The video shares a viral DIY beauty idea built around a surprisingly simple combination: rice, cloves, petroleum jelly, and a small amount of oil, mixed into a rich, glossy balm.
The video makes a dramatic “70 to 20 in 21 days” claim, but no homemade skincare recipe can literally reverse decades of aging. A more realistic way to use this idea is as a rich moisturizing balm for dry, mature-looking skin, while being cautious with cloves because they can irritate sensitive skin.
🌿 What Is This DIY Beauty Balm?
The recipe shown in the video combines a prepared rice-and-clove mixture with a thick moisturizing base.
The finished product has a creamy, slightly glossy consistency similar to a homemade overnight balm.
The basic concept is:
Rice + Cloves + Moisturizing Base + Oil → Mix → Apply Sparingly
🥣 What You’ll Need
For a small batch, use:
- 1 tablespoon uncooked white rice
- 3–5 whole cloves
- About ½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon plain petroleum jelly
- ½–1 teaspoon skin-friendly oil, such as jojoba oil
- Clean saucepan
- Fine strainer
- Clean glass jar
Because cloves can be irritating, keep the amount modest.
🍚 Step 1 – Prepare the Rice
Rinse the rice thoroughly with clean water.
Place approximately 1 tablespoon of rice into a small saucepan.
Rice contains starch, which helps give the finished preparation its smooth, creamy consistency.
🌿 Step 2 – Add the Cloves
Add approximately 3–5 whole cloves.
There is no need to use large amounts.
Cloves contain aromatic compounds such as eugenol, and concentrated clove preparations can irritate facial skin.
Never replace the whole cloves with undiluted clove essential oil.
💧 Step 3 – Simmer
Add approximately ½ cup of water.
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook until the rice becomes extremely soft and the liquid looks cloudy and slightly thickened.
Allow everything to cool completely.
🌀 Step 4 – Create a Smooth Rice Base
Remove the whole cloves.
Mash or blend the softened rice with a small amount of its cooking liquid until you have a smooth paste.
For an especially smooth facial preparation, press the mixture through a fine strainer.
You want a creamy texture—not rough grains that could scratch the skin.
🧴 Step 5 – Add Petroleum Jelly
Place approximately 1 tablespoon of plain petroleum jelly into a clean bowl or jar.
Add a small spoonful of your cooled rice preparation.
Mix thoroughly.
Petroleum jelly is an occlusive ingredient, meaning it helps reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. This is likely responsible for much of the temporary soft, glossy appearance associated with this type of DIY treatment.
💧 Step 6 – Add a Little Facial Oil
As demonstrated in the video, add a small amount of oil.
Try approximately:
½ teaspoon jojoba oil
Then mix everything thoroughly.
The finished preparation should become smooth, rich, and glossy.
Avoid adding large quantities of oil—the balm doesn’t need to drip from the skin to work as a moisturizer.
🥄 Step 7 – Mix Until Creamy
Continue stirring until everything is evenly incorporated.
The final consistency should look similar to the creamy balm shown in the video:
Smooth → Thick → Glossy → Easy to Spread
If you still see hard rice pieces, don’t apply the mixture to your face.
🧪 Step 8 – Patch Test First
Because the preparation includes cloves, patch testing is essential.
Apply a tiny amount to a small area of skin and monitor for:
- Burning
- Strong tingling
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Rash
If irritation occurs, wash it off and discontinue use.
🌙 Step 9 – How to Use It
If your skin tolerates the patch test, use only a very small amount.
Cleanse your face first, then apply a thin layer to dry areas.
Rather than vigorously massaging it into the skin, gently press or smooth it over the surface.
Avoid:
Eyes • Eyelids • Lips • Nostrils • Broken skin
For very dry skin, this type of balm makes more sense as an occasional nighttime treatment than as a daytime moisturizer.
✨ What Can It Realistically Do?
The most believable benefit of this recipe comes from moisturization and occlusion.
It may temporarily help skin feel:
- Softer
- Smoother
- Less dry
- More supple
- Less flaky
- More luminous
Well-moisturized skin can also make dehydration-related fine lines appear less noticeable temporarily.
❌ Will It Really Make 70-Year-Old Skin Look 20?
No.
There is no credible evidence that a combination of rice, cloves, petroleum jelly, and oil can reverse 50 years of biological skin aging in 21 days.
Wrinkles and skin aging involve changes in collagen, elastin, fat distribution, bone structure, genetics, sun exposure, and many other factors.
A moisturizing balm can improve appearance and texture, but that is very different from reversing aging.
⚠️ Homemade Water-Based Skincare Has Another Issue
Because cooked rice introduces water into this recipe, the finished product isn’t the same as plain petroleum jelly.
It can become contaminated with microorganisms because homemade mixtures generally don’t contain a properly tested preservative system.
For that reason:
Make very small amounts and don’t store a large jar for weeks.
Discard it if you notice any change in smell, appearance, texture, or color.
For regular skincare, a commercially formulated moisturizer is the safer and more predictable choice.
🌿 Who Should Skip the Clove Version?
Consider avoiding this recipe if you have:
- Rosacea
- Eczema
- Dermatitis
- Extremely sensitive skin
- Fragrance sensitivity
- Active acne irritation
- Broken or damaged skin
If you’re using retinoids, exfoliating acids, or other irritating treatments, keeping your routine simple may be better than adding cloves.
💡 A Simpler Alternative
You can achieve much of the moisturizing effect without making the full recipe.
Try:
Gentle Moisturizer → Tiny Layer of Petroleum Jelly on Very Dry Areas
This technique can help reduce overnight moisture loss without introducing botanical ingredients that may irritate your skin.
☀️ Don’t Forget the Real Anti-Aging Basics
For long-term healthy-looking skin, prioritize:
Morning: Gentle Cleanser → Moisturizer → Broad-Spectrum SPF 30+
Evening: Gentle Cleanser → Appropriate Treatment → Moisturizer
DIY treatments should remain optional extras.
🌿 Final Thoughts
The viral Rice + Clove + Petroleum Jelly Beauty Balm is an interesting homemade skincare ritual, especially for people who enjoy rich nighttime treatments.
The realistic goal isn’t:
“70 years old → 20 years old.”
Think instead:
Dry Skin → Extra Moisture → Softer, Smoother-Looking Skin.
Keep the clove concentration low, make only a small fresh batch, patch test carefully, and don’t expect dramatic age reversal.
Would you try this Rice & Clove Beauty Balm? Comment “RICE” below and save this guide for later! 🌿🍚✨
