Witch hazel makes a fantastic toner. In fact, it is one of the best ways to remove dirt, grime, and excess traces of makeup at the end of the day to keep your skin looking clear and beautiful. Plus, it acts as a great base for moisturizers and other serums.
Since witch hazel can have a drying effect, Dr. Chwalek favors products that include moisturizing humectants, like glycerin, and other gentle ingredients, like rose extract and niacinamide, that can calm skin irritation and offset any irritation or dryness.
When applied topically to the skin, witch hazel can reduce redness, soothe the skin, and treat sunburns. Witch hazel soothes irritation and itchiness. Witch hazel can relieve itchiness, including minor skin irritations from insect bites, eczema, psoriasis, diaper rash, and hemorrhoids.
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 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 acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation.
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, 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.
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.
Natalie Aguilar has simple advice for incorporating witch hazel into your routine. “Witch Hazel is best used 2-3 times a week, after cleansing, because it removes traces of cleanser, makeup, dirt, or oil.
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.
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.)
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.
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."
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.
What is witch hazel used for? Since witch hazel has antioxidant, astringent, and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, it can serve many purposes. "It can be used as a toner to treat acne and oily skin," says Jennifer Chwalek, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology.
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.
Get ready to meet the easiest step of your skin care routine. 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.
Can witch hazel reduce acne scars? Current research does not show that witch hazel can reduce the appearance of acne scars. However, it can calm the inflammation and redness that acne causes.
Reduce Scars
Since stretch marks are a type of scar, it should come as no surprise that witch hazel can help reduce their appearance, too. "It can be used to help loose or excessive skin around scars or stretch marks to tighten the skin, helping to minimize the scar," Engelman explains.
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.
The anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness and decrease inflammation, while soothing irritated skin. Studies also show that rosewater may kill the bacteria associated with acne to keep your face balanced.
The Bottom line: Witch hazel may be a great way to look younger right now, but long term, don't expect it to prevent wrinkles. You should also be wary of a cream that touts it as its miracle ingredient—once the shrinking effect wears off, your wrinkles will be more noticeable.
Salicylic acid can be helpful for all types of acne.” Salicylic acid is a go-to OTC ingredient for acne since it dissolves the dead skin cells in clogged pores, helping treat existing acne and prevent future breakouts.
Yes, witch hazel is good and can provide excellent benefits to any skin type when used correctly as part of a daily routine. Witch Hazel is the hero ingredient in facial toners because it does an excellent job at removing excess sebum without being harsh enough to strip the skin of its natural oils.