Many brands witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol preparation Review

Overall 4.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

TunefulGal
Los Angeles, CA

Nature's toner: Witch hazel is 'cutting to the chase'.

into natural products, very skin conscious, into anti-aging creams, value conscious, a tender flower, health conscious

Pros

works well on most skin, a basic and natural product, not highly hyped, not expensive

NOV

2008

Many brands witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol preparation —

Refreshing, cleansing, unadvertised and uncomplicated!

If your budget is slender, and you believe that age-old products can work as well as complicated new ones... try witch hazel. Native Americans used it early on for medicinal purposes recognizing in their own way what we now think of as valuable, strong antioxidant properties.

Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which, in its original form, contains tannin, catechins, flavonoids (kaempferol and quercetin), choline and more. Witch hazel extract is steamed from twigs of the bush hamamelis virginian which grows in the U.S. and Canada.

     This extract is mixed in many ways for different soothing and healing purposes. The version used as a facial toner lacks tannin, is combined with 14% isopropyl alcohol and is not to be used internally. You can purchase it in any drugstore for about five dollars.
     I've got a bottle of the CVS label and another of the T.N. Dickinson's brand in my cabinet. Though one bottle is prettier, the contents are virtually the same. The scent is light and woody rather than alcoholic. It seems a tad stronger in the CVS version, but that's really splitting hairs.
     My facial routine at bedtime is snappy. I wash my face, dampen a cosmetic pad with witch hazel, apply it to my nose, chin and hairline areas, apply night cream or not, and go to bed. The routine varies only if this Californian goes from 8% humidity Santa Ana wind conditions to 80% humidity (or back). If I've perspired a lot, I do my whole face with witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol since it cleans, tightens the skin, and reduces inflammation.
     Witch hazel is also the basis for hand lotions, hemorrhoid pads, and (for internal use) tincture or tea. A combination of witch hazel and arnica is said to promote healing and reduce discomfort of bruises and sprains. (I can vouch for the arnica part.)
     Look for more witch hazel healing properties at www.health.howstuffworks.com/ witch-hazel-herbal-remedies. Wikipedia has very good botanical info and pictures additional to the ones here.

Last edited on Nov 23, 2008

Many brands witch hazel/isopropyl alcohol preparation is recommended by TunefulGal

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Comments about TunefulGal’s Review

Ahoy, Witch Hazel! Geez, I haven't thought of that in YEARS and didn't really know too much about it except that my Dad used to use it for something. Maybe I'll pick up a bot!