10 uses for Witch Hazel extract

Witch hazel extract is a primary ingredient in many skin care products and cosmetics because it’s cleansing, non-drying, hypoallergenic, soothing, and a vasoconstrictor, which means it helps reduce swelling. It’s most often sold with the aromatic oil distilled in alcohol. It’s affordable and green, too – it doesn’t require a base or any preservatives or weird chemicals that might hurt the environment.

Note: there is no clinical data on witch hazel, which means there’s no science to show that it does or doesn’t work. These are just traditional uses many people have benefited from over the years. Never, EVER drink witch hazel extract! Some people make a tea from the actual plant and claim various benefits, but that’s not the same as what’s sold in bottles at drugstores.

1. Soothe/prevent razor burn. Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory properties stop itchy bumps from sprouting up around irritated hair follicles.
2. External hemorhoids. Combine witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorhoids. It reduces itching significantly and helps dry up any bleeding. (While cortizone and other anti-itch creams work temporarily, witch hazel really reduces the itching longterm, over time.)
3. Put it on cuts and abrasions. It’s nature’s answer to Neosporin: it cleanses the cut, protects against infection, and encourages quicker healing of minor skin breaks.
4. Dry up zits. Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a pimple. Some people claim daily use helps a lot with acne overall.
5. Soothe a sunburn. Sunburns are a type of inflammation even though they don’t look swollen. Witch hazel can reduce the swelling and speed healing.
6. Heal bruises faster. Some people claim putting witch hazel on a bruise helps it heal faster.
7. Use it on dry skin, right after bathing. Witch hazel locks in moisture. Put it on dry skin right after a shower or bath (when the most moisture has soaked into your skin).
8. Poison ivy and oak. It reduces the itching and inflammation.
9. Apply to varicose veins. Many people believe witch hazel helps to shrink varicose veins.
10. Shrink bags under your eyes. Witch hazel is found in many under-eye products. Why pay for those when you can just use it straight up under your moisturizer and/or aloe (another common ingredient in under-eye cosmetics)?

There are a lot of other uses people make of witch hazel – all of these are uses either I have tried or people I know have tried. Feel free to share your uses for it in the comments!

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Posted in Frugal, Health and Beauty on March 3, 2009