Generally, witch hazel is used as a toner. That means that you'll want to apply it after using a cleanser to re-balance skin pH. After you've washed your face thoroughly, pat it dry with a soft cloth. Then apply your favorite formulation of Thayers Witch Hazel before adding a moisturizing cream or serum.
Follow up with moisturizer: It's best to pair witch hazel with a moisturizer to avoid over-drying your skin, says Dr. Schlessinger. Otherwise, you run the risk of triggering more acne. We recommend these dermatologist-approved moisturizers for oily, acne-prone skin.
Some people apply witch hazel directly to the skin for itching, pain and swelling (inflammation), eyeinflammation, skin injury, mucous membrane inflammation, vaginal dryness after menopause, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, bruises, insect bites, minor burns, acne, sensitive scalp, and other skin irritations.
The most convenient way to add witch hazel to your skin care routine is to use it as a toner: Wash and rinse your face with a gentle cleanser, then add a few drops of witch hazel to a cotton ball and apply it to your face, says Dr. Jaliman. (There's no need to rinse it.)
A common witch hazel myth is that it will dry your skin out. However, modern witch hazel products do not have the alcohol content they formerly contained. These days, most products contain highly moisturizing components paired with the witch hazel, such as hyaluronic acid and aloe vera.
Can I use witch hazel on my face every day? A. Yes, witch hazel can be used as a natural toner, cleanser or moisturiser in your daily skincare routine. It can be used after the cleanser as a toner to target skin problems like acne, enlarged pores, redness, under-eye puffiness and more.
How often should you use witch hazel toner? In general, Dr. Shamban says you can use your witch hazel toner anywhere from twice a week to every day, depending on how your skin responds. But when it comes to an alcohol-based astringent, don't overdo it.
Many of the commercial witch hazels are blended with ethanol (or a type of alcohol used in skin care and beauty products). Avoid these. "Look for witch hazel in its pure form and not mixed with ethanol, which is overly irritating and drying to the skin," says Rabach.
“Witch Hazel is best used 2-3 times a week, after cleansing, because it removes traces of cleanser, makeup, dirt, or oil.
Using Witch Hazel Products
Spread the witch hazel mask over your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Rinse the mask off with cool water and pat your face dry. Avoid scrubbing your skin when you remove the mask since this can damage your sensitive skin.
Witch hazel has many benefits for skin, including relieving inflammation, tightening pores, and helping with razor bumps. It may also help reduce acne, since it can cleanse your skin of excess oil. However, witch hazel should not be used by people with dry or extremely sensitive skin since it can cause irritation.
Most often applied to the skin and scalp, witch hazel is widely known for its ability to ease inflammation and soothe sensitive skin. It can also be added to herbal teas and ingested orally in small amounts as a natural treatment for other conditions. Here are the top 8 benefits and uses of witch hazel.
Because of its alcohol content, the witch hazel will dry quickly—no need to rinse—and you'll be left with a clean, streak-free shine.
Does witch hazel make acne worse? Witch hazel can cause dryness and irritation if people use it in large quantities. If this happens, the irritated skin may react by producing more oil. Excess oil can clog pores and cause breakouts.
What it does: Just like a wine, witch hazel is rich in tannins. These chemicals help with skin firming by shrinking and constricting skin tissue, which gives it a smooth look. When the alcohol preparation goes on, it instantly feels cool, and in response, tissues temporarily contract and look tighter.
Witch hazel is naturally a gentle astringent by itself, which is why finding products that include it is so beneficial. Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent products are designed to help reduce oil in your trouble spots without drying out your skin.
“Witch hazel can cause skin issues but only if used too frequently. You should only be using witch hazel a few times a week to avoid over-drying or stripping away the skin's natural protective barrier,” said Nicole Hatfield, certified esthetician for Pomp & Founder of Radiant Beings Wellness & Beauty Coaching.
Witch Hazel for Oily Skin
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.
Some people may have allergic reactions to witch hazel or experience minor side effects, such as redness and itching. Due to its astringent properties, frequent witch hazel use can dry and irritate the skin. People with dry or sensitive skin should use witch hazel sparingly or avoid it entirely.
Yes, you can, but make sure you use the correct concentrate of witch hazel to avoid unwanted irritation. For a routine that already includes retinol the best way of using witch hazel is to opt for using a toner containing the gentle exfoliant.
One of the best uses for witch hazel is as a natural facial cleanser, especially when it comes to controlling excess oil. "Witch hazel is an astringent with anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties so it can effectively be used as a cleanser," explains Engelman.
Witch hazel is anti-inflammatory, calming, and an astringent. Meaning it can cleanse skin, dry out acne breakouts and tighten your skin.
Witch hazel could potentially prevent hair loss by soothing the irritation within the hair follicles that inhibits hair growth. Still, more research is needed to determine whether witch hazel is an effective hair-growth treatment.
While certain types of acne (such as cysts and pustules) are inflammatory, witch hazel may possible benefit noninflammatory acne (blackheads and whiteheads) too. The idea behind witch hazel for acne treatment is that it can act as an astringent by drying out your acne blemishes, much like other OTC treatments.
The high concentration of tannins in the product makes it a great natural astringent, removing excess oil and shrinking pores. From bruises to pigmentation to redness, witch hazel works from the inside out to heal underlying damage and broken skin, and fade dark spots.