It can also help reduce inflammation and tighten pores for healthier-looking skin. Finally, it is antioxidant and helps control oil production, which can overall help keep skin looking its best. In short, witch hazel is an ideal toner to keep your skin looking healthy and glowing.
Dermatologists give the toner their seal of approval
"Witch hazel is a botanical ingredient used in skin care for its astringent effects on the skin," he said. "It can effectively remove oil from the skin to improve shine and minimize the appearance of pores, and may help soothe inflammation."
It's commonly thought that because witch hazel has “astringent” properties, it can “dry up” acne. However, acne isn't about skin being wet, so drying it with astringent ingredients won't help. In truth, the irritation caused by the witch hazel can make blemishes worse.
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
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.
Product instructions will vary, but for the most part, all you have to do is apply the witch hazel toner to a cotton ball or round, then dab the product across your clean, dry skin. Don't use it to remove eye makeup (it's too harsh), though witch hazel can help reduce fluid retention under the eyes.
Step Two: Toner
Yes, we do recommend using it twice a day. The reason for this is that most of our top rated Witch Hazel Toner products include extra moisturizing elements, like certified organic aloe.
How to use it: To clean out oil-ridden pores, it's best to apply witch hazel after washing your face. Use a cotton pad to avoid getting oil from your fingers on your face. It's also important to moisturize your skin after using witch hazel, as overly dried out skin can cause your body to produce even more oil.
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.
Witch hazel is also good for dry skin when paired with other nourishing ingredients, such as aloe vera and jojoba oil. As you can tell, the dynamic duo of Vitamin C and witch hazel are a winning combination when it comes to perfecting your daily skincare routine.
The Bottom Line. Overall, witch hazel is safe for your skin. It all depends on your skin type, the amount you use and what you're actually using the ingredient for. But witch hazel should always be used in moderation.
Though witch hazel may improve oily skin initially, Dr. Chwalek cautions that the ingredient could damage the barrier function of skin over time if used in excess. Also, she explains that one of the antioxidant components of witch hazel includes naturally occurring polyphenols, or tannins, which can over-dry the skin.
Witch hazel, when used regularly can diminish dark spots and blemishes, thereby improving and correcting skin tone. You can add a few drops of witch hazel to your cleanser and use the mixture to wash your face. It will also prevent excess oil production and keep acne at bay.
A toner's job is meant to gently refresh your skin without stripping it of its natural moisture. This means toner won't irritate sensitive skin or cause excessive dryness. Toner also prepares the skin to drink up your post-cleansing moisturizer and any other skin treatments that you may apply.
You definitely need to apply moisturizer after toner. Moisture is necessary for having healthy, wrinkle-free skin. After using a toner, your skin can absorb and retain moisture better than before; hence you should use a moisturizer.
Witch Hazel is generally recommended for all skin types but those that suffer from oily, combination, and acne-prone skin can all benefit greatly from introducing an alcohol free witch hazel toner to their routine.
If you're using a super gentle toner that focuses on hydration, you can most likely use it daily. However, if your toner includes stronger active ingredients like AHAs or BHAs, "it shouldn't be used more often than a couple of times weekly," Herrmann says.
This is by far the cheapest toner you can ever use. Cold water (filtered, or distilled water, not tap water) will not only hydrate your skin cells but also reduce acne inflammations and remove excess oil on your skin surface. Cold water is the best homemade toner for oily skin especially if your skin is acne prone.
“Toners can be used twice daily after cleansing, as long as your skin can tolerate the formulation.” Use a toner morning and night. But if your skin gets dry or irritated easily, try once a day or every other day.
Is Rose Water a Natural Toner? Rose water is, indeed, a natural toner. It comes from the Rosa damascena flower, commonly known as the Damask rose, and is created by distilling rose petals with steam. While it's become more popular in recent years, rose water has actually been used for centuries.
If you have mature skin...
seek out toners with antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, says Zeichner. Specific hydrating ingredients include glycerin, hyaluronic acid, rose water, Sodium PCA, Lecithin, Kauvar adds.