Does witch hazel work on oily skin ?


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WITCH HAZEL

What is witch hazel?

Native to the USA, this shrub is also known as winterbloom. It can be grown in gardens as a low-maintenance medicinal plant. It attracts beneficial insects and hummingbirds, and is often liked by gardeners. The plant is mostly safe, but consuming any parts isn’t recommended.

What is it best for?

Witch hazel can be applied to the skin to help protect it against damage. It has powerful antioxidants that improve skin health. Toners containing witch hazel extract have been found to relieve irritation and inflammation. It also reverses signs of aging, clears oily skin, and helps heal skin quicker.

What is the drawback?

Witch hazel may not be safe for human consumption. It may cause stomach upset when eaten. Used topically, it can cause mild irritation. Some people are allergic to it, so make sure you test it first. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using witch hazel.


OILY SKIN

What is oily skin? 

Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the pores are producing more oil, or sebum, than necessary. Sebum is natural in all skin as it keeps the skin moist and healthy. Over production of sebum can be caused by hormones, genetics or could even be a result of dry skin over-compensating by producing extra oil, in order to retain some measure of moisture. 

Oily skin can also be caused by using the wrong products for your skin type. For example, if you are using overly drying soaps and astringents for your skin type, your skin may respond by over producing oil to compensate, as mentioned above. This can create an unfortunate cycle of using harsh soaps to eliminate oils, but instead exacerbating the problem. 

On the other hand, overly oily makeup and products can also cause oily skin. 

What ingredients are best for oily skin?

Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells to keep pores unclogged and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for treating acne as well. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep oily pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil is also good for fighting bacteria trapped in oily skin and maintaining a moisture barrier to prevent over-production of sebum.


Does witch hazel work on oily skin ?

witch hazel may be effective for oily skin, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.


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