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.
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.
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.
Witch hazel contains astringent properties which means it has the ability to tighten and shrink your pores temporarily. A lot of beauty brands use witch hazel instead of alcohol in their toners to close pores and tighten cell gaps, thereby reducing the penetration of impurities into the skin.
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.
“Witch Hazel is best used 2-3 times a week, after cleansing, because it removes traces of cleanser, makeup, dirt, or oil.
Witch hazel has also been proven safe when applied to the scalp. Witch hazel may also help under-eye bags. However, it should not be applied directly in the eyes, or else you could risk burns.
It uses a base of rose water, which helps to balance the skin's pH, while the aloe cools and soothes any irritation, says Dr. Jaliman. “This toner uses witch hazel as a key ingredient to tighten the skin and fight aging by reducing inflammation,” says Dr.
They compress proteins in skin, creating an invisible “film” that can, to a minor degree, temporarily de-grease skin and minimize the look of enlarged pores. While that's good for the short term, the long-term effects of witch hazel usage is another story, and it doesn't have a happy ending.
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.
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.
Although muscle tone can be tightened with targeted exercises, surgery is the only solution to remove excess skin. Surgical removal of excess skin and tissue with a thigh lift can slim the lines of the inner and outer thighs.
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.
Toner can do some unexpected things for your skin, like soothe stinging or otherwise sensitized skin or help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Just look at what toner does for your skin: Rid the skin of excess impurities and oil.
Can you use retinol and witch hazel together? Yes, you can, but make sure you use the correct concentrate of witch hazel to avoid unwanted irritation. For a routine that already includes retinol the best way of using witch hazel is to opt for using a toner containing the gentle exfoliant.
Many people have reported that witch hazel has helped with their hair loss. That's because it works to increase blood circulation in the scalp, delivering vital nutrients to the hair follicles, which can stimulate healthy growth.
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.
Studies show that allergic reactions to witch hazel are rare. 1 Healthcare providers consider witch hazel safe when applied to the skin, but not when swallowed. Ingesting witch hazel can cause problems like nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.
Tea Tree Oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties to promote clearer complexion while ultra-soothing Witch Hazel helps to keep skin clean and healthy. This gentle toner helps to remove makeup and grime to deep clean pores while promoting a clearer, healthier-looking complexion.
Dr. Chwalek says that witch hazel can be safe for skin in limited amounts, but since it's sometimes distilled with alcohol, she says it can be overly drying if used too much. So, when shopping for a witch hazel product, be sure to check the label for problematic drying ingredients, like denatured alcohol.
Evens Skin Tone & Helps Heal Bruises
Including witch hazel in your cleanser can help keep your skin clear and smooth without drying it out. It can also help even out your skin tone. “Witch hazel is known to treat blemishes on the face and the entire body,” says Matles.