Few kitchen staples have earned as much anti-ageing acclaim as clove. Its key component, eugenol, neutralises free radicals that degrade collagen, while its natural antiseptic properties keep pores clear of breakout-causing bacteria.
When combined with fermented rice water, antioxidant-rich green tea, cooling cucumber juice, and calming botanicals, it becomes a multi-tasking facial mist that firms, brightens, and hydrates with just a quick spritz.
Fans have dubbed it “Botox in a bottle” for the way it leaves skin instantly taut and luminous—no needles, no steep price tag, just everyday ingredients and twenty minutes of DIY magic.
Ingredients
• 8–10 whole clove buds – potent antioxidant and mild antibacterial
• 1 tablespoon green-tea leaves (or 1 tea bag) – catechins shield against UV and pollution damage
• 2 tablespoons fermented rice water (soaked for 48 hours) – peptides and inositol enhance elasticity
• 30 ml pure rose water – soothes redness and adds a gentle floral scent
• 15 ml freshly strained cucumber juice – a mild astringent with hydrating vitamin C and silica
• 15 ml cold-pressed aloe vera juice – humectant that speeds barrier repair
• 4–5 drops vitamin E oil (from a punctured capsule) – antioxidant that prolongs freshness
• Optional: 1½ teaspoons vegetable glycerin for extra softness in dry climates
Method – Making the Concentrate
1. Simmer and steep – Boil 100 ml distilled water in a small stainless steel pan. Add clove buds and green-tea leaves, cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Switch off the heat and steep for another 10 minutes to fully release the flavonoids.
2. Strain – Pour through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into a heatproof jug, discarding solids.
3. Blend actives – While still warm (around 40°C), whisk in fermented rice water for even dispersion of peptides.
4. Cool and enrich – Once cooled to room temperature, stir in rose water, cucumber juice, and aloe vera juice. Add 4–5 drops of vitamin E oil and whisk to form a smooth emulsion. (Add glycerin here if using.)