Witch hazel can soothe irritated skin. It can gently remove oil and sebum from the skin's surface, making it a suitable ingredient for acne products.
“Witch hazel is a natural astringent, so it is often used to remove excess sebum and temporarily decrease the appearance of pores,” said Dr. King. The ingredient has a host of antioxidants—a big one being tannins. Tannins have a drying and tightening effect that appears to minimize large, oily pores.
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.
The active chemical compounds in witch hazel have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, which can help to temporarily minimize the appearance of large pores and redness.
We feature witch hazel in products like Exposed Skincare's Clearing Tonic or Body Wash along with other, proven acne-fighting ingredients. Both the Clearing Tonic and Body Wash also contain salicylic acid, a mild astringent that has proven especially effective with blackheads and whiteheads.
Board-Certified Dermatologist Dr. Corey L. Hartman warns that, “though witch hazel may initially improve oily skin, when used for long periods of time it can damage the barrier of the skin. Also, one of the antioxidant components of witch hazel, tannins, can be overly drying when used in excess.
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.
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.
Witch hazel, derived from flowering plants in the Hamamelidaceae family, is a great natural alternative to rubbing alcohol. It is an effective astringent, can prevent dehydration, and even reduce the swelling and irritation of inflamed skin.
Removes excess oil and helps reduce acne
Many people naturally have oily skin, but a build up of too much oil can lead to a shiny appearance, clogged pores, and acne. "Witch hazel can effectively remove excess oil from the skin, which is why it is useful in those who have acne," Zeichner says.
Anytime you accidentally find yourself with some essential oil on your skin, it's best to use soap and water to clean up. If the skin continues to be red or irritated, then apply a thin layer of Coconut Oil or Aloe Jelly to the area.
“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. Witch hazel won't improve the texture and tone of your skin, either.
Additionally, a diluted ACV solution can help to remove residual product build-up, as well as excess dirt and sebum.
The presence of acetic acid in the apple cider vinegar also helps tighten the pores and controls the production of sebum.
“Witch Hazel is best used 2-3 times a week, after cleansing, because it removes traces of cleanser, makeup, dirt, or oil.
Wait 5 to 10 minutes to see if your skin reacts. Witch hazel usually works best for oily skin because witch hazel is an astringent. If your skin reacts, you may notice red, irritated skin or a rash develop.
Because Witch Hazel contains tannins and Gallic acid, which helps with broken skin, it is safe to use on the face. As a matter of fact, according to research, applying Witch Hazel topically to the skin provides relief from skin issues like Erythema. Thus, Witch Hazel on face is safe.
Warm compress: Applying a warm compress or washcloth soaked in warm water on the bumps can help dissolve buildup. While this won't get rid of sebaceous hyperplasia, it can make the bumps smaller and less noticeable.
Use Products With Salicylic Acid
One go-to ingredient for eliminating blackheads is salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that increases cell turnover and unclogs pores, says Saedi. Suozzi adds that the acne treatment can help dry active acne lesions because it is a mild chemical irritant.