Clove Leaf Essential Oil is a steam-distilled oil from the leaves of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum) with a strong, spicy, woodsy aroma. It is used, well diluted, for oily and acne-prone skin, for controlling dandruff on an oily scalp, and for warming muscle-rub blends — always for external use only.
What is Clove Leaf Essential Oil?
This oil comes from the leaves rather than the buds, which gives it a rounder, more woodsy scent and a high content of eugenol. Azlok's Clove Leaf Essential Oil is produced in India by steam distillation and is a colourless to pale yellow, transparent liquid. Its main constituents are eugenol, caryophyllene and eugenyl acetate — the compounds behind its familiar spicy character and its reputation for antimicrobial, stimulating action.
Common uses
- Oily and acne-prone skin: added in tiny amounts to a carrier oil or clay mask to support clearer skin.
- Dandruff and oily scalp: a few drops mixed into a carrier oil or your regular shampoo before a hair wash.
- Muscle rubs: its warming quality makes it a popular addition to massage blends for tired muscles.
- Home fragrance: a warm, spicy note in diffuser blends, especially around the cooler months.
- Soap and candle making: a natural aromatic in cold-process soaps and container candles.
How to use it
Clove leaf oil is potent, so a little goes a long way. Always dilute before it touches skin.
- Patch test first. Mix one drop into a teaspoon of carrier oil, apply to your inner forearm and wait 24 hours.
- For skin: keep the dilution low — roughly 1 drop per 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of a carrier like jojoba, coconut or sweet almond oil.
- For scalp and hair: add 2–3 drops to a tablespoon of carrier oil, massage lightly, leave for 15–20 minutes and wash off. You can also add a drop to a single dose of shampoo.
- For diffusing: 2–3 drops in your diffuser, on its own or blended with sweet orange or ginger.
Blends that work
Clove leaf oil pairs beautifully with warm and citrus notes. It blends with cassia, sweet orange, ginger, wild orange and frankincense, and mixes readily into all types of carrier oils. It is soluble in alcohols and fixed oils and only slightly soluble in water, so use a carrier or solubiliser rather than plain water.
Safety notes
Eugenol-rich oils are among the stronger essential oils, so treat them with respect.
- Meant for external use only — do not ingest.
- Always dilute before topical use and never apply neat to skin.
- Do a patch test every time you try a new blend.
- Avoid direct sunlight on treated skin for a while after application.
- Keep well away from children and pets.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone with a medical condition or sensitive skin, should consult a doctor first.
Buying and storage
Azlok offers Clove Leaf Essential Oil starting at ₹435, in sizes from 100 Gm up to bulk 25 Kg packs, which suits both home users and small businesses making soaps, candles or hair oils. Look for a clear, pale liquid with a fresh spicy-woody smell; specifications such as specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation on the label indicate a genuine steam-distilled oil.
Store it in a tightly closed amber or dark glass bottle, away from heat and sunlight. Kept cool and sealed, it has a shelf life of about two years. If the aroma turns sharp or the colour darkens noticeably, it is past its best.
FAQ
What is the difference between clove leaf and clove bud oil?
Both come from Syzygium aromaticum, but clove leaf oil is distilled from the leaves and has a woodsier scent, while clove bud oil comes from the buds and smells sweeter. Leaf oil is typically higher in eugenol.
Can I apply Clove Leaf Essential Oil directly to my skin?
No. It is very concentrated and should always be diluted in a carrier oil. Undiluted use can irritate or sensitise the skin.
Is it good for dandruff?
Many people use it, well diluted in a carrier oil or shampoo, as part of a routine for an oily, dandruff-prone scalp. Results vary, so start with a low dilution and patch test.
Which oils does it blend well with?
It combines nicely with cassia, sweet orange, ginger, wild orange and frankincense, and dilutes into any carrier oil.
How long does the oil last?
About two years when stored in a sealed dark bottle away from heat and light.