Witch hazel extract for skin beauty

In the modern market of skin care products, you can find thousands of all kinds of creams, tonics, scrubs, gels and washing foams. All of them are called to solve common problems one way or another: to deal with acne and allergic rashes, reduce pores and oily shine, nourish cells with much needed moisture and vitamins. However, most of the cosmetic products offered by world-renowned manufacturing companies may not only not be useful, but harmful to the skin of a person, since the composition of innovative products includes mainly components of synthetic origin.

What do connoisseurs of natural cosmetics recommend? According to the adherents of a healthy lifestyle, sharing the principle of using exclusively natural products, the best remedy for the skin remains the oil extract of witch hazel. What is it and why is it so useful?

A unique source of medicinal substances

Witch hazel is a plant that grows in North America and some regions of Asia. People from time immemorial used its leaves and bark for the preparation of astringent, possessing a high healing ability. It was used to combat acne, blisters, insect bites, dermatitis that occurs after touching a poison ivy, as well as inflammation of any kind. And this list is by no means exhaustive.

Although this miracle plant can also cure the mouth, gums and throat, people now mostly use witch hazel extract for the skin. Being a strong antioxidant, hamamelis effectively destroys bacteria that parasitize the skin pores, prevents cell damage that can lead to cancer, slows down skin aging and simultaneously accelerates its healing. An amazing substance can be found in a wide variety of products of natural cosmetics, as well as in certain medicines. For example, witch hazel extract often enriches rejuvenating serums, shaving creams, sensitive skin lotions, repellents, nail treatments, hemorrhoids, shampoos for problem hair.

How it works?

Why is a single plant with such an impressive set of useful qualities? High levels of active healing ingredients in natural witch hazel help reduce inflammation, prevent cellular decay and prevent swelling, while also alleviating the pain syndrome in the presence of open wounds.

The bark, branches and leaves of the plant are used to prepare an extract of active ingredients - polyphenols and tannins. The resulting substance is then diluted with water or alcohol to produce the finished concentrated agent, which is called "witch hazel water" or "distilled witch hazel extract". It can be used externally, applying to the surface of the skin, or taken internally as a conventional medicine to relieve the symptoms of diarrhea, colds, vomiting, cough, flu, etc.

The astringent action of a natural tonic or mask with an extract of witch hazel is due to tannins - substances responsible for cleansing the skin of excess fat. That's why this unusually useful plant is used to make all kinds of gels, foams and lotions for fighting acne and age-related rashes. Pure witch hazel extract is a 100% natural substance free from environmental contaminants and components potentially capable of causing irritation or an allergic reaction. The present concentrate also does not contain synthetic perfumes.

What will help witch hazel?

For many centuries, the bark and leaves of the plant have been used to treat and prevent the following phenomena and diseases:

• Acne;
• Damage to the skin;
• Hematomas (bruises);
• Redness and swelling;
• Ingrown hairs;
• Psoriasis and eczema;
• oily skin;
• Excessive sweating;
• Varicosity;
• Cracks and blisters;
• Insect bites;
• Dermatitis from touching poison ivy;
• Irritation of the scalp;
• Sunburn and melanoma;
• Irritation from shaving;
• Inflammation of the mucous membranes;
• hemorrhoids;
• Allergic reactions.

How to apply?

The simplest and most popular method of application is as follows. To take advantage of all the benefits that witch hazel extract has for the face and body, the natural substance is mixed with the transport (base) oil - for example, coconut oil or jojoba oil. The product is applied directly to the skin in the form of whey, lotion, tonic or cosmetic water for washing. Witch hazel has such a mild effect that it does not harm even very sensitive skin.

Against Acne

It's no secret that most often the witch hazel extract in cosmetics is used to make all kinds of products for fighting acne. However, for the timely and effective withdrawal of acne, it is not necessary to buy ready-made products in a pharmacy or a specialized store - natural concentrate will help you easily. To increase its effectiveness, you can mix the substance with any other antibacterial component, for example, with coconut oil or tea tree. The usual apple cider vinegar is also suitable.

Instead of squeezing out a festering pimple or waiting for a new red dot to "ripen", take a clean cotton ball or cotton swab, moisten it with purchased concentrate and lubricate acne of any degree of maturity several times a day.

The first signs of aging or sunburn in the sun

If you are looking for a natural way to get rid of wrinkles and slow the appearance of signs of skin aging (minor damage, redness, discoloration, dryness and swelling around the eyes), the solution to the problem lies right in front of you, in the window of the nearest pharmacy. The witch hazel extract protects against skin cancer, melanoma and other diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet due to the content of polyphenols and tannins - natural antioxidants.

Apply concentrate directly to problem areas, avoiding simultaneous application with synthetic cosmetic products that cause dryness and irritation. You can mix witch hazel with any natural oil that accelerates the healing of the skin. It is best for this purpose suitable oils evening primrose, incense and tea tree.

Insect bites

In many repellents and remedies for itching after insect bites, witch hazel is contained. Is it more useful to use pure concentrate for the same purposes? No doubt, natural witch hazel extract effectively fights not only with itching, but also with redness, pain and swelling at the site of the bite. It also prevents allergic reactions and the spread of irritation.

To combat this, synthetic creams are often used, including dexpanthenol ("Panthenol", "Bepanten"), approved for use in children from birth. Some specialists, however, prefer to recommend to their patients an extract of witch hazel instead of the usual dexpanthenol. Perhaps, it is worth trying both options and to find the best way for your skin type.