In This Article
Witch hazel also called Hamamelis, is a natural product that is obtained from the bark and leaves of the witch hazel shrub. This product offers multiple health benefits, especially in the treatment of various skin conditions, including acne or acne vulgaris, because it is less prone to cause skin sensitivity or irritation. If you are seeking a safe and natural remedy to battle acne, witch hazel is an ideal answer. Keep reading to know more about how to use witch hazel for acne treatment.
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I. How Does Witch Hazel Help Remove Acne?
1. Work As A Good Moisturizer
According to a recent study, witch hazel ointment could help hydrate the skin and keep it moisturized[1]. One of the crucial steps to treat acne is to keep your skin moisturized. Dryness can damage the skin barrier, which causes inflammation and water loss.
2. Act As An Astringent
The astringent properties in witch hazel come with tannins that may aid in shrinking your skin pores, thus reducing excess oil production. It further helps to prevent dead skin cells, dirt, and bacteria responsible for acne from entering and clogging the pores.
3. Help Reduce Inflammation
According to a 2014 study, the anti-inflammatory properties found in witch hazel may help calm skin inflammation and deal with acne[2].
4. Has Disinfectant
Witch hazel possesses disinfectant properties so that using it on the skin may be beneficial for lowering the bacteria, which in turn help to prevent the formation of acne.
5. pH Balance
Lots of acne treatments irritate your skin, leading to dryness, inflammation, and soreness. Witch hazel is a natural product, which is suited for skin care. This is because it doesn’t disrupt your skin’s pH that tends to cause irritation.
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II. How To Use Witch Hazel For Acne Removal
You can use witch hazel daily on your face since it is extremely mild. Here are several easy recipes you can try at home:
1. Witch Hazel And Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is commonly used in many OTC skin products. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which may help to treat acne effectively. As stated by a 2014 study showed, a combination of aloe vera cream and tretinoin cream may reduce acne lesions in individuals with mild to moderate acne[3].
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one teaspoon
- Aloe vera gel – one teaspoon
How To Do
Combine the gel and witch hazel in a bowl. Spread this combination on your face while massaging. Allow it to dry and don’t wash.
2. Witch Hazel
In addition to eliminating acne, witch hazel is also traditionally used for tightening large pores and skin abrasions. More importantly, witch hazel toner helps to shrink the appearance of large pores. Topical application of witch hazel to sensitive skin may help to treat inflamed, broken or irritated skin.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – few drops
- Cotton pads or cotton balls
How To Do
You wash your face with the support of a mild cleanser and pat dry. Pour the prepared witch hazel on a cotton pad or ball. Apply it to your face along with the affected area. Leave the application to dry and follow it up with a face moisturizer or serum.
3. Witch Hazel And Rose Water
Rose water is a popular ingredient for beauty and skin care products thanks to its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, emollient, toning, and cleansing properties[4]. It works well for skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and eczema. It is also beneficial for cleansing the pores, managing excess oil, and maintaining your skin’s pH balance. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of both rose water and witch hazel make this remedy effective for combating acne.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – ½ tablespoon
- Rose water – one tablespoon
How To Do
Put the above components in a spray bottle and shake well to ensure they are mixed properly. Start spraying the mixture on your affected areas and let it dry. After fifteen minutes, rinse your face. Reapply it twice a day.
4. Witch Hazel And Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is widely used to fight against various skin diseases, including acne. This oil may help banish acne-causing bacteria and disinfect the skin pores, as it is a natural antiseptic. As per a study in 1990, both 5% benzoyl peroxide and 5% tea-tree oil had a remarkable impact on in reducing acne[5]. It additionally functions as a solvent because it helps to fade away grease and dust easily and defend the skin against oxidative stress.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one teaspoon
- Tea tree oil – five drops
How To Do
Put the oil and witch hazel in a small bowl and mix them well. Apply the resultant mixture with the aid of a cotton swab to your acne. Try using it twice per day for best results.
5. Witch Hazel And Lemon Juice
Lemon juice may be used for treating acne because the L-ascorbic acid in it is a natural astringent. Plus, it is a powerhouse of vitamin C that helps to enhance the growth of healthy skin tissues and lighten spots and scars. Apart from that, it may help kill acne-causing bacteria owing to its antibacterial effects[6]. Together, witch hazel and lemon juice will be effective at exfoliating the dead skin cells, clearing clogged pores, and diminishing the excess oil.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one tablespoon
- Lemon juice – one tablespoon
- Water – one tablespoon
How To Do
You bring together the above elements in a bowl and stir to mix them. Apply the mixture to your affected areas with a cotton ball. Leave the solution to dry and wash it off after half an hour with water. You may repeat this remedy twice per week.
6. Witch Hazel And Baking Soda
Baking soda exfoliates dead skin cells and dirt and clears the pores, which in turn keeps skin issues at bay[7]. It may help lower acne breakouts and alleviate inflammation and pain of the skin since it consists of the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
What You Need
- Witch hazel
- Baking soda – one teaspoon
What To Do
Put the baking soda in one bowl and add enough amounts of witch hazel to obtain a paste. Apply the paste to your affected area with the aid of a cotton swab. Rinse the area with lukewarm water after 15 minutes and pat dry. Then apply an oil-free moisturizer. Follow this remedy once every three days.
7. Witch Hazel And Turmeric
Turmeric is an excellent antioxidant so that it may help to treat pimples and inflammation caused due to them. Besides, it exhibits an important component known as curcumin that helps to kill P.acnes[8] [9]. The combination of turmeric and witch hazel may help to treat acne and inhibit further breakouts.
What You Need
- Witch hazel
- Turmeric powder – one tablespoon
How To Do
Just mix the powder with sufficient witch hazel to create a paste. Start applying the paste to your affected regions. Let it work on for fifteen minutes and wipe it off with a damp washcloth. Follow the treatment once every day for best effects.
8. Witch Hazel And Honey
Honey embraces antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, all of which work well in inhibiting and treating acne[10]. It may be useful for destroying the acne-causing bacteria and reducing the inflammation and redness caused by breakouts.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one teaspoon
- Honey – two teaspoons
How To Do
Just mix the witch hazel and honey well and apply this mixture to the regions affected by acne. Leave the application on for roughly fifteen minutes before rinsing off with water. Repeat this method once or twice daily until you notice results.
9. Witch Hazel And Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is abundant in antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant abilities and rids your skin of impurities, dirt, and acne-causing germs. Apart from that, it helps to keep acne away because of its lauric acid[11]. Furthermore, this oil is beneficial for lowering the pain and inflammation caused by acne owing to its anti-inflammatory benefits.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one teaspoon
- Coconut oil – one teaspoon
How To Do
Mix the witch hazel and coconut oil in a bowl and apply it to your acne-prone areas with a cotton swab. Let it stay undisturbed for about twenty minutes until it dries. Rinse it off.
10. Witch Hazel And Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is an excellent cure for acne since it gives antiseptic and antibacterial benefits. It removes bacteria, oil, dirt, and other impurities, thus keeping your pores unclogged. It additionally possesses lactic acid that helps decrease acne[17]. It also helps to restore and balance the skin’s pH balance, which in turn prevents acne breakouts.
What You Need
- Witch hazel – one tablespoon
- ACV – one tablespoon
How To Do
Mix the ACV and witch hazel in a small bowl. Apply the solution to your acne with a cotton ball. Allow it to sit for around 20 minutes before rinsing with water. Reapply it once to twice a week.
III. Side Effects Of Witch Hazel
Witch hazel may lead to serious allergic reactions, including itching, swelling, rashes, nausea, breathing issues, and dizziness. Besides, avoid applying witch hazel to broken skin since it can cause irritate the skin further. Also, check with a doctor before using witch hazel for acne and other skin ailments.
Try including witch hazel in your skin care regimen to help combat acne. In addition to the above remedies with witch hazel for acne, you also need to do regular exercise and follow a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet to gain the optimum results. All of the contents provided in this post are for educational and informational purposes. We recommend you consult a dermatologist to determine which method is appropriate for you.
References
https://www.fabhow.com/witch-hazel-for-acne.html
https://www.wellandgood.com/good-looks/witch-hazel-good-for-acne-and-clearer-skin/
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/witch-hazel-for-acne/#gref
