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Why Witch Hazel is a Problem for Skin

In the earth of natural ingredients, witch hazel has a somewhat exaggerated reputation as the solution to an countless listing of problems. Applied to skin, the benefits of witch hazel are said to include everything from reducing acne and oily peel, to soothing puffy optics and sunburn; for the body, witch hazel is said to lessen varicose veins and hemorrhoids. But just how constructive is witch hazel for skin and other problems?

Aside from the anecdotal data yous may have read, the research is mixed. Witch hazel tin indeed help skin when used as a short-term remedy, but long-term use is a problem, no affair your peel type or concern.

What is Witch Hazel?

The witch hazel constitute, Latin proper noun Hamamelis virginiana, is a flowering shrub that grows wild throughout a good portion of North America and Asia. The leaves, bark, and twigs are processed to create a clear liquid that'southward sold commercially as witch hazel. The establish extract itself is also used in topical ointments, although the toner-like liquid form is far more common for skincare and home remedies.

If you lot are wondering, is witch hazel bad for skin? The answer requires more explanation. Like many plant-derived substances, witch hazel is a source of several antioxidants, many of which benefit peel; however, ane chief antioxidant is a group of chemicals known every bit tannins. Applied to skin, tannins have a constricting and drying result. They compress proteins in skin, creating an invisible "film" that can, to a modest degree, temporarily de-grease skin and minimise the look of enlarged pores. While that's skillful for the brusque term, the long term is another story, and it doesn't have a happy ending!

The tannins in witch hazel are sensitising. Depending on the part of the witch hazel plant used to make it, witch hazel naturally contains between 8% and 12% tannins.

In improver to the tannins, almost all types of witch hazel are distilled using denatured alcohol (ethanol), with the extract containing about 14% to 15% booze. Although the distillation process destroys some of the tannins (which ironically is a expert thing, given that the tannins are irritants), applying alcohol to your skin is always a bad thing considering it generates complimentary-radical damage and impairs the skin's surface.

By the style, while a 14% to 15% booze content might seem low, research has shown that even lower amounts of alcohol tin can impairment skin.

Another concern related to long-term apply of witch hazel is the volatile oil information technology naturally contains. This oil is a source of the stiff fragrant sensitiser eugenol, which is definitely not good for skin. Taking the best care of your skin requires using ingredients that comprise only the good stuff, and none of the bad stuff.

Witch Hazel for Acne and Blemishes

A lot of people wonder if witch hazel tin can articulate up acne on the face or body. It'southward unremarkably thought that because witch hazel has "severe" backdrop, it can "dry upward" acne. Notwithstanding, acne isn't about skin being wet, so drying information technology with severe ingredients won't help. In truth, the irritation caused by the witch hazel tin make blemishes worse.

You may have also read that witch hazel's astringent activeness can aid control the microbes on pare that play a role in causing acne, but research hasn't shown that to be true. For sure, witch hazel is not a replacement for azelaic acid, a powerhouse ingredient that research has shown to soothe breakouts and fade mail-blemish marks.

Witch Hazel for Oily Skin

Witch hazel for oily peel also receives a lot of involvement. Nosotros understand how tempting a witch hazel toner sounds, as it's readily bachelor, inexpensive, natural, and seems to be a smart choice for keeping oily skin in check. Witch hazel can remove oil from the skin, but that'due south due to the denatured alcohol (ethanol) it contains.

As we mentioned above, most of the witch hazel preparations comprise between 14% and fifteen% booze, an amount that can significantly irritate skin. Even if yous don't see or feel that happening on the surface of skin, the irritation is still taking place, below the surface.

It comes down to this: Using witch hazel to control oily skin tin finish upward making information technology worse! Find out what research has shown works to get oily skin under control.

Witch Hazel every bit a Makeup Remover or Cleanser

Should yous use witch hazel as a makeup remover or cleanser? No! That's a actually bad idea, every bit the trace amounts of tannins and the alcohol content are just too sensitizing for skin, to say nothing of using witch hazel to remove eye makeup. Please don't exercise this.

There'southward too the fact that witch hazel isn't really that constructive at removing most types of makeup, especially today'due south long-wearing formulas. This poor performance might lead to you pull and tug at your skin, unlike how a gentle, efficient makeup remover works. All that extra pulling can hasten peel sagging.

Witch hazel as face wash? Well, it doesn't have much cleansing ability for skin, non when compared to a well-formulated water-soluble cleanser. Using a witch hazel confront launder shortchanges your skin of all the benefits a gentle facial cleanser can provide - and such products are much easier to use!

Does Witch Hazel Go Rid of Puffy Eyes?

If you're curious about how to go rid of puffy eyes, there's some truth to this recommendation if your under eye puffiness is due to fluid retention beneath the eyes. Witch hazel's astringent and soothing properties can reduce this type of puffiness.

However, witch hazel cannot reduce or eliminate under eye bags that occur with age. In either case, it isn't something nosotros recommend doing on a regular basis considering the resulting daily irritation volition be pro-ageing, not anti-ageing.

Witch Hazel Home Remedies

Traditionally witch hazel uses include soothing everything from bruises to insect bites. Keeping a bottle of witch hazel around the house for occasional use can brand sense. Research has shown that the calming components and antioxidants in witch hazel tin can assist ease discomfort from:

  • Insect bites and stings
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Bruises
  • Nappy rash (witch hazel ointment, non the toner-similar liquid)
  • Poison oak and poison ivy

Keep in listen: Just because something is good for acute short-term situations doesn't necessarily brand it good for long-term use. The claims for witch hazel benefits are misleading; you might meet short-term results, only ongoing utilize is probable to crusade problems.

To sum upward, witch hazel has its identify, but it's non the skincare solution it'southward often advertised as.

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References for this information:

Dermatitis, November-Dec 2022, pages 353–359
The International Encyclopedia of Adverse Drug Reactions and Interactions, 2022, pages 501–522
The Journal of Clinical and Artful Dermatology, May 2022, pages 36–44; and May 2008, pages 20–25
Journal of Inflammation, October 2022, ePublication
Journal of the German Club of Dermatology, October 2022, pages 788–796
Chemical Enquiry in Toxicology, March 2008, pages 696–704
Robbers, J. E., Speedie, M. Yard., Tyler, Five. E. Pharmacognosy and Pharmacobiotechnology, Baltimore, Physician: Williams & Wilkins, 1996
https://world wide web.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Witch%20Hazel.pdf
http://www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/Herbal_-_HMPC_assessment_report/2010/04/WC500089242.pdf

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