Witch Hazel For Acne: A Natural Source of Topical Antioxidants
The acne industry is usually worth $21 billion a year worldwide. Every year facial cleansers in addition to also wipes become ever more complicated in addition to also intricate. Endless money in addition to also ever more scientists are pumped in daily to finally create the perfect acne treatment.
Yet incredibly all their efforts have failed to match the barks in addition to also leaves of one American plant. This kind of natural remedy is usually unheard of among teenage acne patients however the Native Americans have utilised its never-ending properties for hundreds of years.
The amazing plant in question is usually witch hazel. Also known as hamamelis, witch hazel is usually a genus of flowering plants with 5 species found worldwide; 3 from the USA, in addition to also one each in China in addition to also Japan. The North American varieties are occasionally known as winterbloom in addition to also often stand 3 to 8 metres tall. The three specific North American species are also known as Snapping Hazel, Spotted Alder, in addition to also Tobacco Wood. As you can see via the picture to the left, of which grows in attractive blossoms of yellow to orange-red flowers.
What truly matters is usually witch hazel’s extensive usage as a natural remedy for skin conditions. of which started out when Theron T. Pond, resident of brand new York, met having a tribe of Indians known as the Oneida tribe then located in Central brand new York.
He discovered of which for burns, boils in addition to also wounds of almost every description, the Indians were using a ‘tea’ made by their Medicine Man via a species of plant known as witch hazel. The Medicine Man created the extract by steeping the shrub in an ordinary teakettle. He obtained a liquid which was coloured however as clear as water, in addition to also had a peculiar aroma found via in no some other plant.
Mr Pond then spent months working with the Medicine man to perfect the mixture of alcohol in addition to also the distillation, to create the original witch hazel cleanser: “Pond’s Extract”. of which was from the 1840s. Nowadays, witch hazel is usually used as a foundation in many toners, cleansers, clarifying products in addition to also makeup removers by pharmaceutical companies such as Estée Lauder, L’Oreal, Revlon in addition to also Neutrogena.
You can also buy topical cleansers with witch hazel as the main ingredient, in addition to also as we will currently discuss, there’s a goldmine of glowing studies for witch hazel, against all manner of skin conditions.
Witch hazel is usually bursting with antioxidants…
All plants contain at least little amounts of antioxidants; a plant needs them for defence against UV light, diseases, in addition to also in some cases, tiny predators such as insects or bacteria. Witch hazel however, is usually on a whole some other level.
The witch hazel leaves in addition to also bark via which the extract is usually distilled contain up to 10% tannins by weight. Tannins are a type of polyphenol antioxidant which has been shown in many studies to reduce inflammation in addition to also irritation when applied topically.
Specifically, the bark contains the unique hamamelitannins, while the leaves contain ellagitannins. The presence of ellagitannins is usually especially interesting as they are known to have strong antioxidant activity; This kind of study examined ellagitannins via red raspberries in addition to also cloudberries in addition to also concluded of which “cloudberry in addition to also red raspberry ellagitannins were highly effective as radical scavengers”.
This kind of study tested hamamelitannins via witch hazel bark. of which found of which “hamamelitannin in addition to also gallic acid showed potent scavenging activities against all active oxygens tested”, or in some other words, of which effectively destroyed free radicals. Furthermore, This kind of study was performed on cells exposed to UVB radiation via sunlight, a common source of the free radicals behind acne in humans.
Witch hazel contains many some other antioxidants in addition to also natural compounds according to This kind of study, including gallic acid, catechins, proanthocyanins, flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin), essential oils (carvacrol, eugenol, hexenol), choline, in addition to also saponins. Applying these antioxidants topically is usually terrific for acne since they deactivate free radicals on the surface of the skin. Free radicals lead to blocked pores through damage to sebum in addition to also acne itself through inflammation.
…which have proven free radical hunting powers
Tons of studies have demonstrated witch hazel’s strong antioxidant powers overall. A series of three studies via 1993, 1994, in addition to also 1995 examined the extract of both witch hazel leaf in addition to also bark, extracted with alcohol.
The extracts were applied to a wide variety of free radicals, in addition to also a variety of promising results were obtained. The scientists commented of which witch hazel had antioxidant activity comparable to superoxide dismutase, one of the most powerful antioxidants from the human Centeng. They claimed of which witch hazel had a high affinity for human cells in addition to also cell membranes in addition to also hence was highly equipped to defend them against reactive oxygen species (free radicals).
Witch hazel was also tested on guinea pig skin in addition to also found to have a large suppressive activity on peroxidation, which is usually excellent news, because peroxidation of the oil (sebum) on human skin is usually a major cause of acne. Witch hazel had a synergistic effect with vitamin E; of which enhanced its antioxidant powers. Vitamin E is usually the most important antioxidant for preventing acne
Interestingly, the bark extract was found to have stronger antioxidant powers than the leaf, though both were effective. Hamamelitannins were specifically noted to effectively protect skin cells against injury via active free radicals. of which’s as close to stating “of which’s an effective acne treatment” as you can get without actually saying of which.
Topical antioxidants are a major development from the pharmaceutical skincare industry, however witch hazel is usually a ready-made type found in nature. Furthermore, of which features a complexity in addition to also variety of both known in addition to also still unknown antioxidants of which pharmaceutical scientists will likely not match for some time. Different antioxidants tackle different free radicals (though with substantial overlap), so a large variety gives you the best possible chance to prevent acne.
Witch hazel grants eternal youth?
Witch hazel has also been shown to tackle aging, which may partly be due to the inhibition of free radicals by antioxidants, or some other plant compounds of which improve collagen synthesis, lessen inflammation, improve resistance of cells to damage, or function mysteriously. In 2005 a clinical study was performed having a witch hazel ointment, which studied dry aging skin in 89 patients having a minimum age of 50 years. Patients were treated with Hametum (witch hazel) ointment, applied twice daily for a total of four weeks.
At the conclusion of the study there was “a significant in addition to also clinically relevant improvement of skin sebum content in addition to also moisture”. The improvement of symptoms was statistically significant for every variable tested, which included skin tautness, skin roughness, in addition to also itching. A pronounced improvement was noted after just two weeks of witch hazel treatment.
Also, there were no side effects; the tolerability of the skin was noted as being very Great.
In addition to the aging reversal, the scientists commented of which witch hazel had potential wound healing properties. They commented of which the observed effects of witch hazel could be caused by “the healing promoting action of the hamamelis (witch hazel) distillate contained from the ointment”. of which’s possible of which This kind of could translate to healing old in addition to also drying acne faster.
Witch hazel is usually strongly anti-inflammatory
The ability of witch hazel to inhibit inflammatory chemicals from the skin, chemicals such as interleukin-8, IL-6, in addition to also TNF-a which are common causes of acne, is usually one of its strongest points.
Our first study via 1993 combined witch hazel with an aftersun lotion to create a 10% witch hazel solution in addition to also tested its anti-inflammatory powers against several some other aftersun lotions which didn’t contain WH. The test subjects were 30 healthy volunteers with mild sunburn. One group was treated with the witch hazel aftersun while some other groups received aftersun lotions without witch hazel. Both groups were examined 7hrs, 24 hrs, in addition to also 48hrs after the initial sunburn.
After 7 hours, the witch hazel successfully suppressed sunburn symptoms by roughly 20% in addition to also by 48hrs This kind of had increased to 27%. Meanwhile, the some other lotions suppressed sunburn symptoms by a mere 11-15%.
According to the scientists: “Significant differences were noted between hamamelis in addition to also these lotions”. They reached a promising conclusion: “The results provide evidence for the topical use of hamamelis distillate for the treatment of minor inflammatory skin diseases which do not need treatment with potent corticosteroids”. Acne vulgaris is usually exactly of which: a minor inflammatory skin disease. Another study via 1998 also demonstrated of which witch hazel could combat inflammation caused by excessive sun exposure.
A more recent study via 2001 tested the anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel against human skin of which had been deliberately irritated with sodium lauryl sulphate, which is usually a controversial ingredient in many shampoos in addition to also personal care products. In fact, SLS is usually often blamed by many for causing acne itself.
Scientists applied SLS to the forearms of 15 healthy volunteers, in addition to also compared witch hazel to several products without witch hazel. Apparently, the witch hazel caused significant reductions in skin redness after seven days. The reduction in inflammation was comparable to the drug hydrocortisone, which was also tested.
The history of witch hazel is usually promising
As we discussed earlier, the Native Americans used witch hazel bark extract for a wide variety of ailments, in addition to also many are indicative of its anti-inflammatory properties.
The Osage tribe of the Midwest used witch hazel bark to treat sores in addition to also skin ulcers, in addition to also the Iroquoi brewed a tea to treat dysentery, colds, in addition to also coughs. The Potawatomi tribe of the Great Plains even steamed the twigs over hot rocks in their sweat lodges to soothe sore muscles.
Many different tribes produced witch hazel extract by boiling the stems of the shrub in addition to also producing a concoction which was used to treat swellings, tumours, in addition to also some other inflammatory conditions. Treating eye inflammation is usually an especially documented usage of witch hazel extract, as is usually lessening the pain of ingrown toenails.
There are many some other conditions which witch hazel has been used to treat: insect bites, poison ivy, psoriasis, shaving cuts, varicose veins. Not all are fully supported by scientists, however witch hazel is usually recommended to women to reduce in addition to also soothe inflammatory swelling in addition to also wounds resulting via childbirth, even by established national “baby clinics”. of which’s unbelievable of which mainstream dermatology has nothing to say about witch hazel in addition to also even dismisses of which as American Indian hocus-pocus.
Witch Hazel has Great antibacterial properties
Compared to the likes of tea tree oil in addition to also thyme oil, witch hazel’s antibacterial powers are not as extensively documented. Nevertheless, what experiments have been conducted are very promising.
Firstly, remember back to the tannin antioxidants we discussed earlier. The predominant tannins in witch hazel leaf extract are ellagitannins, which were examined in massive detail in This kind of recent review via 2014.
Apparently, ellagitannins have extremely powerful antibacterial properties; they “exhibit antimicrobial activity against fungi, viruses, in addition to also importantly, bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus”. If of which’s powerful enough to kill s.aureas (the resistant strain of bacteria behind fatal MRSA infections in hospitals) then our Great friend p.acnes bacteria won’t stand a chance.
Another study via 2002 examined the antibacterial properties of witch hazel in its entirety. Scientists compared the antimicrobial activity of a distillate of witch hazel to two some other dermatological preparations (urea in addition to also USP 23). The study was conducted on 15 healthy volunteers.
The witch hazel showed significant antimicrobial activity on microorganisms. The scientists commented of which while formulations of witch hazel are mainly used for their anti-inflammatory in addition to also hydrating properties, the antimicrobial properties were an added benefit. They commented of which the antimicrobial properties of witch hazel would likely be useful for managing atopic dermatitis, in addition to also of which’s a skin condition with similar origins to acne.
What’s very interesting is usually This kind of comment: “the organisms involved from the pathogenesis of these conditions are susceptible to the hamamelis preparations”. Apparently, witch hazel is usually particularly effective against the bacteria behind skin conditions.
Could of which apply to p.acnes bacteria? There aren’t studies directly on p.acnes in addition to also witch hazel. However, there has been a bucketload of studies of which applied witch hazel to eczema patients.
One randomized double blind comparison study assessed the effectiveness of two different ointments containing witch hazel from the treatment of 22 patients with moderate or severe eczema. Patients were treated three times daily for an average of 17 days, with the treatment duration lasting between 5 to 22 days. Both treatments reduced the severity of symptoms such as desquamation (skin peeling in addition to also scaling) of the skin, redness, in addition to also itching, with desquamation showing a large reduction of 55%.
Another study was a pilot experiment which applied a cream containing witch hazel leaf extract to eczema patients twice daily For just two weeks. Significant improvements were noted in symptoms such as inflammation in addition to also itching. Preliminary experiments have been conducted on dermatitis patients as well.
The judgement
The only piece of evidence we lack about witch hazel’s power as an acne clearing topical treatment is usually a direct study on acne itself. Nevertheless, the evidence is usually so strong of which of which can tackle all the areas behind the beginning of pimples of which of which simply has to have some effect. Indeed, the stories on the internet are very strong. Here are some testimonials:
- Witch hazel is usually amazing. I bought of which a few weeks ago in addition to also can already notice a difference in my skin.
- My skin is usually incredibly soft in addition to also clean.
- Witch hazel made my skin so clear of which I cried.
- When I woke up my face was pretty clear in addition to also had some blemishes however of which looks so much better than before.
- I am amazed at how much better my skin looks after one week.
If you’re looking for a natural treatment for acne then witch hazel is usually an excellent choice. Of course there are tons of others; on This kind of website I’ve previously issued glowing reports about raw honey, tea tree oil, thyme oil, rose water, in addition to also more.
However, witch hazel stands out especially well from the area of antioxidants in addition to also inflammation. Its antibacterial powers are merely decent, whereas raw honey is usually a bacteria killing juggernaut, as are thyme oil in addition to also tea tree oil. however none of those treatments develop the antioxidant levels of witch hazel.
Therefore, witch hazel cleansers in addition to also extracts can be particularly useful if you are exposed to excessive free radicals on a daily basis. For example, you may live in city with excessive air pollution, you may be addicted to cigarettes in addition to also hence expose your face to the warping effect of the smoke daily, or you may have skin of which’s vulnerable to sunlight. If antioxidants are what you want then witch hazel is usually a great choice. of which’s also terrific for inflammation, with the moderate antibacterial powers being an added Insentif.
The next question is usually: which is usually the greatest product? Well, of which depends on whether you want an alcohol free product.
Many first time users report burning with distillations extracted using alcohol. The best alcohol free product is usually probably This kind of Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner. of which’s a natural product with no harsh in addition to also unnecessary chemicals. Thayers witch hazel even contains aloe vera, another plant based acne treatment which is usually full of antioxidants, as well as trace nutrients, so you get a double whammy of acne-clearing power. I’ll be covering aloe vera in a future article. Applying the product is usually simple; simply dab some on a cotton puff.
Update 3/2/2016: here’s the article on aloe vera. Summary: of which’s an excellent anti-inflammatory plant.
Conclusion
Witch hazel is usually yet another fantastic, natural topical treatment for clearing acne which has existed under our noses for thousands of years.
On This kind of website I’ve already covered the following natural treatments: royal jelly, raw honey, thyme oil, rose water, tea tree oil, in addition to also coconut oil, in addition to also there’s a lot more to come. All these products reduce inflammation, provide antioxidants in addition to also kill bacteria to some extent, however what’s fascinating is usually of which they all work through different mechanisms in addition to also each contains a different array of natural antioxidants in addition to also compounds.
There are endless different choices for a natural acne treatment; there are endless opportunities for you to discover one of which works for you. Everyone’s skin is usually different, everybody features a different diet, a different set of circumstances behind their acne. No-one can predict whether a certain plant or compound will cause a massive improvement for you.
There are so many promising options, in addition to also of which’s why, if you’ve got the money, basic experimentation is usually one of the best acne strategies ever. Although you can’t fully cure acne without changing your diet in addition to also lifestyle, an effective topical treatment can take some of the pressure off if there are circumstances beyond your control (medical conditions, air pollution, unbeatable stress, in addition to also so on).
Witch hazel has no known side effects when applied topically, unless the tincture contains alcohol. Consuming too much witch hazel may cause nausea in addition to also dizziness, however consuming of which is usually pointless anyway. Again, the best product is usually This kind of Thayers Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel Toner.
NEXT: learn how aloe vera is usually full of acne-clearing compounds
Thanks for reading!