In the modern market for skin care products, you can find thousands of all kinds of creams, tonics, scrubs, gels and cleansers. All of them are called in one way or another to solve common problems: to fight acne and allergic rashes, to reduce pores and oily sheen, to nourish cells with much-needed moisture and vitamins. However, most of the cosmetic products offered by world-renowned manufacturing companies may turn out to be not only not useful, but harmful to the skin, as innovative products include mainly components of synthetic origin.
What do connoisseurs of natural cosmetics recommend? According to adherents of a healthy lifestyle, sharing the principle of using exclusively natural products, the best skin remedy is witch hazel oil extract. What is it and why is it so useful?
A unique source of healing substances
Witch hazel is a plant native to North America and parts of Asia. From time immemorial, people have used its leaves and bark for the preparation of an astringent that has a high healing ability. It was used to combat acne, blisters, insect bites, dermatitis that occurs after touching poison ivy, as well as inflammation of any kind. And this list is by no means exhaustive.
Although this miraculous plant can also treat the oral cavity, gums and throat, at present, people mainly use witch hazel extract for the skin. Being a strong antioxidant, witch hazel effectively destroys bacteria that parasitize the skin pores, prevents cell damage that can lead to cancer, slows down the aging of the skin and at the same time accelerates its healing. An amazing substance can be found in the most diverse products of natural cosmetics, as well as in some medicines. For example, witch hazel extract often enriches anti-aging serums, shaving creams, lotions for sensitive skin, repellents, medications for treating nails, products for the fight against hemorrhoids, shampoos for problem hair.
How it works?
Why does a single plant have such an impressive array of useful qualities? High levels of active healing ingredients in natural witch hazel reduce inflammation, prevent cell decay and prevent swelling, while alleviating pain in the presence of open wounds.
The bark, branches and leaves of the plant are used to prepare an extract of the active components - polyphenols and tannins. The resulting material is then diluted with water or alcohol to produce a finished concentrated product called “witch hazel water” or “distilled witch hazel extract”. It can be used externally, applied to the surface of the skin, or taken orally, as a regular medicine, to alleviate the symptoms of diarrhea, colds, vomiting, coughing, flu, etc.
A natural tonic or mask with witch hazel extract owes its astringent effect to tannins - substances responsible for cleansing the skin of excess fat. That is why this extremely useful plant is used to prepare all kinds of gels, foams and lotions to combat acne and age-related rashes. Pure witch hazel extract is a completely natural substance, free from environmental pollution and components that can potentially cause irritation or an allergic reaction. This concentrate also does not contain synthetic fragrances.
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
- skin lesions;
- hematomas (bruises);
- redness and swelling;
- ingrown hairs;
- psoriasis and eczema;
- oily skin;
- excessive sweating;
- varicose veins;
- cracks and blisters;
- insect bites;
- dermatitis from contact with poison ivy;
- scalp irritation;
- sunburn and melanoma;
- shaving irritation;
- inflammation of the mucous membranes;
- hemorrhoids;
- allergic reactions.
How to apply?
The simplest and most popular method of application is as follows. To take full advantage of the witch hazel extract for face and body, the natural substance is mixed with transport (base) oil - for example, coconut or jojoba oil. The resulting product is applied directly to the skin in the form of serum, lotion, toner 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 witch hazel extract in cosmetics is used to prepare all kinds of products to combat acne. However, for the timely and effective removal of acne, it is not necessary to purchase finished products in a pharmacy or specialty store - a natural concentrate will easily help you. To increase its effectiveness, you can mix the substance with any other antibacterial component, for example, coconut oil or tea tree. Ordinary apple cider vinegar is also suitable.
Instead of squeezing a festering pimple or waiting until a new red dot “ripens”, take a clean cotton ball or cotton swab, moisten it with the purchased concentrate and lubricate acne of any degree of maturity several times a day.
The first signs of aging or sunburn
If you are looking for a natural way to get rid of wrinkles and slow down the signs of skin aging (minor damage, redness, discoloration, dryness and swelling around the eyes), the solution lies directly in front of you, in the window of the nearest pharmacy. Witch hazel extract protects against skin cancer, melanoma and other diseases caused by harmful ultraviolet light due to its content of polyphenols and tannins - natural antioxidants.
Apply the concentrate directly to problem areas, avoiding simultaneous use with synthetic cosmetics that cause dryness and irritation. You can mix witch hazel with any natural oil that accelerates skin healing. The oils of evening primrose, frankincense and tea tree are best suited for this purpose.
Insect bites
Many repellents and itching relievers after insect bites contain witch hazel. Is it more beneficial to use pure concentrate for the same purpose? Without a doubt, the natural extract of witch hazel 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 the latter, synthetic creams are often used, including dexpanthenol (Panthenol, Bepanten), approved for use in children from birth. Some experts, however, prefer to recommend wamamelis extract to their patients instead of dexpanthenol that has become familiar. Perhaps you should try both options and experimentally find the best one for your skin type.