5 Reasons Why Witch Hazel is the Bomb (Dot) Com

You’ve heard of witch hazel, right? Without getting too science-y, witch hazel in the astringent form {which I’ll be talking about today} is derived from the bark and leaves of the North American shrub, Hamamelis Virginiana. I’ve mentioned witch hazel in this DIY yoga mat cleaner post, but there are so many other uses for it. It’s insane. Even better? It’s really inexpensive. You can find it online or at your local drugstore for under $10. 

DISCLAIMER: Witch hazel is very safe to use, and has been used for many many years, but everyone’s skin reacts differently to products. Before you go slathering it all over, apply a small amount to a patch of skin to make sure you don’t have a negative reaction. 

1. Removes Excess Oil & Shrinks Pores

I honestly haven’t been the best when it comes to using all-natural skincare. I go through phases when I’m super into it. Terrible, I know. I need to hop back on that bandwagon and just get rid of all the products I shouldn’t be using. 

In terms of natural skincare, one of the ways you can use witch hazel is as a toner. It’s great for removing excess oil and shrinking your pores after cleansing. If you have dry skin like me, I HIGHLY recommend that you mix the witch hazel with water. I’ve always found that using it straight up is way too drying for my skin. Start slow and use it every other day at first. 

2. Reduces Acne Inflammation

You all know how much I am obsessed with the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, because it’s literally the best acne spot treatment ever. However, sometimes even that doesn’t work as quickly as I’d like. Once in a while, I get a breakout that’s not only hideous to look at, but also super painful. You guys know what I’m talking about. The kind of breakout where it just seems to linger and it hurts to even wash your face. Here’s what I do.   

Place a tiny bit of witch hazel and tea tree oil on a q-tip and dab LIGHTLY on the breakout. Don’t press hard or poke at it. As much as you watch it pick at it, leave it alone. Step away from the mirror and pretend it’s not even there. It’s better to let the infected area breath as much as possible, but if it’s late at night, sometimes I’ll cover it with a tiny bandaid to keep the product in place. 

3. Relieves Painful Sunburn

Ouch. Sometimes no matter how often I reapply sunblock, I inevitable still get a bit burnt. When this happens, I always apply aloe directly to the burn. I recently read that adding a few drops of witch hazel to the aloe can speed up the healing process and lessen peeling. I haven’t tried this yet, but it sounds promising! If you’ve tried this, comment below and let me know your thoughts.  

4. Fights Puffy Eyes

We’ve all been there. You stay up marathoning Netflix too long and wake up the next morning with the look of death under your eyes. Well, my friends…witch hazel is here to help you look like a functioning human again. 

Soak two cotton pads in witch hazel {if you have sensitive skin mix with water}, and set them on top of your eyelids. Keep your eyes closed for at least a few minutes, longer if you have time. 

5. Calms Skin Post-Shaving

This tip comes from Bryan: use witch hazel as an after-shave! I’ll be honest, I see Bryan using witch hazel more frequently than I do. He’ll be the first to admit that he’s not into natural product at all, but this one he’s ALL ABOUT.

Witch hazel is great as an after-shave because it stops any bleeding from cuts and prevents razor burn. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help stop itchy bumps from forming around your hair follicles. 

// What ways do you use witch hazel? Comment below and let me know!