Does Witch Hazel Do Anything?

Gentlemen,
Just like many guys (“dudes” if you’re an Instagrammer) I splash on some witch hazel between rinsing and aftershave.
Not entirely sure why I do…
I’ve used Thayers, St Clare and even an all natural that I got from some farm in Mo.
What does this Witch Hazel do for me?
What the hell is an astringent anyway?

By the way, there an organic witch hazel producer in AL well regarded. The difference is incredible re skin effects

https://www.google.com/amp/s/scienceands...-skin/amp/

8 Benefits and Uses of Witch Hazel

Written by Rachael Link, MS, RD on July 16, 2018

Witch hazel is a plant with powerful medicinal properties that can be used in a variety of ways.

There are many species of witch hazel, but Hamamelis virginiana — a type of shrub native to North America — is most commonly used in folk medicine in the US. The leaves and bark are made into teas and ointments.

Most often applied to the skin and scalp, witch hazel is widely known for its ability to ease inflammation and soothe sensitive skin.

It can also be added to herbal teas and ingested orally in small amounts as a natural treatment for other conditions.

Here are the top 8 benefits and uses of witch hazel.

1. Relieves Inflammation


Inflammation is a normal immune response designed to protect your body against injury and infection.

However, chronic inflammation is thought to play a central role in the development of certain diseases 

Witch hazel contains many compounds with potent anti-inflammatory properties, including gallic acid and tannins.

It also contains antioxidants that help prevent widespread inflammation and neutralize free radicals, which are disease-causing compounds that can build up in your body 

Therefore, witch hazel could have far-reaching benefits and may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory-related issues, such as acne, eczema or psoriasis.

Studies show that topically-applied witch hazel can effectively reduce inflammation and help soothe your skin

SUMMARY
Witch hazel contains many compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, which may have far-reaching benefits for your health.

2. Reduces Skin Irritation

Sensitive skin, defined by abnormal sensory symptoms, is a very common condition, affecting an estimate of up to 45% of Americans

Some research suggests that applying witch hazel topically to sensitive skin may be beneficial in the treatment of inflamed, irritated or broken skin.

In fact, witch hazel has been shown to suppress erythema — a reddening of the skin caused by injury or irritation — by up to 27% 

One study in 40 people found that using a lotion with as little as 10% witch hazel extract was effective in reducing skin inflammation and treating erythema

Similarly, another small study found that a topical preparation containing witch hazel was able to provide relief for sensitive or irritated facial skin

SUMMARY
Witch hazel may help reduce skin redness and provide relief for irritated and sensitive skin.

4. Fights Acne

Thanks to its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, some research suggests that witch hazel could be useful in the treatment of acne.

It can be applied directly to your face after cleansing or steaming for maximum effectiveness.

It acts as an astringent, causing your tissues to contract to help shrink pores, while also soothing your skin and relieving inflammation

This may prevent acne-causing bacteria from infecting your skin. For this reason, witch hazel is commonly added to many over-the-counter acne products and is especially useful for individuals with oily skin.

Still, studies on the effects of witch hazel on acne are limited and further research is needed to determine its efficacy.

SUMMARY
Witch hazel acts as an astringent to help shrink your pores, soothe your skin and reduce inflammation. More research is needed to determine the effects of witch hazel itself on acne.

5. Alleviates Scalp Sensitivity

Scalp sensitivity can be caused by a number of factors, ranging from cosmetic hair treatments to dermatological conditions, such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis.

Applying a bit of witch hazel to your scalp before washing your hair may help treat scalp sensitivity and provide relief from symptoms, such as itching and tenderness.

According to one study in 1,373 people, using a shampoo containing witch hazel extract was effective in reducing scalp irritation

Witch hazel may also help relieve inflammation, which could be useful in reducing scalp sensitivity caused by conditions like psoriasis or eczema.

It’s also sometimes used as a natural remedy to relieve symptoms of other scalp problems, such as dandruff and dryness.

However, additional research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of witch hazel in the treatment of these conditions.

SUMMARY
Witch hazel may help reduce scalp irritation and inflammation. It’s also sometimes used for treating dandruff and dryness, though more studies are needed to evaluate its effectiveness for these conditions.

7. Protects Against Skin Damage

Witch hazel is rich in tannins, a natural plant compound with powerful antioxidant properties that can help protect your skin against damage when applied topically.

One animal study found that tannins can act as a barrier, preventing inflammation-causing substances from entering your skin cells

What’s more, a test-tube study showed that witch hazel helped neutralize harmful free radicals and prevented the spread of skin cancer cells

Similarly, another animal study discovered that the tannins in witch hazel were able to slow skin tumor growth in mice exposed to radiation

However, most research is currently limited to test-tube and animal studies. More studies are needed to evaluate the effects of witch hazel on humans.

SUMMARY
Animal and test-tube studies have found that witch hazel and its components could prevent skin cancer growth and protect against skin damage.

How to Safely Use Witch Hazel

Most people can use witch hazel safely with minimal risk of adverse side effects

Ointments and extracts can be applied directly to your skin several times per day and safely administered for the treatment of hemorrhoids after each bowel movement.

Some people may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions after applying witch hazel topically.

Doing an initial skin patch test on a small portion of your skin can help prevent unwanted side effects and skin reactions.

SUMMARY
Witch hazel can be safely applied to your skin several times per day, and small amounts can be ingested orally with minimal risk of side effects.


Witch hazel is an astringent that is often used as a natural topical remedy.

It contains several compounds with potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, which may be useful in treating a variety of conditions ranging from acne and scalp sensitivity to hemorrhoids.

Still, more research is needed to unearth the entire spectrum of potential benefits

astringents constrict by definition, in this case skin pores

I hope so. We use it as a major ingredient in our splashes. The above is good info.


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astringents constrict by definition, in this case skin pores

Pores don't "move" either way:


https://www.skincare.com/article/do-pore...warm-water

Using warm water to “open” your pores is technically impossible. Your pores aren’t muscles, so they can’t voluntarily open and contract regardless of water temperature.. “There is nothing that can physically make the pores smaller or bigger,” says Dr. Palep. That said, there is some logic behind washing your face with warm water to help clean out your pores. While warm water will not actually open up your pores, it can help clean out the gunk, grime and sebum that has accumulated inside. “The more oil and gunk you get into your oil gland, and hence the hair follicle, the bigger your pores are going to look because the oil is sitting in your pores and stretching it out,” says Dr. Palep. “Hot water can change the structure of the skin, make it more pliable and loosen up the material in it so it’s more easily flushed out, which can make the pore appear smaller.” Just be sure, however, not to turn the temperature up too hot. “Steaming or using water that’s too hot can actually break down the proteins in the skin and make you more susceptible to eczema, breakouts and irritation.”  

Just as warm water cannot increase the size of your pores, cold water won’t decrease them, either. Although the pore is not a muscle, there is some evidence to suggest that cold water can cause the arrector pili muscles along the side of the hair follicle and next to the pore to contract involuntarily. “Arrector pili muscles are part of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system,” says Dr. Palep. “So if you’re embarrassed or cold, you’re autonomically stimulating that muscle to create goosebumps.” She explains that when the arrector pili muscle flexes, it can block a bit of pore’s opening. If the muscle does not contract from splashing cold water, however, there is no change to the pore’s size. Bottom line? If you want to splash cold water on your face at the end of your skin-care routine, it won’t hurt, but it also probably won’t help.

I have very sensitive skin. I find that witch hazel works well for me as my only post shave product. However, I do try to use shaving soaps that contain a significant level of ingredients designed to moisturize and condition the skin. After my shave is completed, I apply lather an extra time and allow it to remain on my skin while I am cleaning my shaving gear. That allows some of the conditioning ingredients to absorb into the skin. I rinse off the lather with a wet microfiber cloth (terry washcloths are too rough). Without drying my face, I apply a splash of witch hazel. The is around 15% alcohol in the product, so I do get some feedback if I do not get a great shave. Normally, I get no feedback. If i get a particularly poor shave, the witch hazel may sting. I do not use aftershave splashes or colognes that have a high alcohol content or menthol as they irritate my skin. There are some splashes based on witch hazel , but I normally stick with the plain witch hazel such as Dickenson's or generic brands.