It’s not alcohol or peroxide, but what is it? That was the question I asked when I found out about witch hazel. It sounds like something from the old days but I never really knew what it could do for your body. Once I found out, I saw witch hazel in a whole new light and started using it almost daily!
Witch hazel (which has the species name Hamamelis virginiana), a type of plant native to North America, is a member of the Hamamelidaceae plant family. Sometimes also called winter bloom, the leaves, and bark from the plant are used to make a skin-healing astringent that’s capable of naturally reducing acne, blisters, insect bites, poison ivy, inflammation and much more. It goes back to being widely used for medicinal purposes by American Indians. Now, many more people swear by it too. Here are some of the favorite uses for this wonder product:
As a natural home remedy for acne, applying witch hazel to acne-prone skin can help slow down inflammation, redness, oiliness, and bleeding. As a natural cleanser, it’s capable of reducing bacteria growth on the skin and speeds up the time needed to heal infections or scabs.
Another benefit for sensitive skin is that it reduces the look of pores (although no product can actually shrink pores) and helps stop excess oil production, sweating, and the development of blackheads or whiteheads, which can contribute to embarrassing breakouts.
Instead of opening up a pimple and making the problem worse, apply witch hazel directly to the skin wherever you notice a zit or breakout forming. It’s even more effective when used in combination with other antibacterials like tea tree oil, coconut oil or apple cider vinegar.
Apply witch hazel with a clean cotton ball up to several times per day anywhere you experience irritation, starting slowly and giving your skin time to adjust.
Puffy eyes are another common skin problem that many people face, it can be caused by allergies, stress, overindulging in alcohol, sun exposure, cigarette smoking, and many other factors.
The next time you wake up and find yourself with puffy eyes, be sure to have some witch hazel around, and you’ll have a quick fix for that problem.
Witch hazel is known to tighten skin, which helps reduce under-eye baggage and puffiness. Just soak some cotton balls with witch hazel, and apply it to closed eyes. Let it remain for five minutes or so, allowing it to soak into the skin. Repeat one more time for
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