Witch Hazel Uses for Skin

Witch Hazel Uses for Skin

You must have heard about the astringent and antioxidant properties of witch hazel. This skin friendly ingredient is also rich in antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. There are innumerable uses of witch hazel in skin care like many people use it to tone and tighten their skin pores while other use it to get rid of excessive oils, dark marks, dirty skin, inflamed skin, and in problems like acne, wrinkles, eczema, psoriasis etc. Following are some known uses of witch hazel in skin care.

Benefits, Uses of Witch Hazel for the Skin

Homemade Astringent

Avoid those stinging alcohol based astringents and create your own and for this soak some hazel bark in a cup of water for 30 minutes. Now, boil the mixture and then simmer it for a few minutes. Lastly, steep for 10 minutes and then strain it. Apply it on your skin by using a cotton ball.

Hazel Extract

Apply it on your skin to clean and tighten it. If you have dry or normal skin then you may also use some drops of olive or almond oil with it.

Puffy Eye Problem

Simply place a witch hazel soaked cotton balls under your eyes to get rid of puffiness.

Witch Hazel for Acne

Here you have two options either you can use an infusion of bark or use a face mask. Lets discuss then one by one. To make its infusion- Steep its bark in water for 15 minutes. Strain it and use a cotton ball to apply it on the affected areas. Create facial mask by mixing one mashed banana, two teaspoons of organic honey, and one teaspoon each of hazel and tea tree oil. Spread it on your face and remove it after some time.

If you have a problem of zits and pimples then mix witch hazel and rubbing alcohol in equal quantity and apply it on the problem areas.

Natural Toner

A combination of cucumber paste and witch hazel extract can be used as a toner.

Body Lotion Recipe

Make your own hydrating body lotion recipe. Simply mix ¼ cup each of rose water, glycerin with one tbsp of almond oil and 2 tbsp. of hazel. Use this recipe after bath or when ever your want to moisturize your skin.

After Shave Lotion

Shaving makes your skin more susceptible to infections so, here you can make an after shave recipe by using disinfectant properties of witch hazel. To make this recipe steep ½ cup of peppermint leaves in ½ of boiling water for a few minutes. Then, add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil, and one spoons each of hazel extract and apple cider vinegar. Use it after shaving your skin.

Sunburn Relief

Anti-inflammatory and healing effects of witch hazel help soothe and heal sunburned skin. To use it for sunburn relief, steep witch hazel leaves with a cup of water. Once it is cool, apply it on the affected sites.

Treat Greasy Skin

If your skin is greasy then you can get rid of it by using a solution made by mixing hazel extract and lemon juice.

Face Mask for Very Oily Skin

Make a paste of fuller’s earth and witch hazel extract. Add some honey to it and smooth it over your skin. This will also help treat the problem of blemishes and pigmentation marks.

These were some uses of witch hazel in skin care. It can also be used to treat various other issues such as diaper rashes, insect bites, irritations, rashes etc.