If you love simple homemade beauty recipes, these three combinations inspired by cloves, rice, citrus and baby oil are easy to prepare with inexpensive ingredients.

One important note before starting: baby oil is technically an oil, not a toner, and ingredients such as cloves and fresh lime can irritate facial skin. So below, I’ve slightly adapted the viral recipes to make them gentler and more practical.

Always patch-test a small area first.

Recipe 1: Clove-Infused Baby Oil 🌿

This rich oil blend is best used as a body moisturizing oil rather than an everyday facial toner.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fragrance-free baby oil
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1 clean glass bottle or jar

Directions

1. Place the whole cloves into a clean, dry glass bottle.
2. Pour the baby oil over the cloves.
3. Close the bottle tightly.
4. Let the mixture infuse for about 24–48 hours in a cool, dark place.
5. Strain out the cloves before using if desired.

How to Use

After showering, apply a very small amount to slightly damp skin and massage gently.

It works especially well on dry areas such as:

• Arms
• Legs
• Elbows
• Knees
• Heels

Avoid applying this mixture close to the eyes or on irritated skin.

Recipe 2: Rice & Clove Beauty Water 🍚✨

Instead of putting rice directly into baby oil, this version uses rice water, which gives you the lightweight texture expected from a toner.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons uncooked white rice
• 1 cup filtered water
• 2–3 whole cloves
• A clean bottle

Directions

1. Rinse the rice thoroughly.
2. Place the rice in a clean bowl.
3. Add 1 cup of filtered water.
4. Add 2–3 whole cloves.
5. Allow everything to soak for approximately 20–30 minutes.
6. Stir gently.
7. Strain the liquid into a clean bottle.
8. Refrigerate immediately.

How to Use

After cleansing your face:

1. Shake the bottle gently.
2. Apply a small amount to a cotton pad.
3. Lightly wipe over the skin, avoiding the eye area.
4. Follow with moisturizer.

Because homemade rice water contains no preservatives, prepare small batches and discard it after 2–3 days.

Recipe 3: Gentle Clove Refreshing Mist 🍋

The viral version often combines cloves with fresh lime or lemon. However, fresh citrus juice can irritate skin and may increase sun sensitivity, so I recommend leaving the citrus juice out of a leave-on facial product.

You can still keep the fresh citrus theme by using citrus only for aroma nearby—not directly on the skin.

Ingredients

• 1 cup filtered water
• 3 whole cloves
• Optional: 1 teaspoon plain aloe vera gel
• Clean spray bottle

Directions

1. Bring the water to a boil.
2. Remove it from the heat.
3. Add the cloves.
4. Allow them to steep for about 5–10 minutes.
5. Let the liquid cool completely.
6. Strain out the cloves.
7. Mix in aloe vera gel if using.
8. Transfer to a clean spray bottle and refrigerate.

How to Use

Mist lightly onto freshly cleansed skin or spray onto a cotton pad before applying.

Use once daily at first to see how your skin reacts.

Can You Use These Twice a Day?

Not necessarily.

Even though many viral beauty posts recommend using homemade toners twice daily, more frequent application does not automatically produce better results.

Start with 2–3 times per week.

If your skin remains comfortable with no:

• Burning
• Redness
• Itching
• Dryness
• Swelling

you can gradually increase use.

Sensitive skin should use these mixtures much less frequently.

Important Safety Tips ⚠️

1. Always Patch-Test

Apply a small amount to the inside of your arm and wait about 24 hours before using a new mixture on your face.

2. Be Careful With Cloves

Cloves contain naturally aromatic compounds that may irritate sensitive skin.

More cloves does not mean better results.

3. Avoid Fresh Lemon or Lime on the Face

Although citrus is common in DIY skincare videos, fresh lemon and lime juice are highly acidic and may cause irritation.

Sun exposure after citrus contact can also cause unwanted skin reactions.

4. Keep Homemade Toners Refrigerated

Water-based DIY products spoil much faster than commercial skincare because they contain no preservatives.

Make only small amounts.

5. Never Use on Broken Skin

Avoid DIY mixtures if your skin is:

• Sunburned
• Irritated
• Recently exfoliated
• Cut or scratched

Which Recipe Should You Choose?

🌿 For dry body skin: Try the clove-infused baby oil.

🍚 For a lightweight facial routine: Try the rice-water version.

✨ For a refreshing mist: Try the diluted clove-and-aloe water.

The simplest recipe is often the best one—especially when it comes to facial skin.

Final Thoughts

These homemade beauty recipes are inexpensive and fun to experiment with, but they should complement—not replace—a basic skincare routine.

For most people, the essentials remain:

Gentle cleanser → moisturizer → sunscreen during the day.

If you decide to try one of these DIY recipes, start slowly, patch-test first and stop immediately if your skin becomes uncomfortable.

✨ Save these 3 recipes for later and remember: gentle skincare is always better than aggressive skincare!