Yesterday I asked our Facebook friends what their top 5 beauty/skincare must-haves were, and a few people responded with witch hazel. This prompted Adrienne T. to ask:

What’s with all the Witch Hazel? Am I missing something?

Witch hazel is an extract made from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana shrub. It’s been used for many years as an astringent to clean the face, treat bruises, skin problems, and even more serious injuries. It’s usually used topically (although some forms can be ingested) to treat nicks and cuts, and some eye drops even contain the herb as it’s been known to help treat eye infections.

The Beauty Brains uncovers its astringent properties and says, “It’s rich in tannins, which in theory can cause a mild coagulation of skin proteins. This coagulation can dry, harden, and protect the skin.”

Here are a few common products containing the herb:

Burt’s Bees Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer Spray
Dickinson’s Witch Hazel Pads
Aveda Witch Hazel Hair Spray