Pure formulas contain witch hazel, and nothing else. Such burns may be related to chemicals or UV-ray exposure. This may even be a safe method for razor burns (irritation you might get after shaving). Hemorrhoids are caused by the swelling and inflammation of the veins in … Learn more about the procedure…. Witch hazel may be applied directly to your scalp in the shower, or you can mix a small amount with your regular shampoo. Witch hazel is a natural remedy made from the bark and leaves of a plant called Hamamelis virginiana. According to Berkeley Wellness, an online resource for evidence-based wellness information, witch hazel is also sometimes used for the following: While witch hazel may help with some skin conditions, there are mixed results on its efficacy. Its antioxidant properties may be worth adding it to your routine. It is an astringent that can shrink pores. Even some over-the-counter (OTC) creams and ointments contain witch hazel, such as those used for bug bites or hemorrhoids. Anecdotal research on witch hazel also has mixed results. There’s not enough evidence that witch hazel can treat anti-aging concerns, either. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Witch hazel, in the right form, is best for reducing inflammation and redness, so it can be used within skincare products to help minimize inflamed acne or breakouts. Witch hazel seems to have its detractors amongst the normally sweet and generous Truth In Aging community. You don’t need to remove the oil, you need to add water. Here's how it worked on my skin. In fact, this study suggests that it has hardly any anti-inflammatory properties. Is Witch Hazel Actually Good For Your Skin? Although not all side effects are known, witch hazel topical is thought to … Another interesting characteristic of toning with witch hazel is that because it is an astringent that removes dirt, debris and oil from the skin, it will actually make the skin more oily. So, if your skin is prone to irritation anyway your best bet is to stick with a hydrating toner instead of something that will cause more irritation. If you’re not familiar with the ingredient, witch hazel is a toner made from the bark, leaves, and twigs of the witch hazel plant. “I like witch hazel-based toners for acne-prone or oily skin.”. There isn’t a tonne of information available about the key benefits of using Witch Hazel as apart of a skincare regiment but a general consensus will tell us that the presence of tannins in the witch hazel will result in dry and irritated skin. Witch hazel orignates from the United States and has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat an array of skin ailments related to irritation and inflammation. Sensitive skin types, read up. Thayers takes great effort to make sure our witch hazel contains no alcohol and virtually no eugenol so it does not irritate skin. However this doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good at treating acne, it does mean that it constricts and dries the skin, which may give the illusion that it’s making the skin cleaner. “Almost all witch hazel products rely on the skin-damaging kind of alcohol to extract the plant for use in skin care. © 2005-2020 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. (However, contrary to some information touted online, witch hazel is not a suitable sunscreen.). When applied to the skin, witch hazel-based toners have the potential to ease irritation, injury, and inflammation. Choose an alcohol-free witch hazel toner to avoid drying out your skin. They compress proteins in skin, creating an invisible “film” that can, to a minor degree, temporarily de-grease skin and minimize the look of enlarged pores. Paraben-free beauty products are ones free of certain chemicals that act as preservatives. Is Witch Hazel Good or Bad for Your Skin? When purchasing witch hazel, look for ingredients that work alongside it to hydrate and balance. Yes, the Witch can help with scars. Witch hazel is an astringent. A study of 1,373 patients tested a shampoo containing witch hazel to determine the effectiveness of witch hazel for scalp problems. Witch hazel in skin care has been used for centuries for good reason. For example, witch hazel might not be sufficient for eczema. It’s been used for centuries by Native Americans as a remedy for a variety of skin ailments related to irritation and inflammation. For example, a forum on the use of witch hazel for acne is mostly positive, but some users claim excessive dryness and even worse breakouts. Long used in traditional medicine, witch hazel is usually applied topically in order to treat certain skin conditions. Overall, witch hazel is proven as safe for the skin. They may carry some harmful health effects. According to Paula's Choice Skincare, the reason witch hazel has the tendency to dry skin when over-used is because of an antioxidant called tannins. been proven safe when applied to the scalp, a forum on the use of witch hazel for acne, (Check out Healthline’s comparison of the two. Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), L'Oreal Acquires Thayers Natural Remedies, Is The Bakuchiol Plant Endangered? It’s important you understand the risks involved with taking Witch Hazel. Witch hazel topical side effects. Another concern related to long-term use of witch hazel is the volatile oil it naturally contains. These plant-based compounds also have antioxidant effects. They do this either by drying or irritating the skin. The caveat is that witch hazel, like anything else applied to your skin, may not work for everyone. It’s also important to know that the majority of research articles that back up the benefits of witch hazel are based on topical uses only. Of course, it’s not all bad. Although the distillation process destroys some of the tannins (which ironically is a good thing, given that the tannins are irritants), applying alcohol to your skin can be deemed a bad thing because some research has shown it impairs the skin’s surface in very high concentrations. ( Log Out /  According to Dr. Akhavan, witch hazel can be a great addition to your skin-care arsenal. For that reason, it’s important to be especially mindful of how your skin responds to different ingredients. It is non-irritating to pets, helps prevent them from getting bug bites by repelling mosquitoes and other insects, can slow down itching or bleeding, and helps cleanse their skin. This is key for achieving optimal results. It has recently been accused of being a skin irritant, a red flag for rosacea, and just too mediocre to justify inclusion in expensive potions such as E’shee’s serum.I was beginning to wonder if witch hazel deserves such a bad rap. Which is of course great if you are looking for anti-aging skincare. The American Academy of Dermatology still recommends proven OTC acne treatments: benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Remember, just because witch hazel is a “natural” ingredient, this doesn’t mean that it’s right for everyone. This is why Thayer’s Witch Hazel Natural Toners and Astringents are the ideal choices for people of all skin types. 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