While witch hazel is traditionally known for its role in the drying toners and makeup removers of yesteryear, this skin care ingredient has come a long way. Witch hazel is now being incorporated into gentler versions of cleansers, creams, serums and even shampoos to treat a number of skin troubles. This plant-based ingredient is making a big comeback thanks to its versatile ability to naturally treat acne, inflammation and much more. Ready to learn more? Let’s jump in and answer questions such as:

• What is witch hazel?

• What is witch hazel good for?

• How can you use witch hazel for your skin?

What is witch hazel?

Witch hazel is a botanical extract derived from yellow-flowering plants native to North America and Asia. It’s scientifically known as Hamamelis virginiana and has been known as an effective herbal remedy for swelling and hemorrhoids for centuries. In the past, it was typically used in combination with high concentrations of ethanol as a toner or astringent, but given the negative effects that drying toners used to have on skin, today’s witch hazel is combined with gentler essences like rosewater and herbal extracts or emollient ingredients like glycerin.

What is witch hazel good for?

“Witch hazel can be a quick, natural fix to absorb excess oil and tighten skin, but in its liquid form, it is not ideal for every skin type,” says board-certified dermatologist and LovelySkin CEO Dr. Joel Schlesinger. “Though oily skin will benefit from witch hazel in its traditional toner formulation, dry or mature skin types should use it in combination with hydrating ingredients, as it will be too drying in liquid form.”

Though plant-based ingredients are becoming increasingly popular, they’re not always a good fit for everyone. “It's also important to remember that just because something is labeled as ‘natural,’ it doesn't mean it is safe for all skin types,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Natural ingredients, especially those derived from plants, are notorious for causing skin reactions, so consult with a board-certified dermatologist before incorporating a new ingredient into your regimen.”

5 benefits of witch hazel for skin

Witch hazel has been known to be anecdotally beneficial for skin conditions like acne, oily skin, inflammation, skin irritation and more. Here are its top five benefits:

1. Witch hazel reduces redness

Witch hazel contains gallic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the natural remedy effective at calming skin redness from irritation or symptoms from razor burn.

Try: Dr. Hauschka Color Correcting Powder

Neutralize unwanted redness with this mineral finishing powder that contains balancing plant extracts like anthyllis and witch hazel to help even out your skin tone. Another option is Dr. Zenovia Skincare Vitamin C Brightening Toner. This daily facial toner helps calm redness and brighten skin with witch hazel and vitamin C. It also contains REG-ulate360 Complex, a proprietary blend of antioxidants including resveratrol, vitamin E, green tea and Genistein, a plant-derived phytoestrogen that helps restore hormonally imbalance skin into a healthy state.

2. Witch hazel prevents blemishes

Witch hazel is rich in tannins (yes, the same ones we find in grapes) that give it the powerful astringent ability it’s known for. These tannins help shrink pores, tighten the surface of the skin and most importantly, absorb excess oil, making witch hazel for acne an effective choice.

Try: Replenix Blemish Clarifying Acne Treatment

A daily treatment to clear clogged pores, reduce excess oil and keep breakouts at bay, this facial serum pairs witch hazel with salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid that acts as an effective exfoliant. It also contains anti-inflammatory ingredients such as willow bark extract and green tea to help reduce post-acne redness and irritation. If you are searching for an alcohol-free toner with witch hazel that’s effective yet gentle on skin, a great option is Obagi Nu-Derm Toner #2. While its key ingredient is witch hazel, it’s also combined with soothing aloe vera and calendula to help heal sun damage. This hydrating toner helps balance your skin and prepare it for additional skin care treatments in your daily regimen.

3. Witch hazel has antibacterial properties

Witch hazel also has antibacterial properties, which means that when it comes to first aid, it can be used to help minor scrapes and cuts. This is also the reason you might find it in makeup brush cleaning solutions, and regularly cleaning your makeup brushes is one of the most important steps in keeping bacteria off of your face and dirt and grime out of your pores.

Try: jane iredale Botanical Brush Cleaner

This naturally derived makeup brush cleaner is formulated with witch hazel and alcohol to instantly dissolve buildup and oil, while eliminating bacteria from bristles. Each brush is left fluffy and soft as seaweed extracts and grapefruit oil help condition both natural and synthetic makeup brush bristles.

4. Witch hazel helps balance an oily scalp

If you struggle with a greasy scalp, witch hazel will be a must-have on your shower shelf. The tannins that are abundant in the botanical leaves in witch hazel have strong astringent properties and can help balance scalp oiliness. If your scalp is sensitive or irritated, it’s also a gentle solution to ease symptoms of itching or inflammation.

Try: Rene Furterer ASTERA Sensitive High Tolerance Shampoo

This gentle shampoo cleanses hair thoroughly while helping to encourage a balanced scalp and soothe irritation and itchiness with witch hazel, moringa extract and hydrating glycerin. It’s dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic, making it a safe choice for those who have sensitive scalps or are easily irritated by hair products.

5. Witch hazel can help ingrown hairs

Ingrown hairs are a pesky, painful skin issue that can happen when hairs grow back into your skin after shaving or waxing. “Witch hazel can reduce swelling and redness, so an ingrown hair can resolve and release on its own,” Dr. Schlessinger says.

Try: ARCONA Tabula Rasa Pads

These pre-soaked skin care pads help soothe ingrown hairs and help prevent future ones from forming with witch hazel, soothing allantoin and a combination of lactic and salicylic acids to help exfoliate skin. These ingredients also work together to help balance oil production and reduce breakouts as well.

Now that you're well-versed in the benefits of witch hazel, we have more skin care intel for you to dig into on the LovelySkin Blog, including the best skin care products for a healthy microbiome.