How To Use Witch Hazel For Skin: 7 Uses & Warnings, Plus Best Products

While some skin care ingredients are general crowd favorites (think hyaluronic acid and vitamin C), others spark quite the controversy. One of the most disputed: witch hazel.

This ingredient has been used for medicinal purposes by Native Americans for centuries thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties1. Witch hazel has been used in commercial skin care products for quite some time as well, with new and improved products coming out every year. While this extract is typically found in toners and astringents, there are plenty more ways to use it.

"Witch hazel is a natural astringent, so it is often used to remove excess sebum and temporarily decrease the appearance of pores," board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., tells mbg. This makes witch hazel toners great for those with oily or acne-prone skin.

"I would recommend applying this step post-cleansing, before any topical medications or serums, then moisturizers, SPF, and makeup," King says. And if you find using a witch hazel toner every day dries you out, you may opt for every other or every few days instead.

Your scalp is your skin, after all, and witch hazel's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are A+ for this area as well. Especially if you're prone to oily roots and scalp buildup, witch hazel is a great ingredient to keep an eye out for. This astringent can be found in a number of different clarifying shampoos—one great pick below.

If you have dry and acne-prone skin, a witch hazel toner may be a bit too astringent to use on your whole face. However, you may still opt for witch hazel as a natural spot treatment. It will help to absorb excess oil and ease inflammation surrounding the breakout.

Witch hazel is a great addition to a DIY bath bomb. But instead of pouring witch hazel straight into your mix, you'll want to use a spray bottle to slowly incorporate the ingredient (otherwise the bath bomb will start to fizz!). The witch hazel will add moisture to help the bath bomb keep its shape yet dry enough that it doesn't fizz out.

If you frequently roll out your yoga mat, you should be mindful of how often you clean it as well. Bacteria and sweat can build up on unwashed mats and cause body breakouts, as well as increase the risk for infection when open wounds hit the mat (think blisters and small cuts or scrapes). 

"Witch hazel can be used by all skin types, though it is important to remember that not all witch hazel is created equal, so those with dry skin should opt for witch hazel products that are formulated without alcohol," Garshick notes.

Even alcohol-free formulas may irritate those with sensitive skin or allergies, so it's always best to patch test before going all-in. Further, those with dry skin should proceed with caution when using any astringent, given it can dry out skin even more.