Is witch hazel something typically American?

**JDTTO** · 08-03-2012, 05:05 AM

I see witch hazel being mentioned quite often as after shave on this forum but have never seen it in my region.

Is this something typically American?

**michiganlover** · 08-03-2012, 05:15 AM

Well, it is made from a plant that seems to only grow in North America. Make sure you are looking for it in the right area of the store: it will be in the first aid area, not on the shaving isle.

**MrDentini** · 08-03-2012, 05:48 AM

It was a question that I wanted to ask too, thanks.

**MrDentini** · 08-03-2012, 05:55 AM

Doing a deeper research, it looks like it is largely planted in Europe too.

"The healing properties of the witch hazel decoction were known to Native Americans, who used it to treat wounds. In the nineteenth century, the distillate obtained from the leaves was used by European settlers against sunburn and eye irritation after prolonged exposure to light."

Looks like a perfect ingredient for an after shave.

**fccexpert** · 08-03-2012, 06:19 AM

Witch hazel plants are of the genus hamamelis and are native to North America, China and Japan. Hamamelis virginiana is the most widely used in the production of witch hazel hydrosols. A native of North America, it is widely cultivated as a garden plant in the U.K.

**TheVez2** · 08-03-2012, 06:32 AM

It works great on new tattoos as well. Helps with the soreness and they heal quicker too.

**USCGME3** · 08-03-2012, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by TheVez2

It works great on new tattoos as well. Helps with the soreness and they heal quicker too.

I may have to test your theory out when I get my new ink in London in November.

**JDTTO** · 08-03-2012, 06:41 AM

Am I just supposed to use the pure distillate?

**Brewshooter** · 08-03-2012, 11:57 AM

You can use it straight. They make scented versions as well. I use the Thayers unscented, well witch hazel scented I guess, with added aloe vera.

**StuMcB** · 08-03-2012, 12:07 PM

Most of the stores here in blighty carry it. Sainburys, Tesco, Asda and Boots all stock either WH liquid or gel.

**Pkrankow** · 08-03-2012, 05:34 PM

Straight witch hazel is 14% alcohol, not much alcohol at all. Expect no burn, just soothing. Splash it on and revel in the woody scent. Seriously it smells like leaves and bark, or wait, it is made from leaves and bark! Note how the scent fades to undetectable by the time your face is dry.

Follow up with your favorite aftershave scent, or go without.

Phil

**gordie1971** · 08-04-2012, 01:29 AM

Only been using it for 2 weeks as a morning toner and i'm impressed. No more razor burn or irritation, which I always got a couple of hours after shaving. Only £1.99 from Superdrug for 200ml too :)

The fiancée also commented on how good my skin is looking.

**El-a-Menthol** · 08-04-2012, 06:16 AM

I would recommend using alum and high quality aftershaves that already contain witch-hazel, like Speick.
A lot of good aftershaves have witch-hazel as one of their ingredients.
I noticed the prices here and it might not be worth it.
Using both alum and a good aftershave is more then enough.
Especially if you're not using alum yet.
Of course you can still try it, but I keep it out of my rotation.

**winstonage** · 08-04-2012, 07:12 AM

I use the witch all over my face. It has actually removed the bags under my eyes, and I no longer get blackheads. My Doctor is the one who recommended it years ago.

**jkingrph** · 08-04-2012, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by winstonage

I use the witch all over my face. It has actually removed the bags under my eyes, and I no longer get blackheads. My Doctor is the one who recommended it years ago.

My experience also. I had very dark bags under the eyes and they are much much lighter now. I have been using Thayers and find I can wipe it directly over eyelids and upper cheekbone area and get no eye irritation at all.

**LouBarraza** · 08-04-2012, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Pkrankow

Straight witch hazel is 14% alcohol, not much alcohol at all. Expect no burn, just soothing. Splash it on and revel in the woody scent. Seriously it smells like leaves and bark, or wait, it is made from leaves and bark! Note how the scent fades to undetectable by the time your face is dry.

Follow up with your favorite aftershave scent, or go without.

Phil

I detected the scent of smoked frankfurters.Or hickory bacon.

**musicman1951** · 08-04-2012, 01:28 PM

I have only used the Thayer's unscented with aloe - but it is wonderful stuff for me. I have only used my alum block once (after a particularly bad shave produced a good weeper) since I got it. A little goes a long way.

**El-a-Menthol** · 08-04-2012, 03:48 PM

They sell it here for very reasonable prices I think.
I think you want the witch-hazel water or hydrosol, not sure though.
Maybe someone here knows what to get: witch-hazel water/hydrosol/extract.
I think the extract is way too strong and used as a base for making lotions.
The hydrosols are becoming more popular (and are of a better quality?) but the regular witch-hazel is a "witch-hazel water" I think.
Seems like some places here do sell it for reasonable prices.
Online drugstores tend to be cheap here, but at some womens beaty shops they sell regular witch-hazel at redicilous prices.

**DMT** · 08-04-2012, 03:59 PM

Generally you'll find it in European pharmacies behind the counter along side the rubbing alcohol and glycerin it's one of those products you have to ask for