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. Dr.
Can witch hazel make acne worse? Yes, it can. If skin is overly dry, one side effect is that you may experience an increase in blemishes due to your sebaceous glands overproducing oil in compensation. Acne can also worsen if witch hazel is not appropriate for your skin and causes further skin irritation.
Anecdotal research on witch hazel also has mixed results. 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.
Do a spot test first to see how your skin reacts.
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.
By now we know that witch hazel can absorb excess oil and banish blemishes, but its acne-fighting benefits don't stop there. In fact, the calming, anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel can help you reduce the size of pimples, which makes it a powerful acne treatment in its own right.
Gently Clean the Blemish
You can also use a touch of witch hazel on a cotton ball or swab. 2 Carefully dab the popped pimple with this solution a few times a day, at least until a good scab forms. Again, don't aggressively rub at it or disrupt the forming scab.
Is witch hazel good for acne? Yes, research suggests that the anti-inflammatory and astringent properties in witch hazel can minimize acne breakouts. The anti-inflammatory properties calm the skin, while the astringent properties reduce excess oil on the skin that can lead to clogged pores and breakouts.
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.
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.
Witch hazel is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when applied directly to the skin. In some people, it might cause minor skin irritation. Witch hazel is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when small doses are taken by mouth. In some people, witch hazel might cause stomach upset when taken by mouth.
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.
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.
Combining both salicylic acid and witch hazel, this is the ultimate treatment for blemish prone skin. Plus, application couldn't be easier - simply spritz and go.
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.
“Witch Hazel is best used 2-3 times a week, after cleansing, because it removes traces of cleanser, makeup, dirt, or oil.
Thayers Lavender Facial Toner has a specialized formula that includes lavender water that's known to help calm skin, soothe acne, and minimize redness and irritation. It is super gentle and ideal for use on all skin types, including as a toner for oily skin.
Wash your skin twice a day with a mild soap. Don't use a brush or washcloth — use your fingers instead. Over-the-counter skin cleansers that contain benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can be applied to affected areas to help the pimples clear.
Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, some research suggests that witch hazel could be useful in the treatment of acne. It can be applied directly to your face after cleansing or steaming for maximum effectiveness.
Don't pop or squeeze pus-filled pimples
You can cause the bacteria to spread and the inflammation to worsen.
If you're bleeding, she says to “gently blot the area with a clean tissue or cotton pad and clean the area with alcohol.” Once the blood has stopped, she advises applying a spot treatment containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid as mentioned above.
That can cause the pimple to become more red, inflamed, swollen and infected, and may even lead to permanent scarring. "It's best to let a pimple run through its life span," Rice says. Left alone, a blemish will heal itself in 3 to 7 days. Popped improperly, it can linger for weeks or lead to scarring.
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.
Brands such as Thayers, whose toners are “alcohol-free and also contain aloe vera, which make them “very gentle, healing, and hydrating,” according to Gity, are safe for even sensitive skin.
Give your skin a supersized dose of niacinamide with a serum that will reduce redness, brighten the skin, and lessen the size of your pores. This 2-in-1 clarifying toner and serum features multiple beneficial skincare ingredients including salicylic acid, witch hazel, and niacinamide.