Witch Hazel: The Skincare Secret You Need in Your Routine

You may remember the oddly bright-colored toners that caused an eye-burning sensation as a teenage prerequisite for combatting acne. The toner evolution hasn’t made many strides since many formulas still contain eye-irritating harsh alcohols that dry out and irritate the skin. But there’s another prep step or little, unassuming clear liquid that’s experiencing a resurgence in skincare— witch hazel!

If you’re looking for a gentle yet powerful ingredient to tackle acne, blackheads, and acne scars, witch hazel might be the skincare hero you’re missing! This spellbinding ingredient has natural powers to soothe, tone, and clarify skin without irritation.

Want to learn about witch hazel, how it works as a toner, and why it’s a must-have for treating blackheads, acne scars, and oily skin? Keep reading to discover how witch hazel can transform your skincare routine—plus the best products to try today.

What is Witch Hazel & Why is It So Popular in Skincare?

You’d be hard-pressed to find a skin ingredient that transcends more generations than witch hazel. From a centuries-old medicinal cure-all to a teenage prerequisite for casting away acne, witch hazel has evolved as a cast-away for practically all evil skin woes. But what exactly does this magical ingredient, which bears a mystical name, do?

What is Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel, also known as winter bloom, is a petite blooming tree or large shrub with soft yellow fringe-like petals. As the name suggests, these trees can be seen blooming even in icy and harsh winter weather—a sure sign of a powerful plant with medicinal or healing properties.

The clear liquid is extracted from the bark, leaves, and twigs of the North American Hamamelis virginiana plant and distilled to create the witch hazel astringent we know today. Among its spell book are enchanting benefits of witch hazel, including its rich content of tannins and antioxidants that soothe and clarify skin.

Witch hazel contains many compounds with anti-inflammatory properties, such as tannins, which help reduce skin irritations and swelling. Tannins are a type of polyphenols that have astringent properties that can help tighten and tone the skin. These natural plant compounds also help protect the skin from free radicals that cause cell damage.

Witch hazel contains phenolic compounds which are natural substances that can provide significant benefits for the skin by acting as antioxidants, potentially helping to combat signs of aging and protecting against free radical damage to help maintain healthy, youthful-looking skin.

What Does Toner Do & How Does Witch Hazel Fit In?

Ever wondered, "What does toner do"? Is it just another skincare trend, or is it essential?

A toner plays a crucial role in keeping your skin healthy and hydrated. After cleansing, your skin’s pH can be disrupted, leading to dryness or excess oil production. A good toner helps restore this balance, removing excess oil and keeping your skin balanced. It also boosts the effectiveness of serums and moisturizers, allowing your skincare routine to work at its best.

When the skin-transforming powers of toner are enhanced with witch hazel, it becomes a wicked complexion powerhouse with a wide spectrum of benefits for the skin. Witch hazel-based toners help tighten pores, calm inflammation, and remove leftover debris, giving your skin a smoother, more refined look.

Why Dermatologists Love Witch Hazel

Dermatologists appreciate how witch hazel works for all skin types. Its astringent properties tighten pores, control excess oil, reduce inflammation, and soothe irritated skin, making it a great option for acne-prone, oily skin, and sensitive skin types, while also having mild anti-inflammatory benefits for various skin concerns.

Alcohol-free formulations:

Unlike harsh, drying alcohols in conventional toners, witch hazel astringents are alcohol-free and don’t dry out the skin. The natural tannins in witch hazel can help to soothe and protect the skin, making it a better option for most skin types, even slightly dry skin, when used in moderation.

Best Witch Hazel Astringent: 100% PURE Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent

What does toner do? This clarifying astringent is infused with witch hazel to balance oil and clear blemishes. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties are best for calming inflamed and irritated skin. With neem, rosemary, tea tree, and witch hazel, it fights acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, delivering faster recovery and reduced scarring in just one step.

The Benefits of Witch Hazel for Your Skin

Skincare ingredients come and go, but one beauty botanical that has truly stood the test of time is witch hazel. While this mystical ingredient has been around and on the skincare radar for quite some time, it has recently surged in popularity. And all this buzz might be for good reason!

Witch hazel has a plethora of benefits, from being an antioxidant to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Let’s delve into why witch hazel works wonders for the skin – plus the best natural products for happy and balanced skin.

Shrinks Pores & Reduces Blackheads

Why it works:

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can temporarily tighten pores and remove excess oil on the skin's surface. Thanks to its tannin content, the botanical helps to reduce shine and control sebum production, making it a beneficial ingredient for managing oily skin concerns like enlarged pores, breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne scars.

By contracting the pores, witch hazel can help to minimize their visible size, contributing to a smoother skin texture. 

Best Oil Controller: 100% PURE Lavender Niacinamide Pore Minimizer Tonique

We know witch hazel has boundless benefits for the skin, as evidenced by the botanical’s recorded decades of usage. It’s precisely why the 100% PURE Lavender Niacinamide Pore Minimizer Tonique is a fan favorite! This gentle, witch hazel-infused toner purifies and controls oil production while reducing pore size without clogging the skin.

Clears Acne & Prevents Breakouts

Why it works:

Witch hazel’s prized antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can reduce inflammation, shrink pores, and disinfect the skin. Thanks to its tannin and polyphenol content, the powerful botanical can soothe irritated skin, reduce redness and swelling, and regulate sebum production. Its antibacterial properties can disinfect the skin of acne-causing bacteria and help reduce active breakouts and blackheads, leaving you with clearer, balanced skin.

Best Deep Cleaner & Brightener: 100% PURE Fermented Rice Water Toner

Unlike traditional toners that contain drying alcohol, this antioxidant-rich, gentle formula features witch hazel that helps skin retain moisture and improve skin tone while combating dryness. This brightening facial toner uses enzymes and amino acids from fermented rice water to deeply cleanse, brighten, and soften skin.

Fades Acne Scars & Evens Skin Tone

Why it works:

Witch hazel can help fade acne scars and even skin tone due to its antioxidants that clear skin and promote healing. Its astringent properties help reduce excess oil, inflammation, and redness associated with acne. Its tannins have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects that can help to reduce post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne scars, contributing to a more even skin tone.

Best Dark Spot Fader: 100% PURE Vitamin C Serum

This lightweight serum contains a concentrated, stabilized, and easily absorbable form of plant-derived vitamin C to firm and brighten skin. It features witch hazel to help boost collagen production and fade dark spots for radiant, spot-free skin!

Soothes Redness & Calms Irritation

Why it works:

Witch hazel has antiseptic properties that can help treat redness and soothe irritated skin. Modern formulations of witch hazel with soothing ingredients can prevent irritation and soothe and calm sensitive skin. Witch hazel’s natural anti-inflammatory properties can reduce inflammation, redness, and swelling. The bewitching botanical also helps sensitive skin recover from breakouts without over-drying.

Strengthens the Skin Barrier

Why it works:

Witch hazel strengthens the skin barrier from environmental pollutants and oxidative stress by utilizing its astringent properties, primarily due to the presence of tannins, which contract the skin's outer layers. This helps minimize pore size and regulate oil production, thus creating a protective barrier against external stressors while reducing inflammation and potential damage to the skin barrier.

Best Barrier Protection: 100% PURE Rose Water Face Mist

Your skin barrier will operate its best with a witch hazel toner combined with hydrating ingredients like aloe vera and rose water. Go beyond your average rose water mist with this super-boosted formula featuring hyaluronic acid, aloe vera, rose water, and white tea. With its aromatic rose fragrance, this face mist offers additional support to reduce redness and condition the skin.

How to Use Witch Hazel in Your Skincare Routine

At 100% PURE, we bring innovative skincare and beauty products that are made from nature’s wealthy resources, and witch hazel is no exception! The best way is to protect our plants and research their properties. With witch hazel being an herb that has skin benefits and medicinal advantages, we created multiple products from the beauty botanical used in our top skincare formulas and beyond.

Below, we have listed our must-try products that feature witch hazel as one of the main ingredients.

Step 1: Cleanse First

Cleansing first removes dirt, oil, and impurities before applying the toner.

Best Cleanser: 100% PURE Rose Water Gentle Cleanser

Thoroughly wash away the stress of your day with this hydrating, non-stripping cleanser. Made with fragrant Damask rose and calming calendula flower, this liquid gel cleanser employs balancing rose hydrosol to restore and protect the moisture barrier.

Step 2: Apply Witch Hazel as a Toner

What does toner do? Our hydrating formulas feature witch hazel plus humectants for sensitive or dry skin.

Best Product: 100% PURE Tea Tree & Willow Clarifying Astringent

This clarifying astringent soothes and hydrates the skin. The antibacterial and antiseptic properties of this astringent are best for calming inflamed and irritated skin. With neem, rosemary, tea tree, and witch hazel, it fights acne-causing bacteria and inflammation, delivering faster recovery and reduced scarring in just one step. Use a cotton pad or spritz onto the skin after cleansing.

Step 3: Follow with a Hydrating Serum

A hydrating serum seals essential moisture prevents dryness, and boosts skin recovery.

Best Hydrating Serum: 100% PURE Rose Water Hyaluronic Acid Serum

With the help of rose hydrosol, this skin-plumping serum combines the soothing, cooling effects of aloe vera with fragrant, redness-reducing rose. Toning white tea and plumping hyaluronic acid complete this recipe for dewy, youthful-looking skin.

Step 4: Apply Moisturizer to Lock in Hydration

A hydrating moisturizer locks in essential hydration without clogging pores.

Best Hydrating Moisturizer: 100% PURE Hydra Drench Cream

This hydrating formula provides intense hydration, softens, and promotes suppleness. It features hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, rose water for soothing, and cucumber for added freshness.

Its lightweight texture makes it also perfect for acne-prone skin.

Step 5: Always Finish with SPF in the Morning

Protects against UV damage that worsens scars and hyperpigmentation.

Sunscreen: 100% PURE Yerba Mate Mist SPF 30

In your morning routine, conclude with sun protection to shield your skin from UV damage and premature aging. This sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection in a convenient mist form, enriched with antioxidants from yerba mate tea leaf.

FAQs About Witch Hazel & Skincare

#1. Is witch hazel safe for all skin types?

Skincare products like toners, moisturizers, and cleansers that use very low concentrations of witch hazel can be used daily. Modern formulations with added soothing ingredients like rose water and hyaluronic acid are gentle enough for sensitive skin.

#2. Can witch hazel help with acne scars?

Yes, its anti-inflammatory and oil-controlling properties make it effective for managing acne. It also combats breakouts and blackheads and helps fade acne scars.

#3. Does witch hazel tighten skin and shrink pores permanently?

Witch hazel is also known to clarify excess oil and tighten pores. That can often create the illusion of tighter pores. But that’s not the only benefit it accomplishes. Witch hazel actually works at the cell level to deliver visible results. Our skin then uses those proteins to make the proteins inside skin cells come together for a tighter, smaller-looking pore.

#4. Should I use witch hazel every day?

Most people can use toner with witch hazel twice daily—morning and night—after cleansing. If you have sensitive skin, start with once a day and see how your skin reacts.

#5. Can witch hazel be used with other active ingredients like retinol or Vitamin C?

Yes. You can use witch hazel with retinol or vitamin C, but you should use caution. Be sure to use the right concentration. Opt for a gentle witch hazel toner to avoid irritation. Apply in the correct order with witch hazel toner first, then layer on other products.

Final Thoughts: Why Witch Hazel Deserves a Spot in Your Skincare Routine

We’ve discovered now through our witch hazel journey that the influence this ingredient has is well-deserved. While being a super accessible ingredient, witch hazel continues to gently improve the skin.

Witch hazel is a powerful yet gentle skincare ingredient that tightens pores, fights acne, fades scars, and calms inflammation. Due to its multi-purpose nature, witch hazel is used in many skincare products. From decreasing inflammation to combatting acne, this wicked skin powerhouse has a wide spectrum of benefits for the skin.

So, does witch hazel deserve a spot in your skincare routine? We can firmly say that witch hazel benefits make this ingredient a skin win in our books. At 100% PURE, we encourage our readers to start using a witch hazel toner to balance and clarify their skin naturally. Try 100% PURE’s hydrating and balancing witch hazel-infused products for a fresh take on this classic ingredient.

Be sure to shop 100% PURE’s best witch hazel-infused skincare for clearer, brighter, and healthier skin. And get ready to be bewitched with the sorcery of witch hazel!