Deeply Clean Your Face With Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is the most effective non soap cleanser / toner to remove anything your cleanser leaves behind. Fun fact: Did you know? Witch hazel removes the cleanser you just washed your face with. Yes, your cleanser can leave a film of soap on your skin that disturbs your skins PH level.
Witch hazel removes the soap and restores your skins PH. Witch hazel will remove so much dirt, oil, makeup, and dead skin cells it might even scare you the first time you use witch hazel. I dare you to try with hazel on your neck.
Witch Hazel Benefits For Eczema
Eczema is considered an inflammatory skin condition caused by an allergic reaction or other inflammatory irritations. It causes dry, red, irritated, and itchy skin. Sufferers tend to scratch, which leads to raw skin and cracking. Witch hazel is good and relieving the itching, calming the redness and irritation.
Apply witch hazel directly to the irritated skin, or use our Anti-Itch Formula found in the recipe section below.
Use Witch Hazel Between Shampoos
Remove excess oil from the scalp with a quick cleaning between shampoos. Dilute one part witch hazel with nine parts water. Use the tip of a clean cloth to dab the mixture around your hairline, down the part, and in oily areas.
Witch Hazel for Hair
The diluted witch hazel reduces oil production and distributes excess oil. It will leave your hair fresher looking for the day.
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Use Witch Hazel To Remove Ticks
Ticks are repelled by witch hazel and will let go when they come into contact with it. Its a natural tick repellent for humans and pets. To use witch hazel to remove ticks, you need tweezers and witch hazel.
Pour a capful of witch hazel on the tick. Grab the tick firmly with tweezers and carefully pull the tick away. Add witch hazel to a bottle sprayer to make a homemade sanitizer spray. Apply the witch hazel to the area to disinfect it after removing the tick.
Guide To Treating Dyshidrotic Eczema
Dyshidrotic eczema is a skin condition most often found in adults between twenty and forty years old. In this condition, the hands and feet are most affected, with blisters breaking out that cause intense itching and usually last for three to four weeks. These blisters may also cause pain accompanied by flaky or cracked skin. Scratching these itchy areas is discouraged, but resisting scratching can be difficult to impossible at times. Proper home care can help hydrate the skin, ease itching, and prevent infection caused by scratching. If home care remedies are not effective enough, proper medical care from a qualified care provider will be essential to control the symptoms and avoid complications such as skin infections.
Learn more about treating dyshidrotic eczema now.
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Side Effects & Safety
- Witch hazel is safe for most adults when applied topically. However, in some people, it might cause minor skin irritation.
- Witch hazel is safe for most adults when small doses are taken orally.
- Witch hazel might cause stomach upset when taken by mouth. Large doses might cause liver problems.
- Witch hazel contains a cancer-causing chemical too.
What Does Witch Hazel Work Well With
Since witch hazel can have a drying effect, Dr. Chwalek favors products that include moisturizing humectants, like glycerin, and other gentle ingredients, like rose extract and niacinamide, that can calm skin irritation and offset any irritation or dryness.
The particular formulation is important becausedepending on its alcohol, tannin, or eugenol componentit may strip the skin of moisture and cause irritation, she adds.
Luckily, Dr. Chwalek and Dr. MacGregor shared a few of their favorite skin-healthy products with witch hazel in them. See below to shop some of these dermatologist-approved witch hazel products.
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Dr. Chwalek recommends this multitasking Skinceuticals Equalizing Toner, which contains a combination of botanicals including witch hazel and a blend of alpha hydroxy acids that help to gently exfoliate the skin. It is gentle enough it can be used by people with sensitive skin, and this combination can help to clear acne, unclog pores, and improve overall pigmentation, she adds.
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Dr. Chwalek recommends this toner since it minimizes the appearance of pores without stripping the skin of its natural moisture. The Differin Pore Minimizing Toner contains soothing ingredients such as chamomile, vitamin B, rosehip, and aloe and is formulated to suit all skin types.
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Soothing Witch Hazel Gel For Skin Irritations
Use witch hazel to treat skin irritations, like chafing and poison ivy.
- 1 cup glass spray bottle
In a glass spray bottle, combine witch hazel extract and neem oil. Shake vigorously and use on a small area of skin to make sure it is not too strong for you.
If you have a reaction, decrease the neem oil and try again. Some people react to high concentrations of neem oil. Shake before use and spray on itchy skin, reapplying as needed.
Witch Hazel Works Against Viruses
Viruses refer to microscopic infectious agents that reproduce inside the cells of humans, plants and animals .
Tiny as they are, viruses can do a lot of damage to your body.
Dengue fever, Ebola, Rabies, Smallpox, and Influenza are just some of the deadliest viral infections that have plagued the world all the years.
These diseases have claimed the lives of millions of people around the world.
This is why its a must to protect yourself from viruses using natural antiviral agents like witch hazel.
Witch hazel has been found to have the ability to keep these viruses from infecting your body and causing disease.
According to studies, the tannins in witch hazel have the ability to suppress the replication of virus inside the body .
German researchers conducted a study that proved witch hazels efficacy as a treatment for influenza and human papillomavirus .
It was explained in the report that the tannins inhibited the IAV receptor binding as well as the neuraminidase activity .
Key Takeaways:
- Witch hazel is a potent antiviral that can help prevent and treat viral infections.
- It was found in one study to be effective in curbing influenza and human papillomavirus .
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What Elsecan Witch Hazel Be Used For
As youve already learned, witch hazel can be used for the treatmentof eczema and psoriasis. It doesnt stop there either. This natural remedy iseffective for many purposes. It can be used for the treatment of varicose veinsand hemorrhoids. If youre dealing with cold sores, you can use witch hazel.Ultimately, this natural remedy is great for many purposes.
If youre dealing with some type of ailment, you should tryit out for yourself. There is a good chance that itll provide you with therelief youre seeking. Just remember to use it cautiously. If you do that, youshould be able to avoid negative side effects and get the desired results.
Witch hazel may also be effective for the treatment of acneand sunburn.
Mistake: Washing Too Often
If you have eczema, one key to managing it is to keep your skin hydrated, says Joel Gelfand, M.D., professor of dermatology and of epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Unfortunately, he says, people often go about this the wrong waywashing too frequently or spending too long in a hot shower or bath. Lukewarm water in small doses is best, he says. That means short showers or baths, no more than once a day. Use a gentle cleansernot a soap, which will strip your skin of natural oils . Then slather on moisturizer as soon as you get out. When you do, pick a cream, not a lotion the greasier it feels, the more oil it contains, and the better it will be at maintaining hydration. Ointments are best of all, says Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University. Theyre less cosmetically elegant, but those are the ones that help the most, she says.
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Where Canyou Buy Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a unique natural remedy that will prove to bevery effective for the treatment of eczema. If you have this skin condition,you will want to give it a try. However, youll need to find witch hazel first.It is best to buy the product from the shelf. Attempting to harvest the witchhazel plant is never a good idea. It is much easier to buy a bottle of themixture already prepared for you.
The good news is that you can find witch hazel in manystores. Youll be able to buy the remedy in a bottle. You can find it at manybig box stores including Walmart and Target. You can also buy it at pharmaciessuch as Walgreens and CVS.
If your local store doesnt carry it, you should lookonline. Either way, youre not going to have much trouble finding witch hazeland this is another reason that it is such a good treatment for eczema.
Is Witch Hazel Safe For Dogs
Yes, not only is external witch hazel safe for dogs, but it soothes and heals their skin the same way that it treats human skin. Witch hazel is also safely used as homemade dog ear cleaner.
I found no studies on the safety of dogs taking witch hazel internally, and it could be toxic to their liver and kidneys in high doses, so avoid internal use.
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What Is The Most Important Information I Should Know About Witch Hazel Topical
Before using witch hazel topical, talk to your healthcare provider. You may not be able to use this product if you have certain medical conditions.
Witch hazel topical is thought to be possibly safe when used on a childs skin. Ask a healthcare provider about using this medicine on a child.
Ask a doctor before using this product if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
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Helps With Razor Bumps
Razor burn or razor bumps can develop when there is too much friction between your skin and a razor, or when your hair curls inward and grows back into your skin. In both cases, your skin becomes irritated and inflamed, leading to swollen red bumps that can be painful.
Witch hazel can be used after shaving to “remove residue left on the skin, calm inflammation, and minimize the risk of developing razor bumps,” Zeichner says.
Razor bumps arise when your skin becomes irritated and inflamed, so the soothing effect of the tannins in witch hazel helps keep them from developing. But be careful to pick out a witch hazel product with no ethyl alcohol, as this can dry out and further irritate damaged skin.
How to use it: To prevent razor bumps, apply witch hazel extract or lotion to your skin immediately after shaving to calm any irritation.
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Is Witch Hazel Helpful For Eczema
Witch hazel is a commonly used herb which has been studied in a variety of skin conditions. Only a small amount of research has been done regarding witch hazel use for eczema treatments. One research study showed that witch hazel creams are ineffective for decreasing symptoms in children. Another study of thirty-six patients with eczema compared three different products: hydrocortisone steroid cream, a base cream with witch hazel, and the same base cream alone . The results showed that all the treatments reduced itching, scaling, and redness at one week, but the steroid cream was the best at reducing symptoms, and the witch hazel was no different than the base cream. The effects appear to be weak when looking at witch hazel for eczema therapy.
Treat Acne With Witch Hazel
Is witch hazel good for acne? Yes!
Acne scars: Witch hazel is good for acne scars. The skincare benefits for witch hazel are amazing on acne-prone skin!
Pimples: Its good for your face and works gently on pimples. Your pimples will reduce in size and the inflammation will lessen. With all the expensive creams and cleansers, a budget-friendly and effective way to combat acne is once again Witch Hazel!
Oily skin: Its an effective, yet gentle astringent that reduces inflammation, reduces redness, reduces pore size, and removes excess oil from the skin. Witch hazel is good for oily skin too, it helps balance the PH level of your skin and moisturize.
How to use witch hazel for acne: After cleansing your face, saturate a cotton pad with witch hazel and thoroughly wipe your skin with it. You may see some excess dirt and oil dissolve onto your cotton pad. Amazing how much oil and dirt witch hazel dissolves. My skin always looks and feels smoother and tighter after treating it with the natural goodness of witch hazel!
If you have sensitive skin and ACNE, I highly recommend you use an alcohol free witch hazel! My #1 recommendation is using the Proactive Revitalizing toner thats highly concentrated in witch hazel and its alcohol-free, gentle and contains skin-nourishing goodies. Read my Proactiv Revitalizing Toner Review here! It helped clear all my bad acne! Check out the before and after pix! Yikes! LOL. You can separately purchase the Proactiv Revitalizing Toner on Ebay! YAY!
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Natural Remedies For Eczema Relief
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Eczema is a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed.
Quoted from healthcentral.com, eczema is marked with dryness, itch, inflammation, flakiness, bumps or fissures on the arm and feet skins.
Doctor would prescribe corticosteroid to ease the itch. However, eczema can be cured with natural herbs and medication, namely aloe vera, turmeric etc.
On the following, healthline.com gives recommendations on natural herbs to cure eczema.
1. Coconut Oil
According to nationaleczema.org, the anti-bacterial contained in the oil can reduce bacteria on the skin and prevent infection. For eczema victims, this is an important thing because the inflamed patches will pop and leak fluid, then bacteria can enter and infect it.
For usage, simply just rub the oil to the skin. Choose the pure or cold-pressed one for a natural skin moisturiser.
2. Sunflower Oil
Research has shown that sunflowers can protect the outer layer of skin, maintain the moisture and remove bacteria. It’s also able to hydrate the skin and ease itch and flammation.
3. Calendula Cream
This particular cream is believed to be able to cure eczema at the feet or any other parts. Calendula has been used as a traditional herb for centuries and mainly used to cure skin inflammation, burns etc.
4. Witch-hazel
5. Oatmeal
6. Aloe Vera
Witch Hazel Can Help Treat Glaucoma
Its very important to protect the eyes from serious diseases like glaucoma.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology defines glaucoma as a condition characterized by damage in the optic nerve of the eye.
Alarmingly, of the three million Americans estimated by the AAO to have glaucoma, only half of them know that they have this condition.
Thats because there are no early symptoms, and the diseases progression is quite slow.
The good news is, certain herbal remedies like witch hazel can help.
Witch hazel is listed among the natural treatment methods found effective for this eye problem .
Although witch hazel does not have the ability to completely heal this condition, it helps improve it by promoting blood supply to the optic nerve .
In 2002, American researchers from Philadelphia examined the conditions of 1,027 patients with glaucoma .
These patients were treated with various complementary and alternative methods including witch hazel .
There was a staggering response rate of over 97 percent .
Key Takeaways:
- Glaucoma is slow to progress and is quite difficult to detect at an early stage.
- Herbal remedies like witch hazel, known for its astringent properties, can help treat this condition.
- It works by stimulating blood flow to the optic nerve.
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Witch Hazel Can Heal Skin Injuries
Many good things have been said about witch hazels effects on the skin.
Heres another one: it can help heal skin injuries in children.
In a 2007 observational study published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, it was reported that witch hazel ointment was highly effective in treating diaper rash, inflammation and other minor skin injuries in children up to 11 years of age .
Researchers say that the healing effects of witch hazel are similar to those of dexpanthenol .
Key Takeaways:
- Witch hazel is good for the skin, and can even be used for treating skin injuries among children.
- An ointment made with witch hazel was found effective in treating diaper rash and other inflammatory skin diseases in children up to 11 years old.
- Its healing properties are similar to those of dexpanthenol.
Treat Eczema And Psoriasis With Witch Hazel
The skin care benefits for witch hazel are amazing for treating eczema and psoriasis. Witch hazel is a must for anyone suffering with Eczema or Psoriasis because of the amazing anti-inflammatory benefits. Witch hazel will stop the itching, redness, painful burning, and even the scarring that comes with these skin conditions. Check with your doctor prior to use, theres even witch hazel creams and wipes now! Another natural treatment for psoriasis and eczema is Olive Oil, check out the Skin Care Benefits of Olive Oil here.
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How To Make Witch Hazel Water
Witch Hazel Water with No Alcohol
- 4 ounces Hamamelis virginiana bark or leaves
- Water
In a pot with a tight-fitting lid, add Hamamelis virginiana bark or leaves and water to cover. Bring to a boil and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
Turn off the heat and allow the concoction to cool completely, covered. Filter the witch hazel water. Keep in the refrigerator and use within a week, or freeze for longer-term storage.