What if a few ingredients from your kitchen could leave your skin looking smoother, softer, and more refreshed? That’s the idea behind the viral okra-and-clove toner—but there’s a catch.
The recipe sounds impressive: okra gel, cloves, green tea, aloe vera, rose water, glycerin, and vitamin E. Together, they create a lightweight homemade mist that can feel wonderfully hydrating on the skin.
But before you start spraying it on your face twice a day, there are a few things you should know about what this DIY toner may actually do—and what it can’t realistically promise.
Why Okra Is the Star of This DIY Toner
When fresh okra is sliced and gently heated in water, it releases a naturally slippery, gel-like substance.
That texture is one of the reasons okra has become popular in homemade beauty recipes.
Applied to the skin, the resulting liquid can leave the surface feeling soft, smooth, and moisturized.
And that plump feeling can make fine lines appear temporarily less noticeable.
But there’s an important distinction: a smoother-looking surface isn’t the same thing as producing new collagen.
The word “collagen” makes this recipe sound like an anti-aging treatment, but a homemade okra mixture shouldn’t be considered a proven collagen-building treatment.
What Do Cloves Add?
Cloves are included mainly for their naturally occurring plant compounds, particularly eugenol.
Eugenol has antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that have been studied in laboratory and other research settings.
That sounds promising—but it doesn’t mean that putting a homemade clove infusion on your face will automatically reduce wrinkles or rebuild collagen.
In fact, cloves deserve a little caution.
The Complete DIY Okra & Clove Toner Recipe
If you want to try the idea, here’s a simplified version of the recipe.
Ingredients
- 6–8 fresh okra pods
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- ½ cup cooled green-tea infusion
- ¼ cup rose water
- 2 tablespoons fresh aloe-vera gel
- 1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
- 4–6 drops vitamin E oil
- Optional: ½ teaspoon grapeseed oil
Step 1: Make the Okra Extract
Slice the okra lengthwise and place it in a small saucepan with about 1 cup of water.
Simmer gently for approximately 8 minutes.
As the okra cooks, the water should become slightly viscous.
Allow it to cool, then strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or clean cheesecloth.
You should be left with a slippery, lightweight okra extract.
Step 2: Add the Cloves
While the okra extract is still warm—but not hot—add the whole cloves.
Let them steep for around 10 minutes, then strain the mixture again.
This creates the aromatic clove infusion that will be combined with the remaining ingredients.
Don’t assume that making the clove concentration stronger will make the toner more effective.
Clove can be irritating, particularly for people with sensitive skin.
Step 3: Mix the Remaining Ingredients
Once the extract has completely cooled, combine it with:
- Cooled green tea
- Rose water
- Aloe vera
- Glycerin
- Vitamin E oil
- Optional grapeseed oil
Mix everything thoroughly.
Because oil and water don’t naturally stay mixed, the final preparation may separate. If that happens, shake the bottle gently before use.
Step 4: Put It Into a Clean Bottle
Transfer the mixture into a clean spray bottle with a secure lid.
An opaque or dark-colored bottle can help reduce exposure to light.
Label the bottle with the preparation date so you know how long you’ve had it.
And here’s an important correction to many viral DIY recipes:
A homemade water-based skincare mixture does not have the same preservation system as a commercially manufactured toner.
Because it contains ingredients such as fresh aloe, green tea, and water, microorganisms can grow even when the mixture looks and smells normal.
For that reason, keeping a homemade toner for weeks isn’t something you should automatically assume is safe.
How to Patch-Test It
Don’t spray a new homemade mixture all over your face immediately.
First, apply a small amount to a limited area of skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends testing new skincare products on a small area before applying them more broadly.
Watch for:
- Burning
- Itching
- Redness
- Swelling
- Rash
- Persistent irritation
If you develop a reaction, wash the area and stop using the mixture.
Can This Toner Really Boost Collagen?
