Clove Green Tea Toner: Shrink Large Pores, Reduce Dark Spots
If your skin battles visible pores, excess oil, and uneven tone, this gentle, kitchen-friendly toner brings together pore-tightening astringents, oil-balancing botanicals, and hydrating humectants—without the sting of harsh alcohol. Green tea helps calm and balance sebum, while whole cloves contribute antioxidant, clarifying support. A light touch of alcohol-free witch hazel offers a temporary “tight” feel to the look of pores, and glycerin plus aloe keep the formula comfortable and soothing. With an optional splash of rice water, you’ll also nudge brightening over time.
Ingredients Required (makes ~120–150 ml)
Green tea – 1 heaped teaspoon loose leaves or 1 quality tea bag
Whole cloves – 6 to 8 (use whole, not clove oil, for a milder infusion)
Aloe vera juice or gel (pure, unscented) – 2 tablespoons
Vegetable glycerin – 1 to 2 teaspoons (adjust to skin feel)
Alcohol-free witch hazel – 2 tablespoons
Filtered water – 200 ml (you’ll use part of this to brew)
Optional brightening booster: fresh rice water (from rinsed/soaked rice) – 2 tablespoons
Optional scent-water: plain rose water – up to 2 tablespoons (replace equal water)
Procedure
Brew a concentrated green tea.
Bring 200 ml water to just-off-boil. Add green tea and steep only 2–3 minutes to avoid bitterness. Strain; you’ll need 100 ml of this tea.
Infuse the cloves (gentle method).
While the tea is hot, drop in 6–8 whole cloves. Cover and let sit 10–15 minutes, then strain out the cloves. (Whole-clove infusion keeps the effect gentler than using clove essential oil.)Cool completely.
Let the clove-green-tea base reach room temperature (speed it in the fridge).Blend the water phase.
In a clean glass beaker/jar, combine:100 ml clove-green-tea base
2 tbsp aloe vera
2 tbsp alcohol-free witch hazel
1–2 tsp glycerin (start with 1 tsp for oily skin)
Optional: 2 tbsp rice water and/or up to 2 tbsp rose water
Stir until uniform. If using aloe gel, whisk to smooth.
Bottle & store.
Transfer to a sterilized pump or spray bottle. Label and refrigerate. Use within 7–10 days (no preservatives).
Instructions (How to Use)
When: Use twice daily after cleansing (AM/PM).
How:
Spritz 3–4 pumps over face/neck or saturate a cotton pad and sweep outward.
Allow to air dry; follow with serum/moisturizer and broad-spectrum sunscreen in the morning.
Patch test first: Apply behind the ear or along the jawline for 24 hours, especially if you’re sensitive to botanicals or have a history of plant allergies.
Adjustments by skin type:
Oily/large pores: Keep glycerin closer to 1 tsp; you can add 1 extra tbsp witch hazel if skin tolerates.
Dry/combination: Use 2 tsp glycerin and an extra 1 tbsp aloe.
Dull/spot-prone tone: Include the rice water booster regularly and be diligent with daily sunscreen.
What to avoid together: Don’t pair with strong actives (AHAs/BHAs/retinoids/benzoyl peroxide) in the same routine until you confirm skin tolerance.
Benefits of the DIY (What Each Part Does)
Green tea: Helps balance oil and visibly calm redness, making pores look less pronounced over time and supporting clearer skin.
Whole cloves (gentle infusion): Provide antioxidant and soothing support for a fresher look. Because clove compounds can be potent at high levels, using a mild whole-spice infusion is a safer DIY choice.
Alcohol-free witch hazel: Offers a temporary astringent “tightening” feel and helps calm the look of irritation, which can make pores appear smaller after use.
Glycerin: A classic humectant that pulls water into the outer skin layers, improving smoothness and supporting barrier function—key for both pore appearance and post-blemish marks.
Aloe vera:Â Adds light hydration and soothing slip so the toner feels comfortable even with mild astringents.
Rice water (optional): Commonly used for gentle brightening and barrier support, pairing well with daily sunscreen for a more even look over time.
Pro Tips & Safety
Keep it fresh & cold. This is a low-preservative, water-rich formula—refrigerate and remake weekly.
Fragrance-free wins. Skip perfumes and essential oils beyond the clove infusion to minimize sensitization.
Sun care is non-negotiable. Dark spots won’t fade without daily SPF 30+; your toner supports the routine, it isn’t a replacement for sunscreen.
If stinging occurs, dilute with more cooled green tea or discontinue; consider removing witch hazel and/or rice water, then re-introduce slowly.
With twice-daily use and consistent sunscreen, you may notice a cleaner T-zone feel and smoother look to pores within 2–4 weeks, and a more even tone over 6–8 weeks as post-blemish marks appear less prominent. Remember: this gentle DIY is a supporting player—for stubborn acne or pigmentation, pair with dermatologist-approved actives as tolerated.
If you’d like, I can tailor a version for oily-acneic skin (extra astringency, lighter humectants) or a barrier-first sensitive skin version (no witch hazel, more aloe + glycerin).
