Based on the anecdotal evidence, using witch hazel for skin has a holistic approach. The unique medicinal, astringent, and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel, leave us with a slew of skin benefits including acne treatments, reduced pore size, inflammation, redness, and uneven skin tone.
Read on to know more of the indispensable witch hazel benefits for skin and find out why it is not for everyone!
What is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel is a genus of flowering plants extracted from the family of Hamamelidaceae. The leaf, bark and twigs of this plant are highly potent with several skin benefits. Available in three main species, it is found in parts of North America and Asia.
Benefits of Witch Hazel for Skin
Witch Hazel is one of those rarely used natural ingredients in our beauty products due to its astringent properties. This is the reason it should be used under prescribed skin conditions and proceed after understanding your skin type. Here are the significant benefits of witch hazel for skin:
Witch Hazel for Large Pores
Witch hazel acts as a natural astringent to clear out excess sebum on the skin which is one of the main causes for large pores. It contains a host of antioxidants, one of the most common ones is that it helps in enhancing skin tightness and closing enlarged pores.
Witch Hazel for Skin Inflammation
Packed with a bundle of antioxidants. and anti-inflammatory agents, witch hazel helps in soothing skin itching, irritation, and redness. It is applied topically to get rid of skin inflammation, pain or swelling.
Witch Hazel For Acne
The anti-inflammatory and astringent properties of witch hazels help eliminate breakouts. It also helps remove excess oil production and bacteria that can cause acne or pimples.
Witch Hazel for Oily Skin
The astringent qualities of witch hazel help regulate the sebum levels in the skin. This property of witch hazel for face makes its suitable for oily and combination skin types.
Witch Hazel for Skin Texture
Witch hazel helps reduce the appearance of, balance sebum levels, and increase skin firmness. The goodness of antioxidants also help repair patchy skin and refine overall skin tone.
Witch Hazel for Sunburns
Witch hazel has tons of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory tannins to get relief from sunburns. You can use it with other ingredients like aloe vera gel to maximise the cooling effect and heal sunburns.
Witch Hazel for Puffiness
Witch hazel is one of the best natural ingredients to ease face puffiness and reduce under-eye bags. It helps stimulate blood flow to rejuvenate your skin keeping it fresh and hydrated.
How to Use Witch Hazel Into Your Skincare Routine?
Wondering- how to use witch hazel for face? The ideal way to add witch hazel to your skincare routine is to use it as a toner. Splash your face with cool water. Take a few drops of witch hazel on a cotton ball and dab it gently all over your face. Remember the tip — Less is more! Top it off with your favourite moisturiser. If you’re a sensitive skin type, do not use witch hazel in any way to avoid the risk of allergic reactions or irritation.
If you want to be wise with using witch hazel for skin, the most convenient way is to use organic face care products containing witch hazel. This way you don’t miss out the potential witch hazel benefits and even avoid allergic reactions. Make sure to follow the labelled instructions on the product.
Organic Harvest Recommended 6-in-1 Face Wash With Witch Hazel
Organic Harvest brings you a 6-in-1 Face Wash with the benefits of witch hazel (from hamamelis virginiana extract) to deeply cleanse your face with mild exfoliation. The goodness of witch hazel offers the power of 6 skin benefits of cleansing, oil control, lightening, rejuvenating, nourishing, and exfoliating. The gentle scrub particles in the face cleanser not only exfoliate the face but also retain the moisture loss.
Price: 225 INR
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Side Effects of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel for skin can get reactive. Basically, it is not for every skin type. Here are the critical pointers to keep in mind before you apply it on your skin:
- It is always advisable to do a small patch test on your hand before using it all over the face. If you see any skin reactions, discontinue use, and check with your dermatologists.
- Opt for alcohol-free witch hazel to make face toners for routine use.
- Look for moisturising ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid in witch hazel so that it doesn’t disrupt the natural moisture barrier of the skin causing dryness.
FAQs
Can I use witch hazel on my face everyday?
Yes, witch hazel is best to use as a face toner and cleanser in your daily skincare routine. Witch hazel as a face cleanser helps remove acne, reduce puffiness, and shrink enlarged pores.
Does witch hazel improve skin?
Witch hazel helps reduce puffiness on the face, soothe inflammation, and close open pores to refine the overall skin texture.
Does witch hazel brighten skin?
Witch hazel acts as a natural astringent to reduce redness on face, pigmentation and ageing spots giving you a youthful face glow.
Do I use witch hazel before or after moisturiser?
Witch Hazel is best to use a face toner and you can follow it up by a moisturiser to lock the hydration.
Is witch hazel good for your face?
Yes, witch hazel is good for oily and combination skin types to reduce excess oil, reduce redness, inflammation, and puffiness on the face to give you a radiant-looking improved skin tone.
How often should I use witch hazel on my face?
You can use witch hazel in your daily skincare routine as a face toner or cleanser based on how your skin reacts to it. In case of adverse reactions, stop the use immediately and check with your dermat.
When should I use witch hazel?
You can apply witch hazel as the second step in your CTM skincare routine which is as a face toner (once in daytime or nighttime skincare).
Conclusion
Witch hazel has mixed reviews when it comes to using it for skincare. What’s more, there’s no scientific backing that witch hazel benefits the skin. However, we can depend on the anecdotal evidence that it’s worth the hype.
Confusing, right? Start with a patch test and thank us later.