Ingredient Spotlight: Witch Hazel (2024)

FAQs

Ingredient Spotlight: Witch Hazel? ›

Derived from the leaves and bark of the Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana), this natural extract has been used for centuries due to its medicinal properties. Today, witch hazel is a popular ingredient in many skincare products, valued for its soothing, toning, and healing properties.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

The key constituents of witch hazel, which differ based on location as well as components used, predominantly include tannins, specifically gallotannins, and to a lesser extent flavonoid including procyanidins, catechins, and flavenols [67].

A common misconception is also that the witch hazel plant naturally contains alcohol, and that's simply not the case. Its astringent properties come from tannins.

Some people find that witch hazel is irritating and dries their skin out too much—this could be because the witch hazel was extracted using alcohol. If you want to use witch hazel to tame oily skin, look for a version that is made without alcohol and that contains moisturizing agents like aloe vera.

Some people may have an allergic reaction to witch hazel, so it is best to test it first on a small patch of skin and monitor it for 24 hours. If there is no redness, itching, or irritation, it should be safe to apply to a larger area.

Witch hazel is a water-based solution made with witch hazel extracts and often with added isopropyl alcohol. Witch hazel is used for a variety of skin conditions, but you shouldn't use it if you have burning, stinging, flushing, and other symptoms.

100% Natural Witch Hazel Astringent - T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel. T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Natural Astringent 16oz 5.0 out of 5 stars, average rating value.

Witch hazel can remove oil from the skin, but that's due to the denatured alcohol (ethanol) it contains. As we mentioned above, most of the witch hazel preparations contain between 14% and 15% alcohol, an amount that can significantly irritate skin.

People often use our products to relieve pain from injuries involving inflammation, such as arthritis, sprains, strains, joint pain, and bruises. Witch hazel is an ingredient containing potent anti-inflammatory properties.

Witch hazel has been used to relieve swelling, bleeding, itching, minor pain, and discomfort caused by minor skin irritations (such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites). It is also used to relieve itching, discomfort, irritation, and burning caused by hemorrhoids.

Is witch hazel good for aging skin? ›

These powerful antioxidants promote anti-inflammatory, anti aging, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and wound healing properties. Research studies on witch hazel and aloe vera have been proven to have skin soothing effects when applied topically on the skin, and are recommended for sensitive and acne prone skin.

Your skin needs gentle cleansing and treatment – which is exactly what witch hazel provides. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is too aggressive and oftentimes ends up agitating your skin further. This can result in a slow wound healing process, worsening rashes, or worsening acne.

We formulated this natural DIY room spray recipe with vodka instead of witch hazel or rubbing alcohol for a truly long-lasting scent. Read on to learn how to safely scent your home with a natural homemade essential oil room spray.

Witch hazel pads, sometimes known as “tucks,” can help relieve burning and itching for both achy vagin*l repairs and hemorrhoids. Witch hazel can be purchased then applied to cotton pads, or purchased as pads already containing witch hazel.

Generally, witch hazel is ideal for those with oily, normal, or combination skin. Most dermatologists try to steer patients away from witch hazel if they have especially dry skin, but this isn't always necessary if the witch hazel is part of a hydrating formula.

Witch Hazel has no known interactions with other drugs. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

For consumers, witch hazel's 'smart' antimicrobial properties make the plant a great way to fight bacterial pathogens, especially those that have notoriously developed resistance to conventional antibiotic treatments. Read "Witch Hazel Spells Trouble for Harmful Microbes" to learn more.

American Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) American witchhazel is a member of the Witch-hazel family. The genus name Hamamelis is Latin from the Greek meaning a kind of medlar or service tree. The species name virginiana refers to being from Virginia.

Witch Hazel is an alcoholic extract from the leaves, flowers and bark of the hamamelis tree. It contains a mixture of 85-86 % aqueous witch hazel extract and 14-15% ethyl alcohol from organic cane as a natural preservative.

When applied directly to the skin, witch hazel might help reduce swelling, help repair broken skin, and fight bacteria. Witch hazel contains chemicals called tannins. When applied directly to the skin, witch hazel might help reduce swelling, help repair broken skin, and fight bacteria.