There is a little jar of cloves sitting in almost every Pakistani kitchen right now — tucked behind the cardamom, forgotten next to the cinnamon — and it might just be the most underestimated beauty ingredient you own. We reach for cloves when cooking biryani, but rarely do we think about what this tiny spice can do for our skin. That changes today.
Cloves are packed with eugenol, a naturally occurring compound that has powerful antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. When used correctly on the skin, clove helps tighten enlarged pores, fights dullness, boosts circulation for a natural glow, and even works as a gentle brightening agent over time. The best part? You do not need a dermatologist’s prescription or an imported serum — you need five simple ingredients and a little patience.
This three-step clove skincare routine — a glow toner, an overnight gel, and a refreshing ice cube treatment — works together to transform your skin gradually and safely. Think of it as the skincare ritual your grandmother would have loved, made a little more intentional.
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Step 1: Clove Glow Toner
Every good skincare routine starts with a toner, and this clove-based version is unlike anything you will find on a store shelf. It is gentle enough for daily use, effective enough to deliver visible results within a week, and costs almost nothing to make at home.
Ingredients
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 1 cup water (filtered or boiled and cooled)
- 1 tablespoon rose water
- 1 small piece mulethi (licorice) root (liquorice root)
- ½ teaspoon glycerin (optional — especially good for dry skin)
How to Make It
- Place the cloves and mulethi (licorice) root in a clean bowl or jar with one cup of water.
- Let them soak for 5 to 6 hours, or overnight if you prefer a stronger infusion. The water will slowly turn a warm golden-brown as the clove and mulethi (licorice) release their active compounds.
- Once soaked, strain the liquid through a fine mesh or muslin cloth to remove all the solids.
- Add the rose water to the strained liquid and stir gently. If you have dry skin, add the glycerin at this stage.
- Transfer the toner into a clean glass bottle or spray bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to five days.
How to Use
- Pour a small amount onto a cotton pad and sweep it gently across your cleansed face each morning or evening.
- Allow it to absorb naturally — no rinsing needed.
- Use daily or on alternate days depending on your skin’s sensitivity.
- For an extra cooling effect, pour the toner into an ice cube tray and freeze — more on that in Step 3.
Glow boost • Pore tightening • Smoother skin texture • Brightening over time
The clove in this toner improves blood circulation just beneath the skin’s surface, which is what gives you that immediate post-application glow. The mulethi(licorice) root is a well-known brightening agent in Ayurvedic skincare — it contains glabridin, which gently reduces hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone with regular use. Rose water calms and balances, while glycerin locks in just enough moisture to prevent the toner from feeling drying.
Step 2: Clove Glow Gel (Overnight Treatment)
If the toner is your morning hello to your skin, this gel is its goodnight kiss. Overnight treatments work while your skin is in its natural repair mode — cell turnover increases, and active ingredients are absorbed more deeply when you are not exposed to pollution, sun, or makeup. This simple three-ingredient gel does exactly that.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel (straight from the leaf is best, but store-bought pure gel also works)
- 5–6 whole cloves
- 2–3 drops rosehip oil
How to Make It
- Scoop the aloe vera gel into a small glass jar or bowl.
- Drop the whole cloves directly into the gel and stir so they are submerged.
- Cover the jar and leave it overnight — at least 8 hours. The cloves will slowly infuse their eugenol into the aloe gel during this time.
- In the morning, remove and discard the cloves.
- Add 2 to 3 drops of rosehip oil and mix gently until combined.
- Store in the refrigerator and use within 4 to 5 days.
How to Use
- After your evening cleansing routine, apply a thin, even layer of this gel across your face and neck.
- Use only a small amount — less is more with this gel. A thin layer absorbs beautifully; a thick one may feel sticky.
- Leave it on overnight and rinse with cool water in the morning.
- Follow with your regular morning moisturizer or sunscreen.
Overnight repair • Natural glow • Soft skin tightening • Fades dullness & dark spots
Aloe vera is the quiet hero of this formula. It is over 99% water, which makes it incredibly lightweight and non-comedogenic — it hydrates without clogging pores. It also contains polysaccharides and antioxidants that help the skin retain moisture and repair micro-damage caused by daily environmental exposure. When cloves are infused into it, the eugenol gradually migrates into the gel, turning a basic aloe base into a genuinely active treatment. Rosehip oil brings the final touch — it is rich in vitamin A and essential fatty acids that plump fine lines, even skin tone, and leave the skin with a healthy, natural shine come morning.
Step 3: Clove Ice Cube (Instant Glow Treatment)
This is the step that feels the most indulgent — and honestly, it is. Running an ice cube across your face in the morning is one of those small rituals that makes you feel like you are doing something genuinely good for yourself. And with clove-infused water, you actually are.
What You Need
- The same clove toner from Step 1 — that is all.
How to Make It
- Pour your prepared clove toner into a standard ice cube tray.
- Place in the freezer for 4 to 6 hours, or overnight.
- Once frozen, pop the cubes out and store them in a small zip-lock bag or airtight container in the freezer.
How to Use
- Take one cube and wrap it loosely in a thin muslin cloth or soft cotton fabric — never apply bare ice directly to the skin.
- Gently glide it across your face in small circular motions for 1 to 2 minutes, focusing on the nose, cheeks, and forehead.
- Pay extra attention to areas where pores appear enlarged.
- Use 3 to 4 times per week — morning use gives the best results as it wakes up the skin and preps it for the day ahead.
- Do not rinse afterward. Let the skin absorb the melted toner naturally.
Instant glow • Pore minimizing • Reduces puffiness • Fresh & awake appearance
Cold therapy — or cryotherapy in clinical terms — has been used in skincare for decades. When you apply cold to the skin, the blood vessels temporarily constrict and then dilate, which boosts circulation and gives the complexion an immediate rosy, healthy glow. It also temporarily tightens the skin’s surface, making pores look visibly smaller. When you combine that with the active compounds from clove already present in the toner, you are getting both instant and cumulative benefits in a single step.
Your Complete Clove Skincare Routine
Morning
- Cleanse your face with a gentle face wash
- Apply the clove ice cube for 1 to 2 minutes (3 to 4 days a week)
- Follow with the clove glow toner on a cotton pad
- Moisturize and apply sunscreen
Evening
- Double cleanse if you are wearing makeup
- Apply the clove glow toner as your first treatment step
- Apply a thin layer of the overnight clove gel as your final step
- Wake up, rinse, and repeat
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use this routine on sensitive skin?
Yes, but with some adjustments. Skip the ice cube if your skin is very reactive to cold. With the toner, start on alternate days and observe how your skin responds before moving to daily use. The gel is generally well-tolerated, but do a patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours before applying it to your face.
Q: How long before I see results?
Most people notice an immediate improvement in skin brightness and texture after the first use — especially with the ice cube. For more significant changes like pore refinement and fading of dullness, consistent use over 3 to 4 weeks gives the best results.
Q: Can I use clove oil instead of whole cloves?
Clove essential oil is significantly more concentrated than whole cloves and can easily irritate or even burn the skin if used incorrectly. The infusion method using whole cloves is much safer and still delivers excellent results. Stick to whole cloves for this routine.
Q: Is this routine safe to use during pregnancy?
It is always best to consult your doctor before starting any new skincare treatment during pregnancy. While external topical use of clove in small amounts is generally considered low-risk, individual sensitivity can vary.
Q: Can I use this if I have acne-prone skin?
Yes — clove’s antibacterial properties actually make it particularly beneficial for acne-prone skin. It helps keep bacteria in check, reduces inflammation, and does not clog pores. Just avoid the glycerin addition in the toner if your skin is very oily.
Q: What if I do not have mulethi (licorice) root?
The toner works beautifully even without mulethi(licorice). It simply adds an extra brightening dimension. If you cannot find it, make the toner with just cloves, water, and rose water — the results are still excellent.
Clove is one of those rare ingredients that works on multiple skin concerns at once — glow, texture, pores, dullness — without overwhelming the skin or requiring a complicated routine. This three-step system fits easily into any existing skincare regimen and uses ingredients you can source locally without spending a fortune.
Start with just the toner and ice cubes in your first week, then introduce the overnight gel once your skin has adjusted. Consistency is what makes the difference. Give it four weeks and see what this humble kitchen spice can actually do.
Try this routine and share your results in the comments — I would love to hear how your skin responds!