How to Use Witch Hazel to Clear Up Your Skin Fast

Today, we have hundreds of beauty products to choose from, such as washes, toners and scrubs. But what did people use thousands of years ago, before commercial chemicals existed, to care for their skin?

When it comes to natural skin care, one timeless plant is witch hazel. Using witch hazel for skin is an old tradition, thanks to its astringent properties. It is a popular natural option for oily and acne-prone skin. So, if you’re looking for cleaner, healthier-looking skin, witch hazel and its many benefits are worth a closer look.

What Is Witch Hazel Exactly?

• Witch hazel is a type of plant native to North America,
• a member of the Hamamelidaceae plant family.

Basic qualities of a beneficial skin toning product:

• Effectively helps balance the pH of the skin
• Helps restore your skin’s ideal pH while protecting your skin against impurities
• This Witch hazel toner contains a great deal of tannin. This substance gives it powerful cleaning and astringent properties.

How the Toner Works

• Apply a facial toner with a cotton ball at the end of your cleansing routine.
• It acts as an astringent and helps tighten the look of pores. As a result, it helps protect skin from everyday dirt and grime.
• It also helps control excess oil, which can help prevent problems such as acne and blackheads.

Some alcohol-based toners perform these functions too. However, they can dry the skin and strip away its natural balance. By contrast, this Witch hazel toner is mild, gentle and suitable for sensitive skin.

Benefits of Witch Hazel for Skin

1. Helps reduce acne
2. Calms the look of redness and oiliness
3. Helps keep the skin clean and fresh
4. Reduces the look of pores
5. Helps stop the development of blackheads and whiteheads, which can contribute to breakouts
6. Helps fight visible signs of ageing
7. Naturally tightens the skin and supports skin elasticity
8. Helps soothe the skin after shaving
9. Its antioxidant properties help reduce the look of fine lines, wrinkles and age spots

For more background on the research, Healthline explains the benefits and uses of witch hazel in more detail.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Most adults and children react well to this toner. But there’s always a chance of an allergic reaction or other irritation. This is especially true if you have sensitive skin and spend lots of time in the sun.

To be on the safe side, do a skin patch test first. Apply a small amount to a patch of skin on your arm or leg, then wait to make sure you don’t have a bad reaction.

How to use witch hazel for skin every day

• Apply it to clean skin with your hands or a cotton pad, then let it dry before you moisturise.
• Don’t squeeze a pimple, because that can make the problem worse. Instead, dab toner on the spot where you notice a pimple forming or where you tend to break out.
• Finally, use it once or twice a day as part of a simple routine: cleanse, tone, then moisturise.

A toner with witch hazel

Our Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid Clarifying Toner (R99) combines witch hazel with vitamin C and hyaluronic acid. Use it after cleansing, morning and night, then moisturise. If your skin is sensitive, patch test on your inner arm first.