Youll Love These 26 Magic Ways to Use Witch Hazel

Meet your skin's new best friend!

Witch Hazel is one of those simple, natural products that most of us probably already have on hand, but that we don’t use very often. (I’ve been guilty of that!) You can easily find Witch Hazel products in your local drug store because common Witch Hazel is such a powerful first aid tool. So, I think it’s time to bring that bottle out of the cupboard and start putting it to good use! Today I’ll be sharing a few practical uses for Witch Hazel, several of which are perfect for handling spring and summer maladies.

But before we launch into the uses, let’s get the lowdown on just what the heck Witch Hazel actually is. ;-)

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What Is Witch Hazel?

American Witch Hazel is produced from the leaves and bark of the Witch Hazel plant found in North America (Hamamelis Virginiana) and was widely used as an herbal medicine s by Native Americans. When distilled and combined with alcohol, the aromatic oil extracted from the bark of the Witch Hazel shrub makes a soothing and mildly astringent lotion.

These natural qualities make Witch Hazel a perfect remedy for all kinds of skin conditions, but it has several more uses than that!

Is Witch Hazel a Disinfectant?

Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, you can use Witch Hazel as a mild disinfectant for cuts or scrapes thanks to the natural grain alcohol that appears in most brands you can buy over the counter! The presence of this natural alcohol is one reason Witch Hazel is a more gentle astringent than rubbing alcohol.

Some tests have even shown Witch Hazel to have antiviral properties. However, Witch Hazel should not be considered an effective disinfectant if you’re trying to protect yourself from influenza or Coronavirus, since the CDC recommends using a disinfectant with at least 60% alcohol. Witch Hazel typically contains only 13-14% alcohol, which means it won’t get the job done for this task!

However, there are plenty of other ways to use Witch Hazel! Read on to learn 26 of my favorites.

26 Uses For Witch Hazel

2. Homemade “Tucks” Cooling Pads

A doctor once recommended Tucks cooling pads to me as a way to cope with hemorrhoids, and unfortunate side effects of child birth, constipation, and colonoscopy prep. : -/ So I made up some of my own “Tucks” to use during this uncomfortable time, and I am happy to report they were a little slice of heaven on earth.

To make them, add a couple of drops of lavender essential oil to about an ounce of Witch Hazel. Mix well, then dip round cotton pads in the solution. Place them in the freezer for an hour or so, then use as needed. Ahhhh… the relief is sublime!

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3. Acne Treatment

The tannin content in Witch Hazel has strong astringent and antioxidant properties. These astringent properties are cleansing to the skin while minimizing the size of skin pores. Unlike many harsh commercial acne formulations, it is gentle and non-drying when used to tone and cleanse acne- infected or acne-prone skin. Plain Witch Hazel may be applied to the skin straight from the bottle using cotton balls.

4. Tighten Bags Under The Eyes

Some people say that the application of hemorrhoid cream to those bags under your eyes can take them away. It’s not an old wives’ tale. A primary ingredient in products like Preparation H is Witch Hazel, which helps tighten up the skin and reduce the bagginess.

5. Soothe Razor Burn

The anti-inflammatory properties of Witch Hazel stop itchy bumps from forming up around your irritated hair follicles. Splash on after shaving legs or face.

6. Soothe Chicken Pox Blisters

Witch Hazel can also help the itching caused by chickenpox. To make a Witch Hazel mixture, mix one cup of Witch Hazel with one cup of water and apply to the skin and it let dry. You can apply as often as needed.

8. Soothe Diaper Rash

If your baby’s rash isn’t healing quick enough, apply Witch Hazel or Witch Hazel distillate with a cotton ball. You should see an immediate improvement to your baby’s bottom.

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9. Heal Cuts and Scrapes

Many chemists and pharmacists refer to Witch Hazel as nature’s answer to Neosporin. Witch Hazel can be a substitute for hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol when it comes to cleaning out a cut. Pour a liberal amount of Witch Hazel over the cut or sore and allow it to dry. Add a bandage, and you’re set. You can also use Witch Hazel on bruises or skin that is blistered or cracked.

10. Hide Scars & Stretch Marks

Witch Hazel is often used by pregnant women to prevent stretch marks, but it can be used to help tighten loose or excessive skin around scars or stretch marks, helping to make them less apparent.

12. Reduce Varicose Vein Swelling

To reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins, prop your legs up, soak wash cloths in Witch Hazel and lay them on your legs to reduce pain and swelling from varicose veins. The Witch Hazel will help to tighten the veins, relieving the discomfort temporarily.

13. Treat Dry Skin

This is so timely for me right now. Lately legs have just been itching like crazy because they are so dry! Apply Witch Hazel immediately after showering to lock in the moisture that has just soaked into your skin.

And for those times when an itchy patch of skin is driving you crazy, our Production Manager Brittany has an easy Witch Hazel remedy! She saturates a cotton ball with Witch Hazel and uses it to swab the itchy area. After the Witch Hazel has dried, she places one drop of lavender essential oil onto the skin and follows it with a squirt of her favorite lotion. The combination of Witch Hazel, lavender oil, and lotion knocks out all kinds of itchy and scratchy skin woes.

14. Soothe Tired, Puffy Eyes

If your eyes are puffy from crying or lack of sleep (or both), then soak two small cotton pads with Witch Hazel and put them over your eyes. After 10 minutes, your eyes should be refreshed, and any redness should be gone. Witch Hazel is famous for shrinking blood vessels (which is why it’s one of the main ingredients in Preparation H cream).

18. Reduce Soreness and Inflammation In Sore Gums, Sore Throat, Laryngitis

The antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and astringent activity of Witch Hazel may help shrink and heal inflamed or sore throats, gums, and larynx. Witch Hazel tea infused with myrrh and cloves can make your sore throat feel better after gargling.

19. Dogs Ear Cleaner

Give your dog’s ears a cleaning by moistening a cotton ball or cloth with Witch Hazel, and gently wiping the inside of the ears. Don’t use a cotton swab.

20. Extract Ticks

Insect bites are one downside to nice weather, and tick-infested areas are of special concern. Ticks may relish the taste of your family pet, but they hate the taste of Witch Hazel. Before attempting to remove a tick, douse the tick with a few drops of Witch Hazel to make it loosen its jaws. Grasp the tick firmly and pull; disinfect the bite area by dabbing the skin with Witch Hazel once the tick has been successfully removed.

21. Versatile Household Cleaner

Witch Hazel can also be combined with lemon juice and baking soda to create an eco-friendly cleaning agent for your bathrooms. Or use it undiluted on chrome, glass, and mirrors. You don’t need to rinse as the alcohol-based cleaner readily evaporates, leaving the chrome sparkling clean and germ-free.

Vinyl, linoleum, and tile floors can be kept clean by mopping once a week with a solution made from 1/2 cup of Witch Hazel and 1 gallon of warm water. The solvents in the Witch Hazel strip away old wax while the water dissolves dirt and debris. To clean heavily soiled floors, stir 1 tablespoon of borax into the solution prior to mopping. Borax is an inexpensive cleaning product without all the toxins that most commercial cleaners have. No more streaks and harsh chemicals being wiped all over your floor!

22. Treat Cold Sores

Apply Witch Hazel on a cold sore when you feel it coming on to prevent it from becoming a blister. If you already have one, use it right away and often, and the blister will heal quicker.

23. Jewelry Cleaner

Dab some Witch Hazel on a cotton ball to gently clean your jewelry.

24. Deep Cleanse Your Scalp

Use a Witch Hazel hair-cleansing routine if you suffer from psoriasis, eczema, or dandruff. Massage the scalp with Witch Hazel, followed by shampoo and conditioner. It is also an efficient “between-shampoos” method of washing your hair and scalp.

26. Heal Bruises Faster

I can’t believe I’ve never heard of this before! I am the worst bruiser! My husband likes to say I “bruise like a summer peach.” : -) Now I know how to get rid of those bruises FASTER…apply Witch Hazel three times daily.

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making ishonest a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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