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Witch Hazel Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (distillate as partial water replacement)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Witch hazel is the North American shrub Hamamelis virginiana, whose leaves, bark, and twigs yield one of the most familiar natural astringents. Two forms exist and behave differently: the distillate (witch hazel water, often with 14% alcohol) is low in tannins and prized for gentle toning, while the extract is rich in hamamelitannin, proanthocyanidins, and gallic acid with strong astringent, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activity [1]. Clinically, a hamamelis lotion reduced UV-induced redness [2], hamamelis ointment helped children with minor skin injuries and inflammation in a large observational study [4], and in atopic eczema a hamamelis cream was modestly effective though less so than hydrocortisone [3]. Witch hazel tones oily skin, calms shaving irritation and minor swelling, refreshes scalps, and can replace part of the water in soap.
What is Witch Hazel Extract made of?
Witch hazel extract is prepared by water or hydro-alcoholic extraction of leaves and bark (tannin-rich); the distillate is steam-distilled from twigs (tannin-poor, aromatic). Constituents [1]:
- Hamamelitannin and other tannins (up to 10% of bark): Astringent, antimicrobial, capillary-tightening; the extract’s defining fraction.
- Proanthocyanidins and catechins: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, UV-protective.
- Gallic acid and flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol): Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory.
- Volatile oil (eugenol, hexenol, safrole traces): Aromatic; present in the distillate.
- Alcohol (in traditional distillate, ~14%): Preservative and astringent; alcohol-free distillates are available for sensitive skin.
What skin type is best suited for Witch Hazel Extract?
Witch hazel suits oily and combination skin best; form and alcohol content determine tolerance:
- Oily: Astringent tannins reduce shine and refine pores.
- Combination: T-zone toning.
- Acne-prone: Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory; calms blemishes.
- Normal: Refreshing toner and post-shave.
- Sensitive: Alcohol-free distillate only; anti-inflammatory and UV-redness reduction [2]; patch test.
- Mature: Antioxidant proanthocyanidins; capillary support for redness.
- Dry: Alcohol-free, low-level use only; can be drying.
What hair type is best suited for Witch Hazel Extract?
Witch hazel refreshes and clarifies the scalp:
- Oily scalp: Astringent scalp toner between washes.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support against itch and flakes.
- Sensitive scalp: Alcohol-free distillate for cooling relief.
- Straight and wavy: Scalp refresh sprays.
- Curly and coily: Alcohol-free scalp toner under protective styles.
- Color-treated, mature or thinning: Scalp clarifying at low levels.
- Dry or damaged: Alcohol-free, scalp only.
What are the benefits of Witch Hazel Extract?
Witch hazel’s benefits are supported by clinical and laboratory studies [1–4]:
- Astringent and pore-refining: Tannins tighten skin and reduce oil.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduced UV-induced erythema in a controlled test [2]; modest benefit in eczema [3].
- Soothing for minor injuries: Improved minor skin injuries and inflammation in children in an observational study [4].
- Antioxidant: Proanthocyanidins and gallic acid scavenge radicals [1].
- Antimicrobial: Tannins inhibit acne and scalp bacteria.
- Capillary support and de-puffing: Traditional for under-eye puffiness, bruising, and varicose discomfort.
- Post-shave and post-wax relief: Calms razor burn and ingrown-hair irritation.
- Scalp refreshing: Oil control and itch relief.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Witch hazel extract and distillate fit all four ORY® lines; the distillate can even replace part of the water in soap (its alcohol may speed trace).
Pros and cons of Witch Hazel Extract
Pros
Cons
- Clinically studied astringent: [2, 3, 4].
- Two forms for two needs: Distillate for gentle toning; extract for potency.
- High recognition and affordability: Consumer staple.
- Multipurpose: Skin, scalp, soap, and makeup.
- Natural North American botanical: Sustainable harvest.
- Alcohol content: Traditional distillate can dry and irritate; use alcohol-free for sensitive skin.
- Over-use dryness: Daily high-tannin use can compromise the barrier.
- Modest vs. steroids: Less effective than hydrocortisone for eczema [3].
- Preservation: Alcohol-free distillates need preservatives.
- Rare allergy: Patch test.
What is the best application of Witch Hazel Extract?
Witch hazel is a toner, post-shave rescue, and scalp refresher:
- Toner: AM/PM on oily zones after cleansing; alcohol-free for sensitive skin.
- Post-shave or post-wax: Immediately after hair removal for redness and bumps.
- Eye gel or pads: Chilled, alcohol-free, for puffiness.
- After-sun mist: With aloe and cucumber [2].
- Acne pads: With salicylic acid or willow bark.
- Scalp toner: Between washes for oily scalps.
- Soap: Witch hazel bars for oily, blemish-prone skin.
- Cosmetics: Mattifying primer; setting spray.
Peer-reviewed references
- Thring TSA, Hili P, Naughton DP. Antioxidant and potential anti-inflammatory activity of extracts and formulations of white tea, rose, and witch hazel on primary human dermal fibroblast cells. Journal of Inflammation (London). 2011;8:27.
- Hughes-Formella BJ, Bohnsack K, Rippke F, et al. Anti-inflammatory effect of hamamelis lotion in a UVB erythema test. Dermatology. 1998;196(3):316–322.
- Korting HC, Schäfer-Korting M, Klövekorn W, Klövekorn G, Martin C, Laux P. Comparative efficacy of hamamelis distillate and hydrocortisone cream in atopic eczema. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 1995;48(6):461–465.
- Wolff HH, Kieser M. Hamamelis in children with skin disorders and skin injuries: results of an observational study. European Journal of Pediatrics. 2007;166(9):943–948.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about witch hazel as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including minor skin irritations, insect bites, cuts, scrapes, hemorrhoids, eczema, acne, bruises, or varicose veins. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Witch hazel is an FDA over-the-counter astringent drug ingredient. ORY® witch hazel products are cosmetics unless the label includes a Drug Facts panel.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Witch hazel distillates that contain alcohol can sting and dry the skin, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
