Witch Hazel

Witch hazel comes from the leaves and bark of the Hamamelis virginiana plant. You’ve probably heard of it as a standard toner ingredient, but since witch hazel extracts are often alcohol-based, these products can be harsh and drying on skin.

Why your skin might love it: In skin care, it’s mostly used as an astringent, which temporarily tightens pores, reduces puffiness, and refines skin texture. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can decrease skin redness, and contains antioxidants which decrease the impact of environmentally-induced oxidative stress.

Where to find it: Beyond toners, witch hazel is sometimes added to other products for oily skin, including acid exfoliants and acne treatments. You can find witch hazel in shampoos as well as to reduce scalp irritation. Try to find one free of alcohol, or one which does not have ethyl alcohol (alcohol denat) high up in the ingredients list to avoid unnecessary harshness.