Witch hazel's ability to cut through grease makes it great as a gentle cleanser for especially oily skin. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells.

Just use it as a toner immediately after you finish washing your face and you’ll notice a decrease in black- and whiteheads. One animal study found that tannins can act as a barrier, preventing inflammation-causing substances from entering your skin cells ( 12). The botanical extract contains antioxidant-rich tannins that deep clean and refine pores without stripping the skin entirely of its beneficial moisture barrier. The anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties act to relieve the itching, burning, and inflammation from insect bites.

Witch hazel makes a very effective household cleaner, either alone or combined with other solutions. S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, and National Science Foundation test to ensure products contain the listed ingredients without harmful contaminants. And the effects of witch hazel were less significant than those of 1 % hydrocortisone, an OTC topical steroid. Apply witch hazel to a cotton ball and gently apply to baby’s skin, or put witch hazel in a spray bottle and spritz the affected areas. Hemorrhoids are caused by the swelling and inflammation of the veins in your rectum and anus, resulting in symptoms, such as itchiness and bleeding.

More studies are needed to look at the effects of witch hazel and its potential impact on viral infections in healthy adults. Additionally, while taking 3–4 teaspoons (15–20 ml) of witch hazel per day is generally considered safe, ingesting large amounts may cause stomach irritation and vomiting ( 18). There are many species of witch hazel, but Hamamelis virginiana — a type of shrub native to North America — is most commonly used in folk medicine in the US. Anyone desiring to use witch hazel orally should seek solutions that do not contain isopropyl alcohol and are not labeled “For External Use Only”. This is a liquid that is distilled from dried leaves, bark, and partially dormant twigs of witch hazel.Doing an initial skin patch test on a small portion of your skin can help prevent unwanted side effects and skin reactions. An astringent is a substance that promotes the contraction of skin tissue, usually made with alcohol. To use witch hazel as a toner, wash your face and dry it, or use your regular skin cleanser routine. Those medications are used for treating insect bites, stings, teething, hemorrhoids, itching, irritations, and minor pain.

And compounds in witch hazel, such as safrole and phenol, have been linked to liver and kidney damage. With regular use, it acts as an antiperspirant, but it may take a few days to get perspiration regulated. It can also be added to herbal teas and ingested orally in small amounts as a natural treatment for other conditions. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.What’s more, a test-tube study showed that witch hazel helped neutralize harmful free radicals and prevented the spread of skin cancer cells ( 13). The alcohol acts as a preservative for the solution but is not necessary for the medicinal properties. Many cosmetic companies use witch hazel to make beauty aids like facial toners and wipes, acne treatments, shampoos, and aftershave. Applying a cream containing witch hazel to the skin for 14 days does not seem to improve itchy and inflamed skin in people with moderate eczema. For added pain relief, add a couple of cloves to the leaves before brewing or a single drop of clove oil after brewing.

Similarly, another animal study discovered that the tannins in witch hazel were able to slow skin tumor growth in mice exposed to radiation ( 14). Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: part I: anti-inflammatory agents. Most often applied to the skin and scalp, witch hazel is widely known for its ability to ease inflammation and soothe sensitive skin. Discovery of a quorum-sensing inhibitor of drug-resistant staphylococcal infections by structure-based virtual screening.In fact, many health and beauty products use witch hazel extract for its astringent and antioxidant properties. Most people use witch hazel for skin irritations of all kinds and find it effective as an astringent and tonic.