Sure, there may be temporary benefits that trick you into thinking this is your new holy grail product, but you might find yourself disappointed in the long run. People often give witch hazel too much credit as a cure for breakouts. After all, formulation matters much more in skincare than any single ingredient.
#WITCH HAZEL FOR SKIN SKIN#
Used with other actives and in the right context, witch hazel can be beneficial for most skin types. Though sometimes too strong in its pure form, witch hazel is a star ingredient when utilized in smaller concentrations. Folks with sensitive skin might want to stick to their usual products. These factors make witch hazel better suited for those with normal to oily skin. Additionally, witch hazel contains eugenol, a natural but often sensitizing essential oil that many folks won’t want on their skin. If you want to read more on this topic, our blog about alcohol in skincare goes into further detail. Large concentrations of alcohol can impair your skin barrier by disrupting your natural oil balance, leading to dryness and irritation. Tannins aside, witch hazel is also often distilled using ethanol (denatured alcohol), with the extract containing between 14% and 15% alcohol. As I mentioned previously, tannins offer a drying and tightening effect, which can be sensitizing to the skin over time.
The exact amount differs in each part of the plant, but witch hazel naturally contains between 8% and 12% tannins. Folks with dry or sensitive skin might want to be more mindful about adding it to their skincare routine. While the benefits of witch hazel have made it a staple ingredient for some households, it does still require a certain level of caution. Tannins, alongside a high alcohol content, are one of the primary reasons why witch hazel is not for everyone.įun Fact: Tannins are not unique to witch hazel! You can find them in tea and wine as well. However, long-term use can lead to dryness and irritation for some. This is part of what makes it a popular choice for things like facial toners.ĭue to the antioxidants that help prevent inflammation, it may even help reduce the appearance of red, blotchy skin. This means that witch hazel temporarily reduces pore size by absorbing excess oil and causing nearby cells to constrict. Tannins are astringents that are known to dry and tighten the skin. Its primary source comes from a group of chemical compounds called tannins. Most plant-derived substances are rich in antioxidants, and witch hazel is no exception.
It can even be found in some moisturizers! But don’t worry, it’s not often a large enough amount to cause any irritation. You can find it on the ingredient list in many skincare products, from your toners to your acne treatments. While generally used on its own, witch hazel also works well in conjunction with other actives.
While witch hazel does have benefits, the alcohol content has some people divided on whether they outweigh the possible negative side effects. It is distilled with alcohol to bring out the active compounds in the plant, with witch hazel extract containing about 14% to 15% alcohol. The witch hazel you might be familiar with is a clear liquid extracted from the plant’s leaves, bark, and twigs. It has long been used for a variety of minor ailments by Native Americans throughout history. Witch hazel, or Hamamelis virginiana, is a flowering shrub native to North America and parts of Asia. We’re going to decide if witch hazel deserves the hype. So if you’ve considered adding witch hazel to your arsenal, or if you’re just here to learn for education’s sake, stick around. What might be an ideal ingredient for most might not always work for you. I believe it’s crucial to know exactly what goes into your products and the effect they have on your skin. That being said, I strive to teach people the importance of caring for their skin with the right ingredients. Don’t get me wrong, witch hazel is a useful ingredient in the right context. Personally, I find it to be a little overused. Witch hazel has a prominent role in the health and beauty industry.
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