Clean, faultless skin is a dream nowadays which has been eluding many of us. Pollution, over usage of chemicals in the beauty products, unhealthy eating habits have contributed a lot to rising skin problems. They say beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. True. However, skin problems can pose a problem with your overall look. With so many skin beauty creams and products available in the market, sometimes choosing the right product can become a little tedious.
However, Witch Hazel is a medicinal plant which has gained popularity in the recent past for fighting various skin issues, such as acne, sores, swelling, etc. This plant has been proved to be a useful tool in fighting many skin irregularities.
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What is Witch Hazel
What exactly is Witch Hazel? Well, it is a plant found mainly in North America and some particular parts of Asia. In fact, it is extracted mainly from the bark as well as the leaves of the Hamamelis Virginiana.
The plant has so many benefits that many of the beauty products include Witch Hazel in their ingredients list. The plant contains properties by the name of tannins and polyphenols which are extracted from the plant and then mixed with water or alcohol in order to produce the final product. Polyphenols are known to contain compounds which are even used for making anti ageing supplements.
Benefits of Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel has many antioxidant as well as astringent advantages. These ingredients are known to assist in speed healing, thwart aging signs, put a stop to cellular damage which can even cause skin cancer.
Tannins present in the witch hazel lends a helping hand in making it natural astringent. It also removes excess of oil from one’s skin. Thus, it is the effectual treatment used for acne and has been gaining popularity as the main ingredient in anti ageing creams.
So, get a cleaner and spotless skin with Witch Hazel in a natural and safe way.
Benefits of Witch Hazel for Acne
Acne is a common skin problem faced by people worldwide. No matter what age or gender, acne is known to create hassles for everyone. Rising dust and pollution have contributed majorly to the growing problem of acne. There have been other reasons causing acne as well, such as hormones, genetics, stress, and digestive problems. Thus, many firms have ventured in the business of introducing anti ageing creams in the market.
However, Witch Hazel surpasses all such products and gives positive results for acne. The plant has many benefits when it comes to acne. Though there are no scientific studies to prove the plant’s effectiveness, there have been many case studies which reveal the benefits of Witch Hazel.
The use of Witch Hazel leads to tightening of the skin by shrinking and then pulling it. This leads to the reduction the skin pores’ size thereby reducing clogging. As we all know that pores’ clogging caused by bacteria, dead skin, and oil leads to the eruption of acne, White Hazel demolishes the
White Hazel when applied absorbs water and dries up the surplus oil. This results in pulling together of the skin tissue and shrinking of the blood capillaries which lie beneath the skin. This helps in improving the blood circulation and eradication of waste which lies beneath the skin. The White Hazel’s astringent property also lends a helping hand in balancing the pH level of the skin. This averts the formation of pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads. In all, White Hazel is a complete package for acne prevention.
Astringents when used on skin contract the large sized pores and also assist in absorbing the surplus oil from the skin. Though astringents are beneficial for acne treatment, not all astringents are good in this regard as they can be very strong and thus harsh for different skin types. However, the Witch Hazel is a very mild astringent having strong effects on acne.
The Witch Hazel contains high percentage of tannins which adds to its efficiency in handling acne. Tannins are known to possess astringent as well as anti-inflammatory properties which lead to a good treatment for acne.
Astringents properties of the Witch Hazel have received much attention in the recent past. The Witch Hazel bark is known to contain about 10% of tannin which adds to the astringent value of the said plant.
White Hazel has been proved to be an innate, placid, safe, and tender product to be used for skin. It is not like some products which are harsh on skin. Moreover, White Hazel is an anti-oxidant and anti-septic which helps in healing of the skin. It also moisturizes the skin and gently cleanses the skin. The Witch Hazel contains high quotient of antioxidants within very doses as well. This transforms the Witch Hazel into a topical cure of acne without irritating the skin. It also reduces the building up of bacteria on the skin and also speeds up the healing process. Anti-inflammatory property of the Witch Hazel also decreases the swelling caused due to acne. There is anecdotal evidence about the usefulness of the Witch Hazel in eliminating acne for all kinds of skin.
Apart from acne, White Hazel also has effects on skin issues such as Eczema, Psoriasis, Chicken Pox, Diaper rash, varicose veins, stretch marks, bruises and small cuts, and shaving rashes and cuts.
Different types of White Hazel treatments for Acne
White Hazel has numerous uses when it comes to treatment of acne. It can be either used as a principal treatment agent or even along with other remedies.
One can make use of the White Hazel gel which can have ingredients such as White Hazel, Aqua, and Glycerin. This gel has no side effects and again can be used for all age groups. Moreover, the gel has no artificial fragrance and helps in soothing and healing the skin.
Further, one can make use of White Hazel wipes in order to form homemade baby wipes. The wipes lead to faster healing of the skin and helps in getting rid of baby rashes. You can either make these wipes at home or can buy ready-made wipes. Examples of ready-made White Hazel wipes are Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel towelettes, Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Wipes, Preparation H Medicated Wipes with Aloe, and Thayer’s Astringent Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera Pads.
Moreover, White Hazel can be brought into use as a toner. You just need to wash your face with a mild cleanser and then pat dry. Then, use cotton balls soaked in alcohol free White Hazel water. You can even use a spray bottle for spraying the toner on your face. Now, remove the excess of water from your face. At last, apply your regular moisturizer and give a freshness quotient to your skin.
Preparation of Witch Hazel as different toners
One can even prepare a basic Witch Hazel toner at home. You just need 3 drops of tea tree essential oil and 3 drops of lavender essential oil. This would help you in preparing 1 oz of Witch Hazel oil.
For preparation, you need to mix the abovementioned ingredients with Witch Hazel. Now apply the toner prepared to your skin and see difference yourself. The use of this toner can lead to reduction of blemishes, acne, and spots.
In addition, you can even prepare aloe vera toner at home. You need 6 tablespoons of Witch Hazel, 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 5-10 drops lavender or tea tree essential oil or even a mixture of these two would do. Just mix all the ingredients and then apply the prepared toner on the effective area.
For making the toner using Witch Hazel and the lemon juice toner, you need 3 oz spray bottle along with Witch Hazel and lemon juice. Just fill the said bottle with Witch Hazel and then top it with lemon juice until the bottle is full. Now mix all the ingredients and then apply the toner with the use of a clean cotton ball. If the toner causes irritation, try reducing the percentage of lemon in the toner.
Another toner can be prepared while using Witch Hazel, green tea, and baking soda. For this, you need to use a glass jar having a screw lid, 2 tablespoons of Witch Hazel, lemon juice, 1cup green tea, Vitamin E oil drops, 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and few drops of tea tree essential oil. You need to first prepare the green tea by placing one tea bag in one cup of hot water for 5 minutes. Now, let the tea cool and then pour it into the clean jar mix along with other ingredients. On preparation, apply the toner twice a day on your acne spots.
In addition to the abovementioned toners, one can also prepare a toner using apple cider vinegar. For preparing this toner, you need again a glass jar having a screw lid, Witch Hazel, lavender oil essentials, and organic unprocessed apple cider vinegar. First, fill the jar with 2/3 cup of Witch Hazel and 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar. Now add a few drops of lavender oil and then mix well. You need to apply this toner 2-3 times on your face for better results.
It is advisable to keep the Witch Hazel in refrigerator before using. The coldness combined with the Witch Hazel will decrease the pimples size and its redness.
However, please check the alcohol content of the products having Witch Hazel as an ingredient. The reason is that in some products, the alcohol quotient may be too high which may harm your skin. In fact, if you have a sensitive skin, then checking the alcohol quotient is a must.
Witch Hazel Benefits Apart From Acne Treatment
The Witch Hazel is an all rounder when it comes to skin toning and cleaning. One can apply Witch Hazel for improving the skin texture in any part of the world. Here is an overview of the effects of the Witch Hazel on different skin conditions.
Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection is a condition which is quite common worldwide. However, Witch Hazel possesses antiseptic properties which can treat any kind of bacterial infections. Bacteria Staphylococcus aureus is the most common of these harmful bacteria types which can result in Eczema. However, recent studies have proven the fact that the Witch Hazel had an efficient effect on many of such dermatological problems caused by bacteria.
Moisturizer Effect
The Witch Hazel is widely used as a skin moisturizer as well. It has been observed often that the astringents can dry out the skin after use. However, the Witch Hazel is known to not cause any such dryness. If used just after taking shower, it can lend a helping hand in locking the moisture in your skin. Thus, Witch Hazel is also often used for kids suffering diaper rash or inflammation. In fact, a well established study recently established the fact that the Witch Hazel has same effects on skin as dexpanthenol. Dexpanthenol is a drug which is used majorly for treating dry skin, skin irritations, itchy skin, and other minor skin issues.
Anti-Aging
Aging is one aspect of life which can neither be reversed nor ignored. However, the effects of aging can certainly be minimized and Witch Hazel is one ingredient which can surely help in this manner. It can also decrease the appearance of fine lines as well as wrinkles. Due to the Witch Hazel’s anti-oxidant properties, it can make your skin radicals free. Moreover, Witch Hazel possesses very strong active-oxygen scavenging activity which increases the plant’s potential of working as an anti-aging and anti-wrinkle agent.
After Sun treatment
The Witch Hazel can also be brought into use as an after sun treatment among adults as well as kids. A lotion containing 10% of Witch Hazel can result in lessening of redness and burning sensation of skin caused due to exposure in the Sun. In fact, Witch Hazel can also used for treating sun burns and even minor burns.
Treatment of Puffy Eye s
Puffy eyes are again a common problems faced by all of us. These can be caused due to many reasons such as water retention, skin problems, diabetes, allergies, stress, sun exposure, or over dosage of alcohol. Next time when you suffer from puffy eyes, do not forget to apply Witch Hazel around your eyes. This would produce a cooling effect on your eyes and would thereby reduce the puffiness around your precious eyes. Since Witch Hazel tightens the skin, it also helps in reducing eye baggage and puffiness. Just soak a clean ball of cotton in Witch Hazel and apply it over your eyes. Leave it there for 5 minutes and allow it to soak into the skin. To increase its efficiency, store the Witch Hazel in a refrigerator before use.
Nourish your dry skin
There is a myth that since Witch Hazel is effective for removing excess of oil from the skin, it can be a bad idea to use it over dry skin. However, it is just the opposite as after removing the extra oil and other wastes, Witch Hazel nourishes the skin by moisturizing it and preventing from drying out. The best part about Witch Hazel is that unlike other astringents, it does not result in dry skin. In fact, it is always advisable to use Witch Hazel right after taking your shower to help retain the moisturizer quotient.
Protecting Lips, cheeks, and gums
Suffering from those irritating blisters on lips, gums, or inner cheeks? Well, Witch Hazel can be effectively used for speeding the healing process and reducing the pain as well as swelling. Moreover, it is extremely safe to use Witch Hazel inside your mouth and to even apply it on sores, blisters, bleeding gums, and infections within the mouth. In fact, Witch Hazel can also assist in removing mouth’s bad breath.
Treat Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can also be treated using Witch Hazel extracts. You can make use of readymade concoction for treating hemorrhoids or can even prepare it at home by mixing the grinded leaves and bark of Witch Hazel and then sieving and mixing it together. However, use the readymade concoction to avoid the hassles of extraction and mixing. Directly applying Witch Hazel on the area affected by hemorrhoids can be very useful. Try to use surgical cotton slabs in order to avoid any infection. Apply the cotton on the affected area for about 3minutes and then replace it with a new cotton ball. After a bowel movement, again apply the cotton ball on your private part and also during sleep, try to expose the hemorrhoids to Witch Hazel for the entire night. You can even make use of Witch Hazel suppositories in place of cotton. If you suffer from constipation, Witch Hazel’s effect may slow down on hemorrhoids. Thus, always take care to avoid constipation if you suffer from hemorrhoids.
Preventing razor burns
Another advantage of Witch Hazel is that it can help in preventing those bumps which get formed around hair follicles. Due to Witch Hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties, you can even use it for soothing any razor burns.
Refreshing your face
Feeling tired and witnessing the effect of stress on your skin? Well, Witch Hazel can be used for refreshing your face as well. Fill a spray bottle with Witch Hazel and keep the bottle handy. Whenever, you feel the need, just spray a few drops of Witch Hazel and witness a wave of freshness on your face. You can even soothe your tired eyes by placing cotton ball soaked in Witch Hazel over your eyes.
Witch Hazel Side Effects
It is not that Witch Hazel has only advantages to its share. There are still some side effects attached to it which cannot be ignored. First of all, Witch Hazel is only for external use and should not by drunk. It can cause adverse effects inside your body which may even harm your health and thus drinking it should be avoided completely.
Moreover, there may be some people who can be allergic to Witch Hazel in beauty products. Thus, it is always advisable to test a small portion of Witch Hazel on your skin before using it. If on application, your skin turns reddish or gets inflamed or you may suffer from hives, then it is always better to discontinue the usage.
If even after applying Witch Hazel for two weeks, you do not find any improvements or your condition only worsens, then it may be a symbol of a serious skin condition for which you need to see the doctor. Also stop the use of Witch Hazel immediately.
It is a doubt whether Witch Hazel can be used by pregnant women or not. Thus, always consult your doctor before using Witch Hazel.
Popular brand of witch hazel
Humphrey’s witch hazel is a popular brand of witch hazel which can be easily found everywhere. There are many stores which keep Humphrey’s witch hazel. Moreover, one can buy witch hazel at online websites such as Amazon as well. In addition, grocery stores and supermarkets can also be tried for buying Humphreys witch hazel. Moreover, you can even take the help of pharmacists for finding Humphrey’s witch hazel at drug stores.
Even after you have successfully treated your acne and other skin problems with the help of Witch Hazel, keep using it afterwards as well. After all, you need to maintain the freshness level of your face. Acne bacteria can come back and cause the recurrence of acne and other problems attached with it. However, with repeated use of Witch Hazel, you can reduce this risk. In addition, repeated usage of Witch Hazel leads to proper cleaning of the face, thereby adding to its glow. Many people have benefitted from Witch Hazel and even dermatologists recommend Witch Hazel to their patients. Many beauty products also add Witch Hazel as their ingredients owing to its immense advantages.
So, use Witch Hazel and see the difference yourself!
