Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Witch Hazel For Acne - Does It Really Work?

The battle against acne can take many forms. Some people go the medication route, some go to the route of laser therapy, and others prefer the natural route. If you’re the latter, one of the best treatments you should consider is using witch hazel.

A Gentle Acne Treatment

The problem with going the medication route for treating acne is that many of the treatments are harsh against your skin. While they may cause you to have small victories against acne, they can often worsen your skin and irritate them.

Witch hazel is exactly the opposite. As a treatment for skin conditions, witch hazel very rarely causes skin irritation, including those who have sensitive skin.

3 Properties Of Witch Hazel That Make It Effective

Disinfectant

Many acne breakouts can be attributed to high amounts of bacteria, especially if the acne has turned into pus filled bumps. By clearing the skin of bacteria using witch hazel, you are preventing future acne from forming due to bacteria build up.

Astringent

At some point in your fight against acne, you have probably used an alcohol based astringent. You have probably noticed how much it can hurt and dry out your skin even though it can cleanse your pores well. The good news about witch hazel is that it cleanses but it doesn’t dry out your skin.

An astringent works mainly by reducing the size of the pores. This will help prevent pimples from getting worse as oils won’t be able to penetrate the pores in the same way.

Irritant Fighter

Witch hazel is an overall effective treatment for skin as it can battle any irritants on the skin that could make your acne worse and it’s also effective at fighting infection, something that could dramatically worsen your acne.

Surprising Fact About Witch Hazel

One of the properties of witch hazel that helps your skin is that it is high in tannins. Tannins are the same chemicals in wine that causes your mouth to pucker. This can do wonders for your skin!

What’s The Best Way To Use Witch Hazel?

Really, you have two options here. The easiest option to start with would be using a natural witch hazel solution and applying it directly to the skin. If your acne is pretty strong right now, twice a day should be enough to really see some results. Going above 3 times a day isn’t suggested. You can also create your own solution by combining witch hazel with dried lavender or lavender essential oil.

Another popular way to use witch hazel is to make an all natural facial mask This is best used with other natural ingredients like raw honey, egg whites, oatmeal, and more. The right combination of ingredients can soothe your skin, fight off bacteria, and prevent inflammation from getting worse.

The main reason you should consider witch hazel for acne treatment is that it is completely natural. Your skin is the largest organ in your body and has complex needs. By using a witch hazel treatment that can clear out bacteria, prevent inflammation, and shrink oil clogged pores, you will be helping your skin heal naturally without harming your skin.