Witch Hazel Extract: The Ultimate Natural Skincare Miracle

Witch Hazel Extract: The Ultimate Guide to This Natural Skincare Wonder

What is Witch Hazel?

Witch Hazel, also called Winterbloom, refers to a group of flowering plants native to North America, Japan, and China. It has been used traditionally for medicinal and cosmetic purposes for centuries.

Extracts from Witch Hazel are commonly used in skincare products like toners and essences, valued for their astringent and vasoconstrictor properties.

These help tighten pores, reduce redness, and soothe inflamed skin.

Besides its astringent effects, Witch Hazel also boasts antimicrobial, antioxidant, and general anti-inflammatory benefits, making it a versatile ingredient for many skin concerns.

Witch Hazel is especially beneficial for oily skin types due to its ability to reduce sebum (oil) production, which can help manage shine and acne.

How Does Witch Hazel Work?

Witch Hazel extract contains various plant compounds including polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, gallic acid, and essential oils. These contribute to its powerful skin benefits.

Many of these compounds have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals that can damage skin cells and accelerate aging.

As a vasoconstrictor, Witch Hazel tightens blood vessels, which can reduce redness and swelling, especially in delicate areas like the eyelids where blood vessels are close to the surface.

Its astringent nature means it denatures proteins, pulling water and oil from the skin. This tightens pores and reduces excess oil on the face.

Witch Hazel also shows antibacterial properties, helping prevent and treat acne by reducing bacteria that cause inflammation and breakouts.

One key component, gallic acid, binds free radicals generated by sun exposure and environmental damage. This action helps protect skin DNA from mutations that could lead to cancer or premature aging.

Additionally, Witch Hazel passively absorbs sebum and restricts its production, shrinking pores and creating a less oily complexion. However, overuse can lead to dryness and irritation, so balance is important.

The Benefits of Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel offers a variety of skin benefits that make it popular in many formulations:

Antioxidant: It helps neutralize free radicals caused by pollution, sun exposure, and smoke, protecting skin from damage.

Anti-inflammatory: Reduces redness and swelling, calming irritated or sensitive skin.

Antibacterial: Helps prevent acne-causing bacteria growth, reducing breakouts and inflammation.

Astringent: Tightens pores and removes excess oil, which can improve skin texture and appearance.

Sebum-reducing: Controls oil production, especially helpful for oily and acne-prone skin.

Because of its vasoconstrictor properties, Witch Hazel is often included in eye creams to reduce puffiness and visible blood vessels around the eyes.

Is Witch Hazel Safe for Your Skin?

Witch Hazel extracts are generally considered safe for cosmetic use. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) has found no long-term safety concerns at regulated concentrations.

Some low-level cytotoxicity and inhibition of collagen synthesis have been noted, but these are not significant enough to cause problems in normal use.

People without allergies to Witch Hazel are unlikely to experience contact dermatitis or other skin sensitivities.

However, Witch Hazel is not recommended for use on open wounds, acne scabs, or broken skin, as its drying effects and vasoconstriction may delay healing.

Who Should Use Witch Hazel?

Oily Skin: Ideal for those with oily or acne-prone skin due to its sebum control and antibacterial effects.

Combination Skin: Can be used cautiously to manage oilier areas while moisturizing drier zones.

Sensitive Skin: May help reduce redness and irritation if paired with moisturizers, but use sparingly to avoid dryness.

People in Polluted Environments: Antioxidant benefits help combat environmental skin damage.

Who Should Avoid Witch Hazel?

Dry Skin: Those with dry or flaky skin may find Witch Hazel too drying as it removes essential oils.

Skin with Wounds or Scabs: Avoid application on healing skin to prevent delayed recovery.

Allergic Individuals: People allergic to Witch Hazel or related compounds should avoid it.

Witch Hazel and Acne: What You Need to Know

Acne generally results from excess sebum, clogged pores, and bacteria buildup. Witch Hazel’s oil control and antibacterial effects make it a useful ingredient for managing acne-prone skin.

However, it does not speed up healing of pimples or scabs because its vasoconstriction limits blood flow, which is needed for healing.

For active acne treatment, Witch Hazel is best used alongside proven ingredients like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, or retinoids, tailored to your skin type and acne severity.

Since Witch Hazel is an astringent, it can cause irritation or dryness in sensitive skin types. Patch testing is recommended before widespread use.

Witch Hazel for Inflammation and Sensitive Skin

Several tannins in Witch Hazel inhibit the skin’s inflammatory response to irritants. This helps reduce redness, swelling, and itching associated with conditions like eczema.

Witch Hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties calm inflamed skin but should not be used alone on dry or severely inflamed skin without moisturizing and barrier-repair ingredients.

Barrier repair ingredients like ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids are crucial when using Witch Hazel in sensitive or inflamed skin to maintain hydration and skin integrity.

Witch Hazel in Anti-Aging Skincare

Witch Hazel provides antioxidant protection that helps neutralize free radicals contributing to premature aging and sun damage.

However, it also inhibits collagen synthesis, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness. This dual effect means Witch Hazel may be a mixed bag for anti-aging.

In anti-aging regimens, it is best combined with other ingredients that stimulate collagen production, such as vitamin C, retinoids, and peptides.

Witch Hazel does not promote elastin production, another key skin protein that maintains youthful skin texture.

Using Witch Hazel for Dry Skin: Proceed with Caution

Dry skin requires moisture retention to prevent transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Witch Hazel’s sebum-reducing and astringent effects may worsen dryness if used alone.

If you have dry skin but want Witch Hazel’s benefits, pair it with moisturizers like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or fatty acids to maintain hydration and barrier function.

Avoid using Witch Hazel in high concentrations or daily if your skin tends to be dry, flaky, or irritated.

Witch Hazel for Oily Skin: A Natural Ally

Oily skin benefits the most from Witch Hazel’s ability to reduce excess sebum and minimize pore size.

By controlling oiliness, Witch Hazel reduces the environment where acne-causing bacteria thrive, helping to prevent clogged pores and breakouts.

Witch Hazel is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t block pores or contribute to acne formation.

For those allergic to Witch Hazel, alternatives include tea tree oil, peppermint oil, or honey, which also have antibacterial properties.

Witch Hazel in Skincare Products

Witch Hazel is commonly found in:

Toners and facial cleansers for oily or acne-prone skin

Anti-inflammatory creams targeting redness and irritation

Eye creams to reduce puffiness and visible blood vessels

Aftershaves and soothing gels to calm skin post-shaving or sun exposure

Our Favorite Witch Hazel Products

Thayers Witch Hazel Toner: Alcohol-free, gentle, great for oily and combination skin.

Paula’s Choice Calm Redness Relief Toner: Combines Witch Hazel with soothing ingredients for sensitive skin.

Kiehl’s Calendula Herbal Extract Toner: Uses Witch Hazel and calendula for calming and oil control.

Final Thoughts: Should You Add Witch Hazel to Your Routine?

Witch Hazel is a powerful, multifunctional skincare ingredient with proven benefits for oily and acne-prone skin, redness, and inflammation.

However, it’s important to understand your skin type and concerns before incorporating it. For dry or sensitive skin, pair it with moisturizers or choose gentler formulations.

Avoid using Witch Hazel on broken skin or scabs to prevent irritation and delayed healing.

With the right knowledge, Witch Hazel can be a valuable part of your natural skincare arsenal.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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