Produced from the witch hazel shrub, witch hazel is a clear liquid that is often used as an astringent. The witch hazel shrub (genus: hamamelis) is a small plant that grows in North America, as well as Japan. Extracted from the leaves and bark of the North American variety (Hamamelis virginiana), witch hazel is fantastic for sensitive or dry skins because it is extremely gentle. Once the extract is obtained, water and alcohol are added for use. A clear liquid, witch hazel does have a unique, slightly sour odor.
One of the most popular uses for witch hazel is for creating toners.A natural astringent, witch hazel leaves skin feeling refreshed and clean. In the Chamomile & Calendula Infused Toner, witch hazel is combined with aloe vera liquid infused with chamomile and marigold to create a toner great for dry skin. Looking for more infusion ideas? In the Lavender & Rose Water Toner, aloe vera liquid is infused with lavender to create a floral toner.
Bottom row: Chamomile & Calendula Infused Toner, Lavender & Rose Water Toner
Another use for witch hazel is to add moisture to bath fizzies. In order to create the mold-able texture, liquid must be added to the dry bath bomb ingredients (baking soda and citric acid). But, adding water to the mixture will set off the fizzy reaction!
Witch hazel is partly comprised of alcohol, so small amounts of witch hazel can be safely added to bath bombs without setting off the fizzing reaction. A few sprays does the trick!When used in bath bombs, the smell of witch hazel quickly disappears. However, the smell does stay in toners and astringents. It’s not an unpleasant smell, but it can take a little getting used to.
Because such a small amount of witch hazel is necessary, pouring the witch hazel into a spray bottle is recommended. Once the dry ingredients are mixed and clump free, begin spraying the mixture with witch hazel, mixing in between each spray. Once the mixture is damp enough to form a ball when squeezed (shown above on the right), your bath fizzies are ready to mold. If too much witch hazel is used the fizzy reaction can occur, so stop spraying once a mold-able texture is achieved.
Looking for some bath bomb recipes to use your witch hazel in? The Bath Fizzy category page is full of fun bath bomb projects. Below are a few of our favorite bath fizzy tutorials, and all of them use a few spritzes of witch hazel to create a mold-able consistency. In addition to witch hazel, several recipes such as the Invigorating Foot Soak use lightweight oils to give additional moisture to bath bomb mixtures.
Top row, left to right: Mini Flower Bath Bombs, Aromatherapy Shower Fizzies
Bottom row, left to right: Invigorating Foot Soak, Sparkle Power Bath Bomb Tutorial
Have you used witch hazel in a toner or bath bomb? It’s one of my favorite beauty ingredients, I often pour it on a cotton ball to apply as a toner.
Hey I was wondering if witch hazel could be used in M&P soap? I’ve been looking for ways to make an M&P recipe as safe and healthy for face use as possible.
Hi Kaitlyn!
I’m not entirely sure! We haven’t tested witch hazel in melt and pour soap, so I don’t know how it would act in the recipe.My worry is that it may change the consistency and make the soap a bit watery. A small test batch would be helpful!
We have some great melt and pour facial bar recipes you may like. They feature a recipe for both dry and oily skin, and have additives like clay and shea butter. I’ll include that link below. 🙂
Melt and Pour Facial Cleansers: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/melt-and-pour-soap/cleansing-soap-dry-oily-skin/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi SoapQueen!
I was wondering if witch hazel can be used instead of water for making cold-press soap? Would it still work if instead of water I used it?
Thanks!
Hi Lambs!
I would definitely not recommend making cold process soap with witch hazel. Witch hazel contains alcohol, which does some odd things in soap including making it accelerate very quickly.
You can add other ingredients like beer, rose water, aloe vera liquid, etc! I’ll include some posts about adding those below. 🙂
How to Use Alcoholic Beverages in Cold Process Soap: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-use-alcoholic-beverages-in-cold-process-soap/
Rose Garden Cold Process Soap Tutorial: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/rose-garden-cold-process/
100% Coconut Oil Soap with Aloe Vera Liquid: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/defying-the-rules-of-soapmaking-100-coconut-oil-soap-with-aloe-vera-and-a-mantra-swirl/
Exfoliating Green Tea Bars: https://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/cold-process-soap/exfoliating-green-tea-cold-process-bars/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I’m wondering about alcohol free witch hazel. For skin care, I think it might be a better version… but for making bath bomb, would the witch hazel with alcohol be better (makes harder bath bomb)? or the type without?
Hi Janet!
That’s a great question! For bath bombs, the witch hazel mixed with alcohol is the best option. Witch hazel mixed with alcohol wets the fizzies without causing them to fizz to early. Witch hazel mixed with water can set those fizzies off. In this case, witch hazel mixed with alcohol is the way to go. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi, your site is amazing!
Instead of a toner for soothing dry skin, how about making this into a spritz for dry itchy scalp. I want to add a little bit of carrier oil and essential oil, but was wondering, due to the small alcohol content in the witch hazel, will that prevent the oils and water(I’m allergic to Aloe Vera) from separating? Or is there something else I can get from your site that will help prevent that?
Please help
thank you 🙂
Hi Dima!
A mix of witch hazel and oil will want to separate naturally. To help emulsify those, you can use Polysorbate 80! You can use that up to 50% in your products to help emulsify them.
Polysorbate 80: https://www.brambleberry.com/Polysorbate-80-P4438.aspx
Or, you can simply shake that spray well before each use! Keep in mind essential oils can eat away at plastic, which may affect the plastic spray top. Read more in the Undiluted Aroma Oils + Plastic Don’t Mix: http://www.soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/undiluted-fragrance-oils-molds/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi!
I have asked many people about the smell of witch hazel, and they all said that it smelled horrible. I bought some to make bath bombs, and experimentally smelled it… and I thought it smelled really great! I honestly can’t wait to use it in toners!!! 🙂
Hi Cadence!
Witch hazel does have a distinct smell that can be surprising if you’ve never smelled it before. However, I don’t mind the smell at all! Have fun making your toner recipe. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
اريد طريقه الصابون الشفاف لونه متل الماء
Hi there!
You can find out how to make clear soap with this book: https://www.brambleberry.com/Making-Transparent-Soap-1-Book-P3732.aspx
It has step-by-step instructions for making it from scratch. It’s a great read. 🙂
-Kelsey
hiya!
never thought of adding aloe vera, have to try this!
RJ!
regarding acne, i have very bad acne skin and witch hazel toner followed by spray of rosewater work owners to minimize the pores and gently cleanse the skin leaving it looking fresh, this is only my own experience after trying every possible cleanser out there!
Hi Ava!
We love using aloe vera liquid! It adds great moisturization properties to your products. 🙂
Aloe vera liquid: https://www.brambleberry.com/Aloe-Vera-Liquid-P3704.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I have heard mixed reviews about witch hazel. Some say it can irritate skin, others say it stops skin being irritated, and I don’t know who to trust. I have sensitive skin and I’m not sure whether to use it or not. Would you know if it would irritate sensitive skin?
Thanks, Cadence.
Hi Cadence!
We use witch hazel all the time and don’t notice any irritation, but everyone’s skin is different. If you notice witch hazel does irritate your skin, make sure to wash the affected area with soap and water. It may also help to ask your doctor. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Years ago I used to make my own toner with equal parts of witch hazel and rose water, and I’ve recently started doing this again. It is simply gorgeous to use and smells wonderful. I love the smell of witch hazel – for me it has memories of Mum putting it on us as children if we bruised ourselves, and it has such a clean, comforting smell – also associated with being cuddled and having the “kiss it better” routine!
If you are overweight and have areas where skin touches skin, there is a danger of it chaffing and skin complaints developing. After showering, putting on some of the rose water and witch hazel toner, followed by some tea tree essential oil, keeps these problems at bay and prevents nasty smells developing! (Hope that’s not too much information lol!) Works for me, anyway.
Hi Shoshi!
That toner sounds awesome! Simple and comforting. Thank you so much for sharing!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Most of us may not want to chat about some body annoyances, but as a licensed midwife, witch hazel is a well respected and well known natural remedy for hemorrhoids. We have good feedback and success from our mothers and many are very happy to try a natural route first!
And vericose veins on you legs!
Hi Lucy!
That’s awesome, thanks so much for sharing!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Loved this comment, do you use witch hazel with the alcohol or the witch hazel with the water for hemorrhoids and/or face toners? Thank you!
How would the witch hazel infused toner work for acne? I like the calendula blend, sounds wonderful!! Thanks for sharing the idea!!
Hi RJ!
So glad you like the idea! We haven’t tested the effectiveness of the toner on acne, so I’m not entirely sure! The FDA considers acne products a drug, and they have to be tested and regulated. You can read more about that in the Etsy Updates Policies on Cosmetics Making Claims post: http://www.soapqueen.com/business/etsy-updates-policies-on-cosmetics-making-drug-claims/
However, the toner is very refreshing and soothing for dry winter skin. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry