You want smoother-looking skin? Bring out an old remedy, witch hazel. The astringent has been around for decades, and can actually aid in skin firming, giving your face a tighter, more youthful look. We take a closer look at witch hazel and what it can do to make you look younger in a flash:
What it is: Witch hazel is an extract derived from the leaves and the bark of the hamamelis virginiana shrub. Native Americans used it for medicinal purposes, and today, it’s combined with alcohol and sold as an astringent for beauty purposes.
What it does: Just like a wine, witch hazel is rich in tannins. These chemicals help with skin firming by shrinking and constricting skin tissue, which gives it a smooth look. When the alcohol preparation goes on, it instantly feels cool, and in response, tissues temporarily contract and look tighter.
When to use it: While astringent will give you a firmer look, it’s still not recommended to use it regularly, since it’s very drying. If you want an instant smoother look, soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and gently rub it on your face. Apply a moisturizer immediately after. You may also spot witch hazel in skin firming creams, but don’t worry about overdrying—the hydrating ingredients will be moisturizing and compensate for the dry effects.
The Bottom line: Witch hazel may be a great way to look younger right now, but long term, don’t expect it to prevent wrinkles. You should also be wary of a cream that touts it as its miracle ingredient—once the shrinking effect wears off, your wrinkles will be more noticeable.
At the end of the day witch hazel is a great natural ingredient that has been proven to be effective, just be aware of how it works.
Have you used any natural astringents before? Any experience with witch hazel? Let us know in the comment section!