The Wonders of Witch Hazel

Whether you suffer from acne or not, they are some things that are just plain good for you.  :)

Witch Hazel.  Have you heard of it?  Do you know what it is?  It is wonderful and from the earth, and I think, great for your skin.  When I first started to really "go after" my acne problem, I remember seeing something on-line somewhere (can't for the life of me remember where now) about the benefits of witch hazel.  I started using Thayer's Original Witch Hazel (around since 1847! :) I figured they must know Something about what they are doing) with Aloe Vera formula (I wanted the aloe vera specifically to help with healing).  I know there are other brands out there, but I like the sound of original, I like the sound of natural, and they say it is derived from a time honored Native American formula, and I Know they know what they are doing.  I got it from our local health food store.  Not only is it something that the earth provides for us and is gentle on your skin, but it is Affordable!  I paid about $9 for a 12 oz. bottle, and that was three months ago.  I still have about a 3rd of the bottle left and use it twice a day, sometimes more.  That is doable!  

Since my teenage years, I have pretty consistently used various toners/astringents on my face.  When I was wearing makeup in particular, face wash just didn't seem to get it all off.  I needed something more.  The problem with most "fancy" astringents is that they can over-dry your skin, and they have things in them that you really just don't need (such as alcohol)!  Ah, I have learned the beauty of simplicity.  The first thing I started to do for my face was to start using an organic facewash; the second was to use Witch Hazel.  For me, it is mostly for an extra exfoliation.  But also, you often just don't notice how much accumulates on your face throughout the day, such as sweat, oil, and grime.  It is a great way to just clean off and refresh your face mid-day.  I think that my face beginning to clear up was a result of many things together, but I can honestly say when I first started really noticing a difference, it was shortly after I had started using Witch Hazel.

Witch Hazel does not over dry your skin but rather, I feel, helps it maintain a natural balance of moisture.  By nature, I have oily skin, and this is something that does not make it more oily, unlike many things I have tried in the past.  Taken right from the bottle:  it says it can "help to tighten pores and smooth skin.... derived from the bark, it is not distilled, thereby maintaining all the beneficial natural tannins."

Here's a random website I found if you want to know a little more about Witch Hazel.  :)  http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/witch-hazel-herbal-remedies.htm  Read the note at the bottom about the medical cautions, although I think it is intended more if you ingest it internally; because, yes, there are Many uses for Witch Hazel.  Also, think I read somewhere that women who are pregnant or nursing should talk to their doctors first.  But all of that being said, it is Definitely something I would recommend checking out!

Cheers!