what's the deal with witch hazel?

[DBLE ARROW BLADE]

hey guys

Just checked the tracking and my new blade is coming today . . . very pumped.

Question:
I've seen a couple of posts about witch hazel, and was wondering what exactly it is, and what it does?

Also WHERE is it? While I've been out and about, I've looked in a couple of shaving sections of stores and haven't seen it.

Would you recomend it?

New to all this and just trying to get a routine down,

thanks

[mretzloff]

Here's the Wikipedia page on ot (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch_hazel_(astringent)).

Witch hazel is an astringent. It heals and soothes your face after a shave. Sometimes it contains alcohol (mine contains 14%) and sometimes not. It smells terrible (some have related it to a nursing home smell) but does a good job.

You can buy it at Walmart for ~$2 or you can purchase some that contains fragrance for $5+. If you take the Walmart route, check by the shazing section or whereever they sell rubbing alcohol.

I recomend it. It seems to take away any razor burn I have right away.

[Jcof3474]

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a natural astringent that has many many uses, one of which is as an aftershave. It is also a strong anti-oxident and can be used for all kinds of skin issues, and the good thing about it is it doesn't burn like alcohol, nor does it dry out the skin. It is a great aftershave by itself, and is found in a lot of aftershaves.
I would recommend trying it. You will more than likely find it at a health food store, and they usually carry Thayers which is probably the best brand of it. Also, even Wal-Mart carries Dickinsons, but you will find it right beside the rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy.
I have some Thayers that I use, and I also have a aftershave splash from a brand called EO that has witch hazel in it.

[Bertilak]

hey guys

Just checked the tracking and my new blade is coming today . . . very pumped.

Question:
I've seen a couple of posts about witch hazel, and was wondering what exactly it is, and what it does?

Also WHERE is it? While I've been out and about, I've looked in a couple of shaving sections of stores and haven't seen it.

Would you recomend it?

New to all this and just trying to get a routine down,

thanks

It is usually found right next to the bottles of alcohol and peroxide. And that is usually on the bottom shelf in the first aid section.

All the drugstore brands I have seen contain alcohol (14%) and do have a nasty smell. I wanted something without either alcohol or a scent and found Thayers: "http://www.thayers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=31. It is definitely scent-free.

http://www.thayers.com/store/images/large/thayerspics/unscentedtoner_LRG.jpg

But I bought it here for much less (lower shipping, too): http://vitanetonline.com/product.cfm?product=TA0037

It is classified as an astringent. (Closes open pores?) I just started using it and I do believe it leaves my face feeling better. Basically softer, smoother skin. Perhaps that is the aloe vera and might have nothing to do with the witch hazel, but the overall package seems to work.

There are variations with alcohol and presumably more pleasant scents (e.g. rose). Some may prefer the alcohol for its antiseptic effect.

[pal]

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a natural astringent that has many many uses, one of which is as an aftershave. It is also a strong anti-oxident and can be used for all kinds of skin issues, and the good thing about it is it doesn't burn like alcohol, nor does it dry out the skin. It is a great aftershave by itself, and is found in a lot of aftershaves.
I would recommend trying it. You will more than likely find it at a health food store, and they usually carry Thayers which is probably the best brand of it. Also, even Wal-Mart carries Dickinsons, but you will find it right beside the rubbing alcohol in the pharmacy.
I have some Thayers that I use, and I also have a aftershave splash from a brand called EO that has witch hazel in it.

+1 It is also great for a sunburn.

[Tom Pike]

But I bought it here for much less (lower shipping, too): http://vitanetonline.com/product.cfm?product=TA0037.

They've got the Lemon and the Lavender varieties of Thayer's as well for the same price. It's more expensive than the cheap bottle I can get at my local drug store, but they're supposed to smell great. Actually, I've grown accustomed to the slight stank :9898: of store-brand witch hazel, but I'll probably buy this stuff when it's time for a new bottle...


Cheers,
Tom

[Ru4scuba?]

Thayers also has rose too! I've been using this stuff for 2+ weeks...irritation is WAY down and it smells decent too!

Alot of folks use this after their cold rinse post shaving and before they apply AS

[waterbear]

Been usign Dickenson's blue label (they also make a yellow label that has less alchohol) for years and used to use it on my customers when i was Barbering. After it dries I follow it with a spash of aftershave or balm. I actually like the smell (and it's gone as soon as it dires). My mother used to use it as an all around first aid kit when I was a kid (back in the dark ages when we still had mercurochome and mertiolate along with iodine!) and it's one of the few things I have found that will actually take away the itch of an insect bit for a period of time. Good stuff!

[Bertilak]

There are only 10 kinds of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.

Actually there are THREE kinds of people -- those who can count and those who can't.

[Aevum]

i´ve been using this Witch hazel enriched aloe vera cream i found in israel, used to treat sunburns, but actually quite nice on the skin as tonic and razor relief,

[soapbox]

There are only 10 kinds of people, those that understand binary and those that don't.


Actually there are THREE kinds of people -- those who can count and those who can't.

That means there'd be 11 kinds of people.

<nerd>Snoooooort honk honk honk honk </nerd> :lol:

[soapbox]

All the drugstore brands I have seen contain alcohol (14%) and do have a nasty smell. I wanted something without either alcohol or a scent and found Thayers.

The alcohol is used (at least in Thayer's) as a preservative. The non-alcohol toners use parabens instead. On the other hand, the Thayer's aftershave has 20% alcohol, probably more for its antiseptic effect (er, and to wake you up after using that rusty, dull Treet Blue Special with your Slant). :scared:

[LagerLover]

You will more than likely find it at a health food store, and they usually carry Thayers

You might want to try the www.thayers.com website to locate a store near you. It's worth the trip. The Thayers Original (like Robert Paulsen's pic above) is far far superior for soothing and toning your face after shaving than any alcohol containing brand. You can use much less for better results, therebye justifiying the higher cost.

[waterbear]

Actually there are THREE kinds of people -- those who can count and those who can't.

Shouldn't that be 11 kinds of people? :biggrin:

[Chuckaluck]

It is usually found right next to the bottles of alcohol and peroxide. And that is usually on the bottom shelf in the first aid section.

All the drugstore brands I have seen contain alcohol (14%) and do have a nasty smell. I wanted something without either alcohol or a scent and found Thayers: "http://www.thayers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=31. It is definitely scent-free.

http://www.thayers.com/store/images/large/thayerspics/unscentedtoner_LRG.jpg

But I bought it here for much less (lower shipping, too): http://vitanetonline.com/product.cfm?product=TA0037

It is classified as an astringent. (Closes open pores?) I just started using it and I do believe it leaves my face feeling better. Basically softer, smoother skin. Perhaps that is the aloe vera and might have nothing to do with the witch hazel, but the overall package seems to work.

There are variations with alcohol and presumably more pleasant scents (e.g. rose). Some may prefer the alcohol for its antiseptic effect.

thanks for the tip on vitanetonline! I just placed an order for the Superhazel at a great price!

[ratcheer]

It smells terrible (some have related it to a nursing home smell) but does a good job.



I enjoy its scent. Others apparently can't stand it. :confused: So, a very big YMMV.

Tim

[walds11]

Do you guys splash it on with your hands or use a cotton pad? My local GMC carries it or maybe I will order it from Robert's link.

I wonder if the witch hazel will take care the the irritation I get on my neck from wearing a shirt and tie (5 days a week)?

[Bertilak]

Do you guys splash it on with your hands or use a cotton pad? My local GMC carries it or maybe I will order it from Robert's link.

I wonder if the witch hazel will take care the the irritation I get on my neck from wearing a shirt and tie (5 days a week)?

Splash it on with hands.

[techgrad03]

Great thread guys. As a newb, I have often wondered as well. Went ahead and followed the link and purchased the lemon scented. Hope it helps!

[SepticTank]

The alcohol is used (at least in Thayer's) as a preservative. The non-alcohol toners use parabens instead. On the other hand, the Thayer's aftershave has 20% alcohol, probably more for its antiseptic effect (er, and to wake you up after using that rusty, dull Treet Blue Special with your Slant). :scared:

Here on the other side of the pond plain ol' Witch-hazel is only ever water-based so far as I've found - no scents, no alcohol, no preservatives - just a wee glass bottle (200ml usually) of 100% Hamemelis Water for £0.79 to £2.49 - same stuff inside though regardless of price.

[Ru4scuba?]

Witch hazel wont completely clear up neck irritation from wearing dress shirts (I have to as well) but it helps!

Only not wearing dress shirts will do that :)

[adamant]

I found some Thayer's Lavender ( I think they had in stock lemon and aloe as well) at my Co-Op for $9. Seeing this thread I realize that's a pretty nice deal considering shipping costs! There's a rose scent too, right?

I like the tightening feeling, as my neck has always felt very soft, and difficult to get a close shave. My skin has felt and looked much better since DE shaving. (I also use an Alum block, so I'm probably being redundant in my treatments.

[shyrlock]

I believe that Witch Hazel is one of the very best things that you can put on your face.
Hamamelis Virginana is a unique herb that is a astrigent, toner and cleaner. If you buy the standard variety, with about 14&#37; alcohol, it is also a effective antiseptic.
When I was in my teens (early 60's) I began using it as an aftershave and I use it to this day. Even during the dark days of cartridge razors, witch hazel was my go to aftershave. I found that it was beneficial to my complection and was a panacea aginst many types of skin irritations and insect bites.
The plain old Dickensons brand has always been my favorite. I have never found the scent to be objectionable. Sort of a natural woody smell to my sniffer.
At any rate what scent there is dissapates very quickly.
After reading many of the posts here, I bought a bottle of Thayers rose scented w. h.
Other than costing about twice as much as Dickensons I could not detect much difference. When it is used up, I will go back to my trusty olde Dickensons and be happy with it.
For those of you that likee different scents in your w.h., Emily at
www.emsplace.com offers some in her aftershave/ body splash section with a variety of scented oils mixed in. I have tried the outdoors" scent and find it to be pretty nice.
Of course, it costs more than Dickensons also.
At any rate I just wanted to say that Witch Hazel is a great treat for the face and that the plain ole 14% alcohol variety is just fine.
My humble 0.02 cents.
Enjoy your shaves,
Mike

[Mr. Igg]

Amazon has several Thayer's formulas (if that's the right word?) in 3-packs of the 12-oz bottles for about $18. If you have Amazon Prime, shipping is no cost. It's not all the options, but I saw lavendar, lemon and peach.

[nrek619]

I've been using Humphrey's witch hazel for about month now....great stuff!!!http://www.humphreysusa.com/skin.htm

[neli]

i use it before AS or balm
it works great
lavender and alcohol free is the one i use

[Boyextraordinare]

Dickinson's Yellow costs about 2 dollars at Walmart. No frills, it's worth the investment.

[RazorEdge]

I love my Thayer's Superhazel. I've been using it for about 2.5 months so far. I expect the bottle to last at least a year. Even though it cost about $8 more than Dickinson's I feel it is definitely worth the investment. Plus, the pepermint scent has really grown on me.

[pokermon919]

I just got the Thayer's Peach Witchhazel, wow nice scent that actually last on me about 2-3 hours. Soothing feeling on the skin and just great overall. Now I want the lemon or rose they have. I might not even need a aftershave this stuff is so good + how my skin doesn't get razor burn or irritation.

[tblech]

I like to use Thayers when I am not wanting a scent or if I wish to use colonges.

[SavantStrike]

I've used dickinsons or the store brand equivalent off and on now for ages. The stuff is great and it does leave the skin feeling good.

As for the smell... I actually kinda like it...