Witch hazel oil is a popular ingredient in skincare and skin treatment products due to the many benefits it has when applied topically. If you are interested in adding witch hazel oil into your daily routine, you may be wondering exactly what these benefits are and how witch hazel oil can help you.
Our article gives you details on the benefits of witch hazel oil in addition to advice on how to incorporate witch hazel oil into your skincare routine for the best outcomes possible.
What Is Witch Hazel Oil?
Witch hazel oil is the oil made from the witch hazel plant, also sometimes called winterbloom. This plant has a long history of being used in traditional medicine, and it remains popular today as an addition to skincare and skin treatment products.
The aroma of witch hazel oil is mild, somewhat herbal, and woodsy or earthy. Oftentimes, you will not be able to smell witch hazel oil very clearly due to it being mixed with other ingredients in a skincare product, but many individuals find the aroma of pure witch hazel oil to be fairly pleasant.
The Many Benefits of Witch Hazel Oil
Witch hazel oil, when crafted into a carrier oil, can be used directly on the skin. There are many benefits for using witch hazel oil topically, the most notable of which we list below. You’ll want to be sure you purchase a high-quality witch hazel oil (like this option) to reap all the benefits.
Acne Fighting
One of the most well-known benefits of witch hazel oil is its ability to fight acne and blemishes. Witch hazel has antiviral properties that work to fight bacteria on the skin, and it can clear or reduce oil in pores.
Combined with the skin soothing benefits it provides, regular use of witch hazel oil or an acne treatment product crafted with witch hazel oil can reduce the appearance of acne and eventually eliminate blemishes or acne scars altogether.
Skin Toning
Witch hazel is known as an astringent, meaning that it draws water and oil out of pores. This can help clear pores and reduce the overall appearance of the pores on your skin when used regularly.
Witch hazel oil can be gently massaged onto your face to give it a toned, plump appearance, and regular use of witch hazel for skin toning may help soothe skin and fight the appearance of fine lines or blemishes.
Treats Insect Bites
A more traditional use of witch hazel oil is the treatment of wounds and insect bites. Witch hazel oil is known to be soothing and anti-inflammatory, and when massaged gently over an area with a bug bite it can stop swelling, reduce redness, and prevent itching or discomfort. Witch hazel may also be able to encourage healing, but more studies are being conducted on this benefit.
Anti-Inflammatory
Witch hazel is well-known as an anti-inflammatory, and this is something that makes witch hazel so beneficial when applied to the skin. You can add witch hazel oil to your favorite massage lotion or gently rub the oil alone onto aching muscles, areas of skin irritation or itchiness, or areas that need to benefit from the soothing properties of this oil.
With regular use, witch hazel can also reduce redness, swelling, dry skin, and irritation on the skin caused by conditions like eczema.
Treats Sunburn
It may be surprising to some, but witch hazel oil is actually fairly helpful when it comes to treating sunburn. This oil is soothing and anti-inflammatory, and this helps to reduce any burning pain, itchiness, or redness as your sunburn heals. You can combine witch hazel oil with a cooling aloe lotion to fully treat sunburn and encourage it to heal as quickly as possible.
How Do I Use Witch Hazel Oil?
Witch hazel oil can seem confusing to deal with at first, especially if you have never applied witch hazel oil to your skin before. However, you shouldn’t let this stop you from adding witch hazel oil to your skincare routine.
The following ways are all great options for using witch hazel oil:
- Apply witch hazel oil in a thin layer to your face to treat acne or to use as a pore-tightening toner
- Add witch hazel oil to your favorite massage oil or body oil to help soothe muscles or treat inflammation
- Combine witch hazel oil with your favorite nighttime lotion to benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties overnight
- Add witch hazel oil to a bug bite treatment cream for added relief from itchiness or skin irritation
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t apply witch hazel oil into open wounds or wounds that require medical treatment. You should also utilize a patch test and apply a small amount of witch hazel oil onto your wrist and wait at least twenty-four hours before you apply it in large amounts all over your body, as this helps to ensure you won’t have a reaction to the oil.
What Can I Combine With Witch Hazel Oil?
Witch hazel oil is fairly versatile, and you can add several other essential oils into your witch hazel carrier oil to craft a specific fragrance or to add more skincare benefits. We recommend blending your witch hazel carrier oil with essential oils such as frankincense, rosemary, lavender, vanilla, or tea tree oil.
Incorporating Witch Hazel Oil Into Your Routine
Witch hazel oil is beneficial in many ways, and this oil often makes a great addition to your skincare routine if you are looking to treat skin inflammation, reduce skin irritation, tone your skin, or fight acne. Make sure you test witch hazel oil before using it all over your body, and always start out slowly when adding a new item to your beauty and skincare plans.
