Witch Hazel 2.0: Why This Classic Ingredient is Trending Again in Skincar

You’d be hard-pressed to find a skin ingredient that stupefies more generations than witch hazel. From a centuries-old medicinal cure-all to a teenage prerequisite for casting away acne, witch hazel has evolved as a cast-away for practically all evil skin woes. But has the purifying herb always had a squeaky-clean reputation?

Cast as one of those skin-stripping solutions of yesteryears, witch hazel lurked under the astringent category and garnered a reputation for drying out the skin. The magic botanical is making a major comeback from its witch hunt days to becoming a mainstay in modern skincare formulations that cater to all skin types.

Keep reading to learn about witch hazel, its modern resurgence in trending products and formulations, and how this spellbinding herb has evolved from a drying agent to a hydrating, multi-tasking ingredient – plus how this bewitching brew can benefit your skincare routine today.

What Is Witch Hazel? Origins and Benefits

Witch hazel, also known as winter bloom, is a petite blooming tree or large shrub with soft yellow fringe-like petals. As the name suggests, these trees can be seen blooming even in icy and harsh winter weather—a sure sign of a powerful plant with medicinal or healing properties. The clear liquid is extracted from the bark, leaves, and twigs of the North American Hamamelis virginiana plant and distilled to create the witch hazel astringent we’re most familiar with today.

Is this unassuming botanical brew embraced by witches, or does it have some concrete historical roots? It turns out American Natives and people across the globe have utilized witch hazel throughout history. They’ve applied it for oral and topical uses, addressing digestive and inflammatory skin issues.

This yellow-flowered herb is mostly found in China and America. Witch Hazel is also called a natural astringent as it not only cleanses the skin but it also minimizes pores and helps control oil. Due to its multi-purpose nature, witch hazel is used in many skincare products. From decreasing inflammation to combatting acne, this wicked skin powerhouse has a wide spectrum of benefits for the skin.

Here are 3 of the top reasons we’re obsessed with the antioxidant, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel:

#1: Relieves inflammation
Witch hazel contains many compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, including gallic acid and tannins, which help reduce skin irritations and swelling. Gallic acid is a type of phenolic acid that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. It helps protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Tannins are a type of polyphenol that has astringent properties that can help tighten and tone the skin. Tannins also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Witch hazel can also quickly reduce acne-associated inflammation and prevent bacteria from spreading, leaving you with clearer, smoother skin.

#2: Antiseptic
Witch hazel has antiseptic properties that can help treat redness and soothe irritated skin. The powerful ingredient can also help disinfect minor cuts and scrapes and combined with its anti-inflammatory properties, it’s also great for minor skin irritations. The medicinal plant is also great for treating poison ivy and nettle stings. 

#3. Antioxidant
Witch hazel contains phenolic compounds which are natural substances that can provide significant benefits for the skin by acting as antioxidants, potentially helping to combat signs of aging and protecting against free radical damage to help maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin.

We know witch hazel has boundless benefits for the skin, as evidenced by the botanical’s recorded decades of usage. It’s precisely why the 100% PURE Lavender Niacinamide Pore Minimizer Tonique is a fan favorite! Suitable for all skin types, this gentle, witch hazel-infused toner purifies and refreshes the skin. With a base of calming aloe and lavender extract, this toner also soothes active breakouts and dryness.

How Witch Hazel is Used in Modern Skincare

In the past, witch hazel got a wicked reputation for haunting and harming skin. Between its astringent properties, which come from tannins naturally found in the plant, and the addition of alcohol used in the distillation process, conventional witch hazel products dried out the skin. The alcohol-based formulas further stripped moisture from the skin, damaging the skin barrier, and leading to excessive dryness and irritation.

However, as people have become more conscious of their health and the environment, the appeal of natural skincare has surged in popularity. Now, more than ever, consumers are becoming label readers – especially in the skincare realm –where traditional, harsh formulations are fading quicker than the Wicked Witch of the West. This trend is a response to the concerns surrounding the use of chemicals present in conventional skincare items. In its place are natural, gentler options with hydrating and skin-soothing ingredients.

Given the negative effects that drying astringents used to have on the skin, there have been new product innovations to counter the adverse skin effects. Today’s witch hazel is combined with gentler, calming herbal extracts, emollient ingredients like glycerin, and other complementary ingredients.

Hyaluronic Acid:

Often referred to as a “moisture magnet,” hyaluronic acid is prized for its exceptional ability to hold water – up to 1000 times its weight! Acting as a humectant, hyaluronic acid draws and retains water on the skin’s surface, providing a plump and youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid helps strengthen the skin barrier, which in turn helps protect the skin from environmental stressors and reduces moisture loss.

One of the great things about hyaluronic acid is its compatibility with all skin types. Whether you have dry, oily, combination, or sensitive skin, hyaluronic acid is a beneficial ingredient with witch hazel.

Niacinamide:

One of niacinamide’s standout qualities is its ability to bolster the skin’s natural barrier by increasing the production of ceramides, the lipids that help retain moisture. A stronger barrier means better protection against environmental stressors, improved hydration, and less irritation, making the skin more resilient.

Regular use can fade discoloration and reduce the appearance of pores and textured skin, leading to a brighter, more radiant complexion. Unlike many active ingredients, niacinamide is well-tolerated across all skin types, from sensitive to oily, making it a go-to for anyone looking to use it in a witch hazel formula.

Rose Water:

Rose water is one of the better-known ingredients used to calm and soothe sensitive skin. Moisture is also key for healthy-looking skin, and rose water is a natural hydrator. With its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, rose water can provide relief for those suffering from irritated skin, acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Incorporating the right ingredients into your skincare routine is crucial to keep your skin barrier strong

and healthy –and marine ingredients and witch hazel check that box! The 100% PURE Restorative Sea Culture Hydrating Toner is packed with essential mineral-rich marine ingredients that deeply hydrate and prep the skin to absorb moisture better, and it’s ideal for mature skin needing a moisture boost during the harsh winter months.

Who Should Use Witch Hazel? A Guide for All Skin Types

While we love witch hazel as a natural skincare ingredient, it’s still important that we make sure ingredients and formulas work for our skin before adopting them into our skincare routine. Witch hazel can be beneficial for all skin types.

For oily, combination, and acne-prone skin types, witch hazel can balance the skin, while mildly dry skin types can look forward to the calming and balancing effects of using witch hazel toner. It’s a great remedy for calming a breakout or skin reaction or providing soothing properties for mature and sensitive skin types.

Let’s delve into the skin benefits of witch hazel for different skin types:

Oily Skin:

Witch hazel helps oily skin by acting as an astringent, meaning it can temporarily tighten pores and absorb excess oil on the skin’s surface due to its tannin content, which helps to reduce shine and control sebum production, making it a beneficial ingredient for managing oily skin concerns like enlarged pores and acne. By contracting the pores, witch hazel can help to minimize their visible size, contributing to a smoother skin texture. 

Acne-Prone Skin:

Witch hazel can help with acne-prone skin by reducing inflammation, shrinking pores, and disinfecting the skin. Thanks to its content of tannins and polyphenols, witch hazel can soothe irritated skin and reduce redness and swelling. Its antibacterial properties can disinfect the skin of acne-causing bacteria and soothe inflammation. 

Sensitive Skin:

Witch hazel is widely known for its ability to ease inflammation and soothe sensitive skin. Modern formulations of witch hazel with soothing ingredients can prevent irritation and soothe and calm sensitive skin. Witch hazel can help sensitive skin by reducing inflammation, redness, and swelling. Witch hazel contains tannins, which act as vasoconstrictors to reduce redness, swelling, and puffiness.

Mature Skin:

Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can help with mature skin by protecting it from free radical damage caused by UV rays and air pollution that can lead to premature aging. It can also help improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Witch hazel contains polyphenols that help protect the skin from UV damage and retain collagen. Witch hazel’s astringent properties can make skin look firmer by gently compressing blood vessels and drawing water out of the skin. 

Remember when we mentioned the conventional wicked witch hazel formulas that are not good for the skin? It’s the alcohol content that can dry out the skin and strip it of essential moisture, harming the protective skin barrier. Be sure to choose alcohol-free formulations for a gentler experience.

Modern Witch Hazel Products You’ll Love

At 100% PURE, we bring innovative skincare and beauty products that are made from nature’s wealthy resources – and witch hazel is no exception! The best way to do that is to protect our plants and research their properties. As witch hazel is an herb that has not only skin benefits but medicinal advantages, we created multiple products from the beauty botanical used in our top skincare formulas and beyond.

Below, we have listed our must-try products that have witch hazel as one of the main ingredients.

1. Toners:

Our hydrating formulas feature witch hazel plus humectants for sensitive or dry skin.

100% PURE Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent 

This clarifying astringent soothes and hydrates the skin. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of this astringent are best for calming inflamed and irritated skin. With neem, rosemary, tea tree, and witch hazel, it fights acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, delivering faster recovery and reduced scarring in just one step.

100% PURE Flower Water Toner

This gentle toner is made from all the natural flower beauties like rose hydrosol, calendula hydrosol, and witch hazel. The non-irritating formula is suitable for all skin types. It helps in balancing the skin’s pH level, which can reduce oiliness in the skin while also providing moisture to dry skin

100% PURE Fermented Rice Water Toner

Unlike traditional toners that might contain drying alcohol, this antioxidant-rich, gentle formula infuses your skin with moisture-binding ingredients that help skin retain moisture and improve skin tone while combating winter dryness. This brightening facial toner uses enzymes and amino acids from fermented rice water (Sake) to brighten, hydrate, plump, and deeply soften skin.

2. Cleansing Pads:

Cleansing pads offer a convenient way to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from the face, often with gentle exfoliation, leaving skin feeling clean and fresh while being particularly useful for quickly removing stubborn makeup and minimizing the risk of bacterial contamination due to their single-use nature. Cleansing pads infused with aloe are great for sensitive and mature skin and make a convenient option post-gym or travel use.

3. Serums:

Use hybrid toner-serums for targeted concerns like hyperpigmentation and pore size. A toner-serum hybrid is a skincare product that combines the properties of a toner and a serum. It’s also known as an essence, tonique, or treatment essence. Great for all skin types, our Lavender Niacinamide Pore Minimizing Tonique has a base of calming aloe and lavender extract which help to soothe active breakouts, dryness, and imbalances in the skin. Witch hazel water makes a stunning performance of balancing and tightening tired, puffy fall and winter skin.

4. Hair Care:

You know a skincare ingredient is a must-try when it works well for the skin of both your face and scalp. Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema make the scalp extremely sensitive to any product that touches it. It even makes it difficult for the person to use regular shampoo and conditioners, which is why products with witch hazel are effective for extra-sensitive scalps. Witch Hazel can even be applied directly on the scalp to eradicate the sebum and dead cell build-up. For sensitive scalps, it is highly recommended to use witch hazel by diluting it in water. After using it, your scalp will be clean with no flakes and dandruff with reduced redness.

5. Bath Products:

Incorporating witch hazel-infused bath oils and creams can offer full-body hydration and calming effects, which is especially beneficial during the dry, cold months. Witch hazel-infused bath oils are a versatile and multipurpose bath gem that can support your skin’s health and enhance your well-being. Infused with the gentle yet potent properties of witch hazel, these infused bath oils and silky-smooth creams are great bath products that can serve as natural skin tonics and aromatherapy remedies, offering a holistic approach to self-care.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Witch Hazel

Is witch hazel good for improving skin tone?

The natural astringent is great for improving the natural tone and texture of skin tone. It erases the marks of external aggressors like sunburn due to sun rays, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and discoloration.

Can I use witch hazel daily and is it safe for sensitive skin?

Skincare products like toners, moisturizers, and cleansers that use very low concentrations of witch hazel can be used daily. Modern formulations with added soothing ingredients like rose water and hyaluronic acid are gentle enough for sensitive skin.

Does witch hazel shrink pores?

It temporarily minimizes the appearance of pores by tightening the skin.

Can witch hazel help with acne?

Yes, its anti-inflammatory and oil-controlling properties make it effective for managing acne.

How does witch hazel compare to toners without it?

Witch hazel toners offer added benefits like oil control, pore minimization, and redness reduction.

Conclusion

We’ve discovered now through our witch hazel journey that the influence this ingredient has is well-deserved. While being a super accessible ingredient, witch hazel continues to gently improve the skin.

And the benefits don’t stop there!

We know from historical data that witch hazel is prized for its medicinal and health benefits. Today’s use of witch hazel not only cleanses the skin but also minimizes pores and helps control oil. Due to its multi-purpose nature, witch hazel is used in many skincare products. From decreasing inflammation to combatting acne, this wicked skin powerhouse has a wide spectrum of benefits for the skin.

For those of us asking, “Is witch hazel good for skin?” We can firmly say that witch hazel benefits make this ingredient a total win in our books. At 100% PURE, we encourage our readers to explore 100% PURE’s hydrating and balancing witch hazel-infused products for a fresh take on this classic ingredient. Be sure to check out 100% PURE’s skincare collection today and discover the new era of witch hazel.

As we conclude from the first or old, alcohol-laden astringents of yesteryears, we’re reminded of how beneficial and timeless witch hazel has been as an ingredient that has transcended centuries and generations. Its evolution from a drying agent to a multi-functional ingredient has made it a must-have for modern skincare and is why the new and improved version of Witch Hazel 2.0 is trending again.