How to Use Witch Hazel After Shaving?

Whether you are looking for a natural aftershave product or a solution for irritating skin after shaving, go no further. We have got the solution for you!

What can it be? The Witch Hazel extract it is. Witch hazel is a natural shrub-like small tree known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, and anti-oxidant properties. It contains tannins, gallic acid, phenolic compounds, and catechins making it an exceptional product to use after shaving.

How to Use Witch Hazel After Shaving? We will cover everything regarding its origin, benefits,  alcoholic content, and application technique to get the maximum out of one single aftershave product.

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is Witch Hazel?
• Part 2: Is Witch Hazel Good After Shaving?
• Part 3: Can I Use Witch Hazel After Shaving?
• Part 4: Does Witch Hazel Have Alcohol in It?
• Part 5: How to Use Witch Hazel After Shaving?

Part 1: What is Witch Hazel?

Witch Hazel is a shrub-like small deciduous tree commonly found in North America and Eastern Asia. It is scientifically known as Hamamelis Virginiana and more commonly known as Witch-Hazels.

The name comes from the old English “Wiche” or “Wice” which means bendable as people used it to locate underground water resources. With soothing and anti-inflammatory abilities, the extract of this small shrub is used against acne, pimples, and skin irritation.

It is found in skincare products, ointments, lotions, and shampoos. Some people even use the extract as an aftershave product.

Part 2: Is Witch Hazel Good After Shaving?

Aftershave witch hazel is a good option to relieve your skin from razor burns, itching, and inflammation. Let’s see how this natural ingredient can work to make your skin-shaving experience better.

Post-Shave Benefits

Razor burns, redness, and inflammation are common after a shave and if you are a beginner, you can expect cuts and nicks as well. How witch hazel can help you with this?

It is an astringent which means the extract can contract your skin thus closing minor cuts and nicks and reducing bleeding. Rich in tannins, it also fights against redness and inflammation.

What about the razor burns? The antioxidants present in witch hazel can soothe the skin and minimize the irritation from these burns.

Antiseptic Properties

When small nicks are present on your skin, you are more prone to infections as the protective skin barrier is broken. So, it is essential to apply an anti-septic immediately on the cut. Witch hazel can prove best in this regard.

It has antiseptic properties due to its high phenolic content. This inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria on the skin thus preventing any infections. Moreover, the tannins derived from the plant-based extract can penetrate bacterial cell walls and destroy them by interfering with their normal mechanism.

Moisturizing Effects

Your skin becomes dry after shaving and a moisturizer is necessary if you want it to look smooth after hair removal. Miraculously, witch hazel has light skin hydration properties as well.

So, a single ingredient can help with all the problems you usually face after shaving. Moreover, it is also natural so there are minimum chances of allergies caused by artificial agents in synthetic skincare products.

Note: The moisturizing effect of witch hazel is very slight therefore you cannot solely rely on its action for providing your skin maximum hydration. Using an extra moisturizer in addition to witch hazel is preferred.

Part 3: Can I Use Witch Hazel After Shaving?

Specific ingredients in each aftershave product make their use limited for certain skin types. However, this is not the case for witch hazel. It can be used for all skin types including oily, normal, dry, acne-prone, and combination skin.

The suitability of witch hazel can vary from person to person. It is because the shrub has tannins in it. Tannins can dry your skin and constrict your pores so those with dry and sensitive skin can use it in combination with another hydrating agent.

How to know whether it is suitable for you or not? Conduct a patch test. After shaving, apply witch hazel on a small area and wait for a few minutes to rule out the risk of allergies and skin reactions.

Part 4: Does Witch Hazel Have Alcohol in It?

It depends. Witch hazel products can be both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The product you are going to buy depends upon your skin type, skin condition, and needs.

• Witch Hazel with Alcoholic Content:Most witch hazel products have around 14% to 15% alcohol in them. This denatured alcohol is used to distill witch hazel and make it useful for application on the skin. The percentage of alcohol is very small but it can still irritate your skin. So, only those with oily or normal skin can go for witch hazel products having alcohol in them.
• Non-alcoholic Witch Hazel:There are also alcohol-free witch hazel products available for those with sensitive and dry skin. These non-alcoholic products are gentler on your skin and can do their work without irritating it.

Part 5: How to Use Witch Hazel After Shaving?

Are you looking for the right way to apply witch hazel on your skin? Knowing the right technique for applying any product can help you obtain maximum benefits without damaging your skin. So, let’s see how witch hazel can be used as an aftershave product.

Preparation

Before applying witch hazel, you must prepare your skin thoroughly and get rid of all the shaving cream lathered up on your face. After washing your face with cold water, a cleanser can be used to remove the dirt from your face and unclog the clogged pores.

Gently massage the cleanser in circular motions and then rinse it off either with simple or lukewarm water. Now if you are sure that there are no impurities left on your skin, pat it dry using a clean towel. Do not put too much pressure while patting the face as it can irritate the skin.

Application

Now we are ready to apply the witch hazel on the shaved area. Following are the instructions you must keep in mind while applying the product:

• Instead of using your fingers for application, take a small cotton ball or a cotton pad and soak it in the witch hazel extract
• Now, pat this cotton pad gently on the area in small gentle motions, and the application step is done
• Remember that the cotton pad should not be soaked way too much or very little for application

Follow up

Witch hazel can make your skin slightly dry so use a moisturizer or an aftershave balm after applying the witch hazel. Using witch hazel in combination with these products can help your skin strengthen its moisture barrier, and stay hydrated, and nourished for a long time.

To know more about what aftershave products can you use according to your skin type, read: What is Aftershave: Everything Explained.

How Often Should You Use It?

Using it occasionally will not show any effect and using it too frequently can damage your skin’s protective barrier and dry out your skin.

The frequency of application should be decided based on your skin type. For instance, if you have oily skin you can apply it after every shave each day while if you have dry skin reduce the usage to a few times per week. Also, do not forget to use a moisturizer afterward.

Conclusion

Witch hazel can be an important addition to your skincare routine and aftershave products you use often. It can help in soothing your skin, fighting pathogenic bacteria, healing small cuts, and reducing inflammation after shaving.

It can work for all skin types including dry skin as long as you are using a moisturizer along with the witch hazel extract. So, keep your skin type in mind and use the extract in combination with other products if you want to turn it to your advantage.