Witch Hazel and its uses

Natural Remedies like witch hazel can be used as astringents and toners to help cleanse, soothe, refresh, tighten the skin, or moisturise the face. Witch Hazel has been known to treat bruises*, hemorrhoids*, sprains*, skin problems including acne*, itching*, shaving rash and burn.Its useful helping relieve sunburn* and windburn*, help with healing nappy rash*, insect bites* as its action is both soothing and gentle.

Basically the Witch Hazel that is Astringent is made using alcohol, whereas Toners are alcohol-free, which may not dry out the skin like some astringents do (of poor quality types) Thayers® are premium grade. Thayers® make their natural witch hazel from un-distilled witch hazel bark, which keeps in all the good properties. Distilled witch hazel as used by some other manufacturers, can sometimes destroy some of these useful properties.

It may be personal preference, depending whether you want to cleanse, soothe, refresh, tighten the skin, or moisturise. There are 5 toners and 4 Astringent thayers witch hazel products - all have different uses for the skin. All contain organic aloe vera formula.

Toners.
Rose Petal Toner is gentle, will soften, contains vitamin E, smooth and beautify skin without drying. Cleanse.

Cucumber Toner is gentle, will cleanse, used by people with sensitive skin, a fresh cooling, fragrance free. For healthy looking skin adding moisture. smooth and beautify skin without drying.

Lavender Toner  for sensitive skin, delicate soothing, calming natural lavender water. For healthy looking skin adding moisture. smooth and beautify skin without drying.

Original Toner is gentle, cleanses, for sensitive skin giving a fresh,  outdoors natural witch hazel fragrance. For healthy looking skin adding moisture. smooth and beautify skin without drying.

Unscented Toner  has all the replenishing, revitalizing magic of our scented varieties, but is undetectable by the nose. • Fragrance-Free • Paraben-Free • Naturally Preserved • Hypoallergenic.

 With the toners and astringents, apply with cotton-wool ball or pad to cleanse, soften, refresh and moisturise the skin. Use anytime throughout the day as a softening refresher.

 Astringents
Lemon Astringent will deep cleanse the skin of excess oil, dirt, and make-up whilst leaving the skin soft and younger looking. Refreshes.

Peach Astringent smoothes and softens dry skin, while it gently cleanses. Contains vitamin C 

Original Astringent gently refreshes and softens your skin while leaving it clear and younger looking. Colling from sun or wind exposure, refreshing after shaving, after a bath or shower. Can use as a massage.

Medicated superhazel is used as a topical pain reliever. Itches, skin irritations, burns and scrapes.

Other Uses

Witch hazel is often used as a cleanser or toner, for facial care routines and has success as a toner in the treatment of acne and is particularly suited to oily and combination skin types*.

http://www.acne.org/witch-hazel-reviews/418/page1.html

When applied to wounds, cuts and abrasions, insect bites, tannins constrict the tiny capillaries and below the skin surface. Thayers medicated Witch Hazel is ideal for this*

Witch hazel does in fact, contain high levels of tannin, which is an astringent, hence it's long association as a skin treatment. The astringent properties of the plant, has seen an increase in the uses of the plant, which is now widely used in skin-care products, after-sun lotions and aftershaves. It also has uses as a haemorrhoid treatment and for treating varicose veins and inflamed gums.*

Astringents are substances that can dry, tighten, and harden tissues. You may use an astringent on your skin to tighten pores and remove excess oil*

Witch hazel also contains procyanadins, resin, and flavonoids, all of which add to its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.

Hands and feet
Witch hazel lotions are useful on rough, swollen, working or gardener's  hands. Try it on tired and rough feet from your walk,  that turned into a hike!

Spots and Blemishes.
Witch hazel can reduce the inflammation on a spot (pimple). you can dab it on with a cotton bud or ball. Ask your pharmacist before you do this though.*

Soothes and Heal Nappy Rash
If your baby's rash isn't healing quick enough, apply witch hazel solution  with a cotton ball and you should see immediate improvement to your baby's bottom.

Soothe and help reduce External Hemorrhoids
Not only does witch hazel tighten skin, it’s also a good anti-itch remedy. By combining  witch hazel with aloe, glycerine or petroleum jelly and rub it on external hemorrhoids, you will reduce itching significantly and dry up most bleeding*.

Varicose Veins
Soak wash cloths in witch hazel and lay on legs, which are propped straight out, to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The witch hazel helps to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily*

Heal Your Bruises
Bumped into things in the night! taken a tumble or banged your leg or arm and are left with a nasty bruise, a regular application of witch hazel can help speed up the healing time of the bruise.*

Soothe Razor Burn (and in some instances, help prevent it)
The anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Apply before or after shaving. try Thayers With Hazel Aftershave for this

Sunburn and windburn
Healing damaged skin is one of witch hazel’s specialties. But as sunburn is also a type of skin inflammation, witch hazel is ideal for treating this too (despite swelling not being obvious). Treating sunburn with witch hazel will lessen healing time and prevent the infamous skin peeling and flaking. Thayers have formulated aloe vera (another great skin healer) into the product

Treat Dry Skin
Especially useful after showering, witch hazel can lock in the moisture in your skin. By applying witch hazel immediately after showering, you are locking in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.

 Refresh Tired Eyes
Don't squirt witch hazel in them, but soak a clean flannel in witch hazel and cold water and placing the cold compress over your closed eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should have gone. If you’ve been doing a lot of crying, this can get you back to normal quickly.

*Since some formulas are meant for external uses and some for internal consumption, read all package labels before using witch hazel

* This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE.  the author nor publisher of thayerswitchhazel.com take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your doctor. physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their doctor, physician or other health care provider.