mortar. Simmer them in 30 ml of the rose water for 5 minutes, then cover and let steep until fully cooled.

2. Strain: Remove the cloves (or leave a couple inside the bottle for a slow brew if you like a stronger scent).

3. Blend: In a clean spray bottle, combine the clove-infused rose water with the remaining plain rose water, fermented rice water, cucumber juice and rose-hip seed oil. Swirl gently to mix.

4. Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour so flavours meld and the mist feels refreshing on application.

Instructions

Shake before each use. After cleansing, spritz generously over face and neck, patting in the moisture with clean palms. Reapply whenever skin looks dull or feels parched. Always follow with sunscreen during the day.

Benefits

• Clove infusion delivers antioxidants and mild antibacterial action to keep pores clear and calm.

• Rose water balances pH and imparts instant, dewy hydration.

• Fermented rice water supplies natural niacinamide-rich minerals that refine texture and brighten tone.

• Cucumber juice cools and reduces puffiness.

• Rose-hip seed oil adds pro-vitamin A and essential fatty acids for a translucent, “glass-skin” finish.

 

5. Clove-Aloe Vera Collagen Night Gel

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp food-grade aloe-vera gel

• 1 tsp superfine clove powder

• 1 tsp cucumber juice

• 4 drops lavender essential oil

• ½ tsp raw honey

Procedure

Whisk aloe, honey and cucumber until smooth. Sprinkle in clove powder; finish with lavender oil. Chill 30 minutes for a pudding-like consistency.

Instructions

Apply a pea-sized layer to face and neck before bed.

Benefits

Aloe and honey hydrate deeply; clove’s antioxidants fight free-radicals; cucumber de-puffs; lavender soothes for an overnight spa effect.

6. Clove-Honey Brightening Mask

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp raw honey

• ½ tsp clove powder

• 1 tbsp plain yogurt

• 1 tsp ground oatmeal

• 3 drops lemon juice

Procedure

Stir together to form a thick paste; rest 5 minutes so oats swell.

Instructions

Apply liberally, leave 15 minutes, then rinse while massaging in circles for gentle exfoliation. Use twice weekly.

Benefits

Honey and yogurt brighten and soften; oats calm; clove boosts circulation; lemon juice adds a quick vitamin C kick for radiance.

7. Clove-Green-Tea Ice Cubes (Depuff & Tone)

Ingredients

• 1 cup strong green-tea brew

• 1 tsp clove buds

• 4 mint leaves

• 1 tbsp rose water

• ½ tsp aloe-vera juice

Procedure

Steep cloves and mint in hot tea for 10 minutes. Strain, cool, add rose water and aloe, then pour into ice-cube trays and freeze.

Instructions

Wrap one cube in a thin cloth and glide across the face for 30–60 seconds each morning.

Benefits

Green-tea ice constricts vessels to reduce puffiness; clove and mint refresh and clarify; rose water prevents over-drying; aloe leaves skin comfortably hydrated.

Final Tips & Safety

• Patch-test first: Clove is potent; overuse can sting.

• Shelf life: Water-based recipes last about 1 week in the fridge; oil infusions keep a month.

• Sun care: Lemon and turmeric heighten sun sensitivity—wear SPF 30+ daily.

By swapping synthetics for fermented rice water and raw apple-cider vinegar, you keep every recipe completely natural while preserving pore-tightening, brightening and age-defying results. With just a handful of pantry staples and a pinch of cloves, glowing, healthy skin is truly DIY.