If you struggle with acne and want a natural way to reduce blemishes, witch hazel for acne is a great option. Keep reading to learn how witch hazel helps reduce acne and try out my recipe for witch hazel facial mist.
Even in my mid-thirties, I still deal with occasional acne. For the past few months, my skin has been breaking out, so I decided to try Witch Hazel for acne.
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Witch Hazel for Acne
There are a lot of products on the market that claim they help reduce acne. Many of them are made with synthetic chemicals, fragrances, preservatives, and other additives that may not be beneficial for the skin. They can also be very expensive.
I am a big believer in using natural products to battle our problems. A few years ago, I started washing my face with olive oil or coconut oil. I make homemade facial scrubs using salts, sugars, natural oils and sometimes fruits and veggies. And I even make homemade makeup.
In the process, I have saved a lot of money making my own homemade beauty products, and I feel like my skin is healthier, as a result.
When my face began to break out again, I decided to look for a natural product that helps fight acne, and found Witch Hazel.
Witch Hazel is produced from the bark and leaves of the Witch-hazel shrub. It has many naturally occurring qualities that make it a perfect astringent for the skin.
Benefits of Witch Hazel for Acne
Natural Astringent
Witch Hazel has tannins, which have natural astringent properties that are used to treat acne (source). Witch Hazel side effects are minimal; it is considered “very safe” for topical use when used two to three times per day.
Reduces Redness and Irritation
Witch Hazel has naturally occurring procyanadins, resin and flavonoids, which give it anti-inflammatory properties. It’s been shown to relieve mild skin irritation (source).
Reduces Natural Oils on the Skin
Witch Hazel may help prevent excessive production of facial oils. It also may reduce bacteria growth on the skin, which will help reduce acne breakouts.
Witch Hazel Facial Mist
Witch Hazel can be poured directly onto a cotton ball and dabbed on the face. You can also combine it with essential oils to create a witch hazel facial mist.
My preference is to have it as a mist, because it is easy to apply and convenient. Plus, I can get some added value of essential oils.
I add tea tree oil to the witch hazel facial mist because tea tree oil has also been shown to reduce acne with very low risk of adverse effects (source). Lavender essential oil is another favorite that I use in many of my homemade beauty recipes.
Where to Get the Ingredients
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Witch Hazel Facial Mist
A super easy witch hazel facial mist that is great for anyone suffering from acne.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup witch hazel
- 10 drops essential oil tea tree or lavender
- spray mist bottle
Instructions
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Combine Witch Hazel and essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
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After washing your face, spray Witch Hazel Facial Mist directly onto the skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Repeat 2 – 3 times per day.
You can pick up Witch Hazel for around $1 a bottle at most grocery stores that have a pharmacy, or you can grab it on Amazon, but it’s quite a bit more expensive.
When I pick up witch hazel at the pharmacy and doTerra essential oils, I can make a batch of this witch hazel facial mist for less than $1 per month!
My preference is to use a glass spray mister because the glass containers last forever (or, at least, a really long time) are environmentally-friendly, and easier to clean.
I also find that drinking lots of water and taking a high-quality whole food vitamin makes a huge improvement in my skin. It helps reduce acne and gives me healthier looking skin.
Other Homemade Products using Witch Hazel
Check out my other homemade products using witch hazel!
Hi! I was wondering if you could put this in a roller bottle instead of the mister? I have a lot of roller bottles but no misters and just wondered if the effects would be the same in a roller bottle
Hi Jessica,
I honestly don’t know! It is pretty thin, so it might leak out. If you try it, please let us know how it goes!
If you decide to get a mister, you can pick up a travel-size spray bottle at any dollar store/walmart for around $1.
Just made this mist and can’t wait to start using. Wondering if you have noticed if it helps with acne scars as well?
I hope you like it, Kate!
I honestly haven’t paid attention to know whether it has helped improve acne scars. I did find that Natural Living Ideas mentions it helps with scarring, so I am hopeful! You can read more about it here: http://www.naturallivingideas.com/witch-hazel-on-face/
I’ve never used witch hazel before i would like to know if i can leave it my face or i will washe it out(i would not like my face looking oily or shiny through out the day. (I have normal to dry skin)
Hello! I’m wondering what people are using to wash their face before applying the witch hazel. Any Suggestions? I have very bad hormonal acne, and am looking for a gentle cleanser, or a recipe for a homemade cleanser.
Thank you very much for sharing this info!
Hi Cara – I have 5 homemade face washes here, that you might want to check out! https://homemadeforelle.com/5-homemade-face-wash-recipes/
Hi Andrea,
I would love to try this, but I just have one question. After washing my face, I use a homemade moisturizer made with jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, lavender oil, and frankincense. Would think mist still be good if used underneath my moisturizer and also if i misted my face throughout the day while still having the moisturizer applied?
Thanks,
Ashley
Hey Ashley (sorry for taking so long to respond!) –
Yes, that should definitely be fine! I usually wash, apply a toner (witch hazel) and then moisturizer. The trio leaves my skin feeling great!
I would love to hear your recipe for homemade moisturizer, if you want to share. That sounds heavenly!
Hey Andrea,
I’ve been using tea tree oil when treating acne, what more if witch hazel complements. I can’t wait to see the effect. Thanks!
I saw a comment on here just a couple days ago where a lady used essential oils in a facial mixture. In the comment, she mentioned that she used Elemi oil. I have been searching this site frantically for her comment/recipe, but I can’t locate it. Can anyone direct me to it, please?? Thank you in advance!
Hi Denise – I found this comment under my Homemade Eye Cream Recipe (https://homemadeforelle.com/homemade-eye-cream/)
“Elemi essential oil is great along with frankincense, add some lavender as well to the eye cream and you have an moisturizer all in one.
The Elemi oil supports collegian,firms skin, promotes cell turnover and normalizes skin oil. Frankincense is anti wrinkle and lavender is good for everything. I usually lay a clean hot cloth on my face and let it soak in about 30 seconds or so. I don’t rub it off ,I just warm my face with a wet cloth”
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 🙂
Hi Andrea,
I would love to try this! I’ve read so much about the many uses of this amazing tropical astringent. Thanks for sharing!
I really love it, and think it’s superior to anything on the market. I hope you enjoy it, too!
I used to use witch hazel as a teen and into my 20s as a natural astringent. I prefer how fresh it makes my skin feel over checmical-ly astringents. I don’t know why I stopped using witch hazel over the years (3 kids and life, maybe?), but I’ll be picking a bottle up this week. Thanks for the reminder.
That is cool that you’ve know about and have been using it for a while! I definitely agree that it feels much better on the skin than any commercial product. 🙂