This article discusses the benefits of witch hazel, its importance in skin care, how to use it, and any potential side effects. Keep reading.
What Is Witch Hazel Exactly?
Witch hazel is a flowering plant (Hamamelis spp.) that is found in North America, Japan, and China. Also known as winterbloom, it is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 25 feet high. The extract of witch hazel plant is used as a natural astringent and skin care remedy for a range of problems because it contains polyphenols and tannins that exhibit antioxidant and astringent activity, respectively. Since witch hazel has been around and used for so long, it is but obvious that it has worked marvelously as a skin care agent. But there are still a few things you need to keep in mind before you use it on your face. Let’s see what they are.
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Skin Care?
Yes, witch hazel is absolutely safe to use as a skin care remedy. However, you need to keep a couple of things in mind before you purchase your first bottle. Firstly, since witch hazel essentially acts as a toner, using it in excess could dry out your skin. So, make sure you buy one that is oil-based and does not contain any alcohol to prevent that from happening. Secondly, as with any product that you’re planning to use on your face, you need to do a patch test with witch hazel on your forearm to make sure you’re not allergic to it. Now that you know what you need to look out for when picking the perfect bottle of witch hazel, let’s look at the many benefits that this miracle ingredient possesses.
Benefits Of Witch Hazel
Most of witch hazel’s benefits stem from its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. These include reducing acne, fighting premature signs of aging, healing hemorrhoids, and treating the symptoms of serious skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Let’s take a more in-depth look at these benefits.
1. Acts As An Astringent
An astringent is any compound that helps contract the skin cells and other tissues. Witch hazel is one of nature’s best astringents . It may help treat inflammation associated with various skin issues (1). These may include acne, itching, and even irritation. We will look at each of these in detail further down this list.
2. Reduces Acne/Pimples
Besides being an amazing astringent, witch hazel also has some great antioxidant properties. This double whammy makes it perfect for reducing acne (2). You can use liquid witch hazel directly on your face with a cotton pad. But if you want to pamper your skin and give the acne-fighting properties of witch hazel an extra boost, here’s a quick home remedy you can try out.
½ teaspoon vitamin C powder 6 drops of lavender essential oil ¼ cup witch hazel
While the vitamin C boosts the healing and astringent properties of witch hazel, the lavender essential oil soothes your skin and makes it smell great. Use this toner every time you wash your face to reduce pimples. But make sure you use this concoction up within a week as the vitamin C will oxidize over time and render it useless.
3. Fights Signs Of Aging And Damage From Sun Exposure
Witch hazel is chock-full of antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties that make it perfect for fighting the signs of premature aging like wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of skin elasticity. It does this by tightening pores and protecting the skin from free radical damage. The polyphenols and tannins in witch hazel also act as excellent protectors against the sun damage caused by UV radiation (3).
4. Stops Bleeding Fast
Since witch hazel acts as an astringent that contracts skin cells, it is great for stopping minor cuts and scrapes from bleeding. The tannins present in witch hazel also help reduce pain and swelling and form a protective coating on wounds to prevent the development of infection (4).
5. Heals Bruises
Witch hazel has some fantastic anti-inflammatory properties that help constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling. This makes it perfect for reducing bruises (5). Just apply it on your bruise and massage it into your skin to see the results.
6. Relieves Discomfort From Sunburn
The tannins and catechins present in witch hazel are great at reducing the inflammation caused by sunburns. They also soothe the sunburnt skin, reduce swelling, and prevent the skin from flaking and peeling (6). If your skin is painfully sunburnt and you need something that will soothe and heal it, you can add half a cup of aloe vera gel to one cup of witch hazel and spray it onto the affected area for some instant relief.
7. Treats Eczema And Psoriasis
Anyone who suffers from eczema or psoriasis knows how intensely painful the itching they cause is. The itching, redness, scaling, and burning caused by these two inflammatory skin diseases can be reduced with the help of witch hazel. This relief can only be attributed to the local astringent and anti-inflammatory properties that it possesses (7). You can add French green clay or neem oil to witch hazel to get faster relief.
8. Soothes A Sore Throat
Tried every home remedy in the book to relieve your sore throat but to no avail? Then, it’s time you gave witch hazel a try. Not only does it reduce the swelling and pain, but it also dries out the excess mucus produced in your throat due to the infection. All you need to do is gargle with a decoction made of witch hazel bark or leaves 2-3 times a day (8). This home remedy works wonders in reducing the sore throat symptoms caused by a variety of throat diseases like laryngitis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis.
9. Treats Cold Sores
Cold sores are red blisters that erupt around the mouth as a result of the herpes simplex virus and are often accompanied by an itching and burning sensation. The antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can help reduce these symptoms quite effectively (9). Just dab it directly on the cold sore with a cotton pad 2-3 times a day.
10. Prevents Diaper Rashes
There’s nothing more distressing for parents than to see their little one’s bottom covered in bright red and itchy rashes. Fortunately, witch hazel has been found to reduce the irritation and redness caused by diaper rash quite significantly due to its anti-inflammatory properties (10).
11. Prevents Razor Burns
Whether you shave your facial, underarm or pubic hair, razor burn is a phenomenon experienced by pretty much everyone. Witch hazel is the perfect ingredient that can come to your rescue here. The astringent and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel are great for reducing the itchiness and bumps that occur around the irritated hair follicles (11).
12. Helps Reduce Puffy Eyes
When exam season rolls around, or the stress of meeting targets at work gets a hold of you, your eyes are bound to get tired and puffed up. This is because the skin under your eyes is especially thin and delicate. Applying witch hazel around your eyes works like a charm in reducing the soreness and puffiness because of – you guessed it – its astringent qualities (12).
13. Soothes Chicken Pox
Ahh! The dreaded chicken pox! It may happen to you just once in your lifetime, but that’s enough to give you a traumatic memory for the rest of your life. Those pesky pus-filled poxes are itchy, to say the least. The anti-inflammatory and soothing properties of witch hazel can help relieve some of this itching and irritation (13).
14. Protects Your Mouth, Lips, And Gums
Bleeding or swollen gums, cold sores, canker sores, and blisters – these are only some of the painful things that our poor mouth, lips, and gums are subjected to. Rinsing your mouth with a witch hazel mouthwash can help reduce the swelling and pain and also fight these infections quite effectively (14). You could also combine it with coconut oil or myrrh and apply it topically to the blisters, sores, or swollen gums for effective results.
15. Removes Blackheads
Blackheads are formed when open pores in your skin get clogged up with dead skin cells or oils. Gross, I know. Witch hazel has astringent properties (15). This helps loosen blackheads and tighten the skin pores to prevent them from coming back.
16. Acts As A Deodorant
Owing to its natural healing properties, witch hazel works quite wonderfully as an organic deodorant when mixed with a few other fragrant essential oils. Here’s what you need:
4 tablespoons of witch hazel 1 teaspoon of vodka 10 drops of geranium essential oil 10 drops of cypress essential oil ● 3 drops of black pepper essential oil 4 drops of lavender essential oil 5 drops of neroli essential oil 8 drops of bergamot essential oil 2 tablespoons of orange flower water 2 tablespoons of cornflower water Spray bottle
Pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle and shake it vigorously to mix them thoroughly. Spray this all-natural deodorant on your underarms and smell fresh throughout the day!
17. Cures Ear Infections
If you’ve ever experienced an ear infection, you know it hurts in a way that makes it hard for you to function like a normal human being. Ear infections are obviously caused by bacteria. Witch hazel has antibacterial properties (5). Putting a few drops of witch hazel into your ear with a dropper can help alleviate some of the irritation, dissolve the built-up wax, and dry up any pus that may have collected in it.
18. Reduces Stretch Marks
Since witch hazel possesses astringent properties that help the skin cells to contract and tighten, it can be conjectured that it can help fade out stretch marks. This is also the reason pregnant women use it to prevent stretch marks from developing. However, there’s no conclusive evidence to prove that witch hazel can effectively reduce stretch marks.
19. Heals Hemorrhoids
First things first, hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and rectum that can cause bleeding. Yes, they are as painful as they sound. You may know them by their laymen term ‘piles.’ Applying witch hazel to the affected area (yes, your bum) can help reduce the bleeding and relieve some of the swelling, itching, and burning sensation due to its anti-inflammatory, astringent, and healing properties (16).
20. Reduces The Appearance Of Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are gnarly and enlarged veins that appear on the legs and feet and can prove to be painful. The tannin content of witch hazel can help constrict the blood vessels and reduce the swelling caused by the varicose veins (17). Additionally, the gallic acid and essential oils present in it can help soothe the pain. Using cloth compresses of witch hazel is recommended in this case.
21. Moisturizes And Nourishes Dry Skin
You would think that any ingredient that works as an astringent would dry your skin out. But you couldn’t be more wrong! In fact, applying witch hazel to your skin right after stepping out of the shower can help dry out excess oils and lock in the moisture in your skin. However, if you’re using store-bought witch hazel, make sure you are using one without any alcohol in it as it will be counterproductive and make your skin dry.
22. Cleanses Hair And Protects The Scalp
When it comes to hair and scalp care, there’s nothing that witch hazel cannot do. It can tame down frizzy hair and add volume to it. We already know that witch hazel helps dry out excess oils and grease, which makes it great to be used on oily hair. The vasoconstrictive properties of witch hazel also mean that massaging it into your scalp helps increase the blood circulation in it, thus reducing hair fall. Any scalp-related issue that you can think of can be combated by the mighty witch hazel. The essential oils present in it nourish the scalp and get rid of dandruff. And that’s not all! Being a natural astringent, it also helps relieve any itchiness you may be experiencing on your scalp.
23. Protects Your Pets From Odor And Bug Bites
Yes, you may love your pets more than anything else in the world, but sometimes, they can smell so bad that you have to push them away, even if it breaks your heart. Dogs and cats start smelling bad when bacteria start developing on their skin or in any wounds. Rubbing some witch hazel on their skin can help get rid of this bacteria and odor effectively. Moreover, it acts as an excellent mosquito repellent for your furry friend (18).
24. Treats Insect Bites
If you live closer to the countryside and are always covered in mosquito and other insects’ bites, it’s time you start using witch hazel. The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of witch hazel help reduce the swelling and itching of insect bites (19). Now, I personally don’t mind buying a witch hazel astringent from the store. But if you like to use only 100% organic products and don’t mind going the DIY way, here’s how you can make one right at home.
How To Make Your Own DIY Witch Hazel For Skin Care
½ pound of witch hazel bark ½ liter of water 200 ml of vodka or pure grain alcohol
Don’t want to go through the effort of doing it yourself? No problem! Here’s where you can buy witch hazel.
Where And What Witch Hazel Brands To Buy?
All of this is well and good. But there are still a couple of things you need to keep in mind before you start using witch hazel.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Witch Hazel?
No, witch hazel does not have any major side effects when applied on the skin or consumed orally. However, some people could experience irritation due to an allergic reaction, so it’s always best to do a patch test before you start using it. It has also been known to cause stomach upset in some people. It’s best to avoid consuming witch hazel orally in large amounts as it contains small amounts of safrole (a chemical potentially linked to cancer) and tannins (toxic compounds) and could possibly cause liver problems. Pregnant and lactating women should also consult a physician before using or consuming witch hazel. What is witch hazel (astringent) made of? In its astringent form, witch hazel is an extract made from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel shrub. It mainly consists of calcium oxalate, safrole, gallotannins, carvacrol, and eugenol. What are witch hazel pads? Witch hazel pads are cotton pads that are soaked in witch hazel astringent. Can you use witch hazel on babies? Yes, you can externally use witch hazel on babies in very small quantities. Does witch hazel fade dark spots? Yes, witch hazel is rich in antioxidants and is a natural astringent that can help fade dark spots and pigmentation and encourage brighter skin (20). Can I use witch hazel on my face every day? Yes, it is absolutely safe to use witch hazel every day as part of your skin care routine. You can either use it as a toner or in the form of wipes to treat acne. Can you put witch hazel on your private area? Yes, witch hazel can be used on your intimate areas too. It helps reduce the pores and bumps after shaving and treats the itchiness caused by irritated hair follicles. Can witch hazel change hair color? No study or research suggests that witch hazel may change one’s hair color.
