The witch hazel water is a tonic with properties for skin and eye care. It has benefits for closing pores, improving the appearance of small veins that appear on the face, around the nose, and also works as an astringent.
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Witch hazel properties
The leaves of witch hazel and in some cases the bark of this shrub have astringent properties so they are widely used as a facial tonic in the form of water, a medicinal preparation to improve the appearance of the skin, renew the epidermis, and make the pores on the nose smaller.
The active ingredients from the Hamamelidaceae plants are extracted, and witch hazel water is applied to the skin. It reduces inflammation and has benefits for eye congestion, meaning it can help reduce dark circles.
Additionally, another very useful property is its ability to close open pores. It can be prepared in different masks that, when mixed properly and left on for a few minutes, can make the skin look much better, with less tendency to develop blackheads and pimples. It helps to get rid of oily skin. But let’s take a look at all the properties of witch hazel:
- Astringent tonic.
- Helps close open pores.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Decongestant.
- Reduces dark circles.
- Improves leg heaviness and fluid retention.
- Relieves pain in the calves.
- Works against spider veins.
In general, cosmetics with witch hazel water or preparations with leaves are widely used against acne and oily skin. It eliminates excess facial sebum and prevents open pores from getting clogged with dirt.
The highlight is the fight against couperosis or spider veins. It is effective in reducing small clusters of veins that frequently appear on the nose.
Let’s take a closer look at this last property…
Witch hazel water for open pores
An astringent is a substance that tightens tissues and has healing effects. It is very common to use different plants to prepare cosmetics for this purpose, such as rose water or with witch hazel virginiana, as it contains vitamins and flavonoids that are very beneficial for the skin.
When these types of waters are used on the pores of the nose, cheeks, or forehead, they offer benefits for tightening and closing the pores. Although its effect is limited and it should be used over a long period of time, it can be an ideal complement, either in a tonic or in cream form, to improve the appearance of the “Swiss cheese” look on the nose. Of course, if there are many and deep ones, it may be necessary to undergo some laser sessions to improve their appearance.
Witch hazel water for spider veins
Some people suffer from what is known as couperosis or the dilation of small capillaries on the wings of the nose, around it, or on the cheekbones. This condition forms a red or violet spider web, with many fine threads that spoil the appearance and are difficult to hide. Well, for spider veins, witch hazel water is a natural remedy.
The effect it has on small capillaries is venotonic, so it reduces their presence and helps them become less dilated, making the veins less visible on the face. Witch hazel tonic can also be used to treat this condition in the body, such as when spider veins appear on the legs.
You can use the water as a witch hazel preparation for this purpose. The facial tonic is very practical because you just need to apply a few drops on a gauze or inert makeup removal pad and moisten the area where the spider veins are located. Alternatively, you can prepare a homemade mask with the leaves or bark and leave it on for a longer time. This way, it will have a stronger astringent effect.
Witch hazel water as eye drops
Fortunately, all the properties of the plant can be extracted so that people can benefit from them, and in this case, it is in the form of witch hazel eye drops.
This type of product relieves eye irritation and improves dryness caused by environmental changes or prolonged time in front of the computer screen, reading for hours, or straining the eyes with small details.
The eye liquid comes in a small bottle so you can apply witch hazel water as eye drops, in drops. It is available in several affordable and reasonably priced brands. So, you won’t have trouble finding it and ordering it.
For dark circles
Just like it has its aqueous formulation to mix with eye liquid, it can also be used for the lower eyelid area. With its anti-inflammatory effects, it reduces eyelid swelling and also improves blood flow, working together to eliminate the dark lines in the tear duct area.
For better results in eliminating dark circles with witch hazel water, it is advisable to chill it beforehand. This enhances its dark circle and decongestant properties, further relieving the capillaries under the eyes. However, it may be an effective remedy for some types of dark circles caused by fatigue or stress, but if they are very pronounced, it may be too mild to completely eliminate them.
To use witch hazel water for dark circles, simply place the tonic in the fridge for a while to lower its temperature. Then, when applying it to each dark circle, you will notice that the cold decongests them while the active ingredients penetrate the skin.
Fluid retention and leg pain
Another very important benefit is that its anti-inflammatory effect also promotes circulation. So, just like it helps in the eye area, applying witch hazel virginiana tonic to the legs can bring relief.
If you are prone to fluid retention, performing massages or compresses with witch hazel can be very useful. Over time, it can improve some of the unpleasant symptoms, such as leg pain and heaviness in the limbs throughout the day.
Buying witch hazel water at the pharmacy or supermarket
Here, as with most facial tonics and other uses, you can choose from various brands. Some are more expensive than others but offer an extra touch in their composition. Nowadays, you can buy it at Eroski, Mercadona, and other supermarkets and large chains, with or without a store brand. The variety is wide.
It is worth mentioning that not all witch hazel waters are the same. It is assumed that pharmacy-grade witch hazel water has a certain level of control, giving it greater potency than other cosmetics found in wholesale stores, the typical places where you buy your groceries and, along the way, pick up a cream to look beautiful. But it is not always the case. In practice, there is a variety. So, the best option is to buy a trusted brand or at least one whose products you have used before and already know that it works and delivers good results.
Another option is to keep an open mind to suggestions and recommendations from acquaintances. Often, this allows you to make great discoveries in tonics for skin care.
