Witch hazel is a flowering plant exclusively found in North America, China and Japan. It is basically a deciduous shrub. It has been traditionally used as a natural astringent as well as skin care remedy. It is composed of various polyphenols and tannins which are responsible for exhibiting antioxidant and astringent activity.

Though it is very effective for improving skin health but few things should be kept in mind before using it on face, like –

• Excessive uses of hazel could dry out the skin  
• Before applying hazel on face it is better to do a patch test for ensuring that you are not allergic to eat

Benefits of hazel on skin

Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties make it a super food for skin. It plays various imperative roles in nourishing the skin inside out thus helps to make the skin healthy and supple

Its astringent activity

• We all know that astringent is generally a substance that helps to contract the skin cells and other tissues as well. Hazel acts as an important natural astringent which is responsible for treating inflammation associated with several skin issues

Its antioxidant activity

• It exerts powerful antioxidant activity that plays vital role in preventing oxidative damages

• It helps to decrease the amount of free radicals in body as a result helps to protect the body from their harmful consequences
• Its antioxidant activity is considered as one of the important factors responsible for treating the sign of aging  as well
• It also helps in protecting the skin from inflammatory diseases

Role of hazel in preventing acne

• Its antioxidant and astringent activities are responsible for making it a perfect choice for preventing acne
• It is better to apply liquid witch hazzle directly on the face with the help of a cotton pad, its works like magic. It not only reduces the acne scars but also boost up the overall skin health

Helps to fight against aging

• It is very effective for delaying the progression of aging process such as discolouration of skin, wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity as a result utilization of hazel is thought to be very effective for preventing premature aging
• Its antioxidant activity is responsible for protecting the skin from free radical induced oxidative damages which is also considered as an important factor accountable for preventing the shine of aging
• It is also associated with protecting the skin from inflammatory damages as a result minimizes the risk of developing dermal disorders  

• Its anti-microbial activity also helps in preventing skin infection
• It is also related with protecting the skin from damages caused by UV radiation

Helps to stop bleeding fast

• Being an astringent hazel helps to contract skin cells which ultimately helps in stocking scrapes as well as minor cuts from bleeding
• Tannin found in hazel is also responsible for preventing swelling and pain. It also helps in forming a protecting covering on wounds as a result prevents the susceptibility of infections

Helps to heal bruises 

• Its anti-inflammatory activity is considered as the main factor responsible for treating bruises
• Anti inflammatory property of hazel is accountable for constricting blood vessels and helps to minimize swelling as well, this is why it is considered as a healthy choice for preventing bruises
• It should be applied on the bruise and should be massaged into the skin. This practice is very much useful for improving the symptoms

Helps to prevent eczema and psoriasis

• Individual who suffer from eczema and psoriasis should use hazel for improving their symptoms
• These two inflammatory skin diseases are responsible for developing itching, swelling, redness and burning of skin, all of these symptoms can be easily minimized with the help of witch hazel

• Its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties are attributed for proving quick relief
• Neem oil or French green clay oil can also be added to the witch hazel for providing faster relief 

Helps in preventing sunburn

• It plays imperative role in providing relief from sunburn
• Catechins and tannin are considered as main components found in hazel that are responsible for preventing sunburns as they are accountable for preventing the inflammation of skin caused by sunburn
• It helps to prevent the swelling as well
• It also helps in preventing the skin from peeling and flaking
• It has seen that application of witch hazel with Aloe Vera gel helps to provide instant relief from sunburn

Role on preventing black heads

• We all know that black heads are formed when the open pores are getting clogged up with oils or dead skin cells
• Its astringent properties are accountable for loosening the blackheads and also help to tighten the skin pores, which ultimately help to prevent them from coming back

Role on preventing stretch marks

• It plays vital role in reducing stretch marks and all the credit goes to its astringent properties as they help the skin cell to contract and tighten, thus it helps in fading out stretch marks

• It has seen that hazel is extensively used by pregnant women for preventing stretch marks from developing

Role on protecting mouth and lips

• Cold sores, blisters and canker sores are considered as the most common painful things which our mouth and lips are subjected to
• It has seen that cleaning the mouth with witch hazel is extremely helpful for preventing all of the above stated discomforts
• It helps to prevent skin swelling as well
• In the case of blisters, application of witch hazel along with coconut oil acts like magic
• It is also very effective for preventing bleeding gums. Rinsing the mouth with witch hazel mouth wash is extremely helpful for preventing swollen gums
• It helps in hindering the growth of various microbes within skin as a result minimizes the risk of developing dermal infections

Role on dry skin

• It plays vital role in nourishing the dry skin and helps in moisturizing the skin as well
• It is better to apply witch hazel to the skin after bath as it may help dry out excessiveive oil and also lock in the moisture within the skin

Role on preventing razor burns

• It has seen that while shaving the facial, underarm and public hair, individual often experience razor burn

• Hazel plays imperative role in reducing the hazards of razor burns and all the credit goes to it astringent as well as anti-inflammatory activity
• The anti-inflammatory and the astringent activity of hazel are accountable for decreasing the itchiness and the rashes which have occurred around the irritated hair follicles
• Utilization of hazel is really very helpful for providing relief from the razor burns

Role on preventing diaper rashes

• Diaper rashes are most common complications of infants and it is very distressing for parents
• Bright red and itchy rashes are developed among infants which cause severe discomfort
• Application of hazel plays vital role in preventing those diaper rashes because its anti-inflammatory activity is directly linked with decreasing the irritation and the redness which have develop by diaper rash
• It helps to reduce the pain as well

Abbas, T.F., Abbas, M.F. and Lafta, A.J., 2020. Antibacterial activity and medical properties of Witch Hazel Hamamelis virginiana. Ann Trop Med Public Health, 23(11).

Bailey, C., 5 Reasons to Use Witch Hazel in Your Skin Care Regime.

Bailey, C., Witch Hazel is a Top Skin Care Trend for 2019.

Derico, J., Witch Hazel: Uses in Eczema.

Rasooly, R., Molnar, A., Do, P., Morroni, G., Brescini, L., Cirioni, O., Giacometti, A. and Apostolidis, E., 2020. Witch Hazel Significantly Improves the Efficacy of Commercially Available Teat Dips. Pathogens, 9(2), p.92.