Witch Hazel tannins are mild antioxidants that are known to soothe the skin. Aloe Vera is known to keep skin hydrated. Maximum Strength 2% Salicylic Acid penetrates pores and dissolves impurities, cleansing pores from the inside-out.
Witch Hazel: One of the most natural alternatives to salicylic acid, witch hazel works as an astringent. With witch hazel, you can both tighten your skin and decrease inflammation.
Aside from the key substance (tannins), many witch hazel products contain alcohol ingredients (like ethanol) that over-dry the skin and sometimes do more harm than good. Some variations can have up to 15 percent alcohol, which might be irritating to certain skin types like people with dry, acne-prone or sensitive skin.
How does it work ? 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.
This witch-hazel-containing toner is mixed with chemical exfoliants, like alpha and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs), for a deep clean effect.
Witch hazel can be used on its own or found within skin care products such as toners. While it can't cure acne on its own, it can dry up oil and shrink blemishes in addition to relieving symptoms such as inflammation, redness and irritation. Witch hazel is easy to incorporate into your skin care routine.
Acne. 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.
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.
How does Witch Hazel differ from Rubbing Alcohol? Witch Hazel is basically a plant extract, whereas Rubbing Alcohol comes from petroleum, natural gas, coal, and other fossil fuels. While the former is mild and is safe for use in skincare, the latter is harsh and is known for its disinfecting and flammable properties.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is most commonly used as an astringent, where it works to shrink pores and tighten skin. Witch hazel also helps to slow the breakdown of the collagen and elastin within your skin.
Thayers witch hazel astringent products help fight acne and cleanse the skin by reducing oil and bacteria without drying out the skin's natural moisture barrier. Witch hazel astringents are great types of acne caused by an overproduction of oil or sebum.
5 reasons why witch hazel is so good for your skin.
It cleans skin and removes oil without being drying. It tones and contracts pores so that they appear smaller (dermatologists call this 'astringent', which means to contract tissue. In this case it is contracting your pores).
Everything has a pH value between 0 (the most acidic) and 14 (the most alkaline). Water is considered neutral at 7, and our skin is naturally moderately acidic, with a pH between 4 and 5. Witch hazel has a pH between 3 and 4.
But witch hazel won't directly treat the cause of acne or clogged pores. “For that, proven ingredients like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are the gold-standard and have years of research behind them. In fact, witch hazel can actually make blemishes worse in the long-term by causing irritation,” says Begoun.
It is safe to use products with salicylic acid every day, unless it is specified otherwise on the product usage guidelines or by your health care professional. CeraVe's SA Smoothing Cream and SA Smoothing Cleanser are suitable for daily use.
How does witch hazel tone skin? According to Nazarian, witch hazel contains something called tannins—which naturally offer astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. “So it's a toner that more deeply cleanses skin by removing surface oils and bacteria, but also a calming active ingredient,” she says.
The antibacterial activity observed in WH is thus due to other molecules present, such as the phenolic compounds reported in witch hazel (gallic acid and catechins), which are known to have antibacterial activities [21,22,32].
Does All Witch Hazel Have Alcohol? Most witch hazel extracts are distilled or otherwise extracted using alcohol.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
Witch hazel is safe to use on your face daily, however, it also depends on how your skin reacts to it. If your skin feels dry and stretchy, use it every alternate day, those with oily skin can use it every day.
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.
That sounds great, but can witch hazel ever make acne worse? Unfortunately, yes. If used too much, witch hazel can dry out your skin and lead to adverse acne effects.
Which is best, rosewater vs witch hazel? Both rosewater and witch hazel are commonly used ingredients in toner. Rosewater is a more gentle option, good for all skin types. Witch hazel tends to be a little more drying, and is better for oily skin.