If you suffer with acne, the chances are you’re always on the lookout for an effective treatment that can help to clear your skin and restore your confidence. You may have heard about the acne treating potential of witch hazel, and wondering is witch hazel good for acne? The answer is yes, witch hazel can be helpful in treating acne, but it does depend on the severity of your acne, and also your skin, as everyone is an individual. Let’s take a look at what causes acne and whether witch hazel can help to treat it.
What Is Acne?
Acne is an unsightly and sometimes painful outbreak of spots on the skin. The types of pimple can vary, and may include whiteheads, blackheads, pustules and cysts. Acne can appear in many places, but the forehead, nose and chin are particularly common, and it can also appear on the back or chest. As well as being unsightly, acne can become painful, which is distressing if you happen to suffer with it.
What Causes Acne?
The exact cause of acne is unknown. Certainly, the presence of bacteria can contribute to it, and the blocked pores and build up of sebum that cause the physical outbreak are a concern. The underlying cause isn’t always clear though – many experts think acne is caused by hormonal changes, especially elevated levels of androgen. Some people have suggested there may be a genetic pre disposition, or that acne is made worse by smoking, bad diet, or even wearing things that rub on the skin and make the area more irritated.
One thing is for certain though, if you suffer with acne you will want to know the best way to treat it, and whether or not a natural treatment like witch hazel can help.
What Is Witch Hazel?
Witch hazel is a shrub that grows in North America. Witch hazel has long been used for medicinal and beauty purposes. Witch hazel has astringent properties, which means it can be used to tighten up or firm tissue. The properties of witch hazel mean it can reduce irritation and itching on the skin, making it a popular choice for skin care, and for treating problems such as insect bites or sunburn.
Can Witch Hazel Help Treat Acne?
Whether or not witch hazel can help with acne is very much individual. The astringent and anti bacterial properties of witch hazel can be useful in helping to soothe and cleanse irritated skin, and acne sufferers might well find that at the very least their skin feels less itchy and inflamed.
If you are thinking about using witch hazel for acne, it might help to know that:
-
- The anti bacterial properties can help to clean out your pores, which can in turn prevent acne from breaking out.
- The astringent properties can help to shrink the pores and improve the overall look of your skin.
Witch hazel doesn’t work as an acne treatment for every sufferer, but some people report a noticeable reduction in their outbreaks, and less irritation on their skin. How well it works is largely individual. Witch hazel may be too strong for some dry or sensitive skin types, or not strong enough for others. It’s best suited as a treatment for oily skin types.
How To Use Witch Hazel For Acne
Witch hazel is available as an ingredient in several face care products. A cleanser or toner that contains witch hazel is a great way to apply it to your skin as part of your every day skin care routine.
You can also use witch hazel as a mask. You can buy a witch hazel mask to use, or try out one of the many home made mask recipes which you’ll find online. Using witch hazel as a mask is a good way to apply it to your skin and help it to sink in to your pores.
Witch hazel doesn’t provide a miracle cure for acne by any means, but it is a natural and inexpensive remedy that you can try at home, and that can help to cleanse and soothe acne prone skin.