Witch Hazel is a Top Skin Care Trend for 2019

Are you using this anti-inflammatory for a healthier complexion?

Searches for witch hazel are up on Pinterest by over 300% right now.  I used it as a teen, and I’ve created a beautiful toner with it because I’m a dermatologist that is a fan of witch hazel.

Why is witch hazel so good for your skin?

• It cleans and removes oil without drying.
• It tones and contracts pores (dermatoloigsts would call it astringent).
• It is anti-inflammatory and soothing to facial inflammation and redness.
• There are also some proven antiseptic benefits of witch hazel bark extract in reducing Staph bacteria, Candida yeast and viruses such as herpes.
• It contains antioxidants.

As a dermatologist, I know that clean skin is better able to absorb actives in your therapeutic skin care products. Dirt, oil, dead cells and residual makeup and product block absorption. Using a witch hazel toner after cleansing your skin will get your skin even cleaner.

Clean skin usually has a more radiant, dewy and smoother texture.

What is witch hazel?

It is an extract from the bark of a plant called Hamamelis virginiana.

What is the best witch hazel to use for skin care?

The best extract with skin benefits comes from only the twigs and bark.

Some commercial witch hazel products contain a lot of alcohol, which is drying.

Not all witch hazel is the same.

I make my Naturally Hydrating Pore Minimizing Toner  with the best and highest quality organic witch hazel bark extract.

It is made with only the active portion of the witch hazel plant known to be rich in skin care benefits.

My toner also is made with the highest quality organic Bulgarian rose hydrosol.

I mix organic witch hazel bark extract with Bulgarian rose hydrosol because both sooth skin and help refine pores.

I then mix these two precious elements of the formulation with organic vegetable derived glycerin and hyaluronic acid to hydrate skin while toning pores.

My Pore Minimizing Toner is 100% vegan, made with certified organic ingredients, is eco-friendly, safe for you and the environment, and is free of artificial fragrance/dyes/colors, parabens, formaldehyde, sufates, surfactants, silicones, phthalates, petro-chemicals

I’m a dermatologist and I think witch hazel is a great addition to your skin care routine. I’m thrilled to see it trending again in 2019. This natural ingredient has been valued in skin care for centuries. Now it’s making a comeback.

Click here to learn more about my beautiful witch hazel toner - created by a dermatologist whose passion is blending the best of science and nature.

I updated this post in 2021 and witch hazel is still trending - for good reason!

References:

Masaki H, Atsumi T, Sakurai H. Protective activity of hamamelitannin on cell damage induced by superoxide anion radicals in murine dermal fibroblasts. Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Jan;18(1):59-63.

Hughes-Formella BJ, Filbry A, Gassmueller J, Rippke F. Anti-inflammatory efficacy of topical preparations with 10% hamamelis distillate in a UV erythema test. Skin Pharmacol Appl Skin Physiol. 2002 Mar-Apr;15(2):125-32.

Hughes-Formella BJ, Bohnsack K, Rippke F, Benner G, Rudolph M, Tausch I, Gassmueller J. Anti-inflammatory effect of hamamelis lotion in a UVB erythema test Dermatology. 1998;196(3):316-22

Deters A, Dauer A, Schnetz E, Fartasch M, Hensel A. High molecular compounds (polysaccharides and proanthocyanidins) from Hamamelis virginiana bark: influence on human skin keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation and influence on irritated skin. Phytochemistry. 2001 Nov;58(6):949-58.

Hörmann HP, Korting HC. Evidence for the efficacy and safety of topical herbal drugs in dermatology: Part I: Anti-inflammatory agents. Phytomedicine. 1994 Sep;1(2):161-71. doi: 10.1016/S0944-7113(11)80036-X.

Gloor M, Reichling J, Wasik B, Holzgang HE. Antiseptic effect of a topical dermatological formulation that contains Hamamelis distillate and urea. Forsch Komplementarmed Klass Naturheilkd. 2002 Jun;9(3):153-9.

Erdelmeier CA1, Cinatl J Jr, Rabenau H, Doerr HW, Biber A, Koch E. Antiviral and antiphlogistic activities of Hamamelis virginiana bark. Planta Med. 1996 Jun;62(3):241-5.

Theisen LL1, Erdelmeier CA2, Spoden GA3, Boukhallouk F3, Sausy A1, Florin L3, Muller CP1. Tannins from Hamamelis virginiana bark extract: characterization and improvement of the antiviral efficacy against influenza A virus and human papillomavirus. PLoS One. 2014 Jan 31;9(1):e88062. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088062. eCollection 2014.