Witch Hazel

**johnmw1** · 10-28-2006, 06:56 PM

Hello,

Before the question a bit about me.

As a new comer to wetshaving, I'm having a lot of problems with shaver bump or in growns or just plain ugly breakouts. I'm also 52yrs old and have had problem skin all my adult life. My skin I consider has always been very oily, particularly across my forehead. I have never really bothered about a proper cleaning regime, and apart from being washed in the shower, that was it for me. No cleansers, or moisturisers, nothing.

I have had two different courses of Roaccutane over the last ten years to try and clear my skin up. The side effects of the drug were very aggressive, but the desired effect would last for maybe a year after completing the four month course.

As over the years I have gone from full beard to clean shaven and back again, using disposables to finally electric over the last 2 yrs, and now to proper wetshaving (and what an addiction this has become).

I have been using my Merkur HD for a week now, with very mixed results. Started off ok, but on the second and third shaves very bloody with lots of breakout. I have swapped to an Israeli blade and not shaved for a couple of days to let my poor face settle down. Thankfully last nights shave was blood free, and my face is actually starting to look a bit healthier. I was also doing the three pass method but have reduced that back to two for the time being.

I'm using an assortment of different shave creams, mainly Proraso red & green, as well as the pre/post Prosaro. Also have Trumpers Lime shaving soap, and I finish off with an alum bar, and then add the Prosaro pre/post cream. And some Trumper Eau De Quinine AS which smells just great.

And now finally to the questions.

Witch hazel is mentioned a lot in these forums mainly Thayers brand. As I live in Australia and will probably have to order on line, I did a search for witch hazel, and found a few different brands. From my readings it seems to be very important as to what type is used. Charles from QED recommends Dickinson Blue brand which then comes in various different types (pads with and without aloe vera), and Classic Shaving sells Thayers witch hazel which also comes in various types (Thayers Medicated Superhazel with Aloe Vera Formula, along with other types of cleansing pads etc) If you read the blurb on their web sites and what goes into them they both claim to be the best.

I don't really know which witch hazel I should be going for considering the problems I have with my skin. I also have just read a review on the Green Clay masks that Charles sells, and think I would like to give that a go as well.

Probably in part to my own question, because I have to pay some very healthy shipping rates to get this stuff to me here in Oz, I ideally only want to order from one supplier if that is at all possible.

Well that is my story so far, and I look forward your input.

Thanks

John

**Jim** · 10-28-2006, 07:15 PM

Welcome John!

Sounds as if you are on the right path, a few bumps may be along the way!

I have sensitive skin and find all the Proraso products are irritating. It might be something to keep in mind, If you are ordering from QED, Charles makes a Di Vinci water which is a hydrosol mixture of rose and lavender- very calming and soothing to the skin.
I have found the Shea butter enriched soaps to be helpful in reducing razor burn and irritation.
I am sure you will find your way- hang in and keep posting!

**Jack Bauer** · 10-28-2006, 07:16 PM

Welcome John. As far as witch hazel goes I like thayer's w/aloe unscented. You may want to watch which creams you are using as a lot of them may have some stuff that leads to breakouts. You could possibly look into using an all natural shave cream/soap or Coate's Tea Tree (never tried).

Chris

**mullenpf61** · 10-28-2006, 07:40 PM

Thayer's products vary a lot in alcohol. THe alcohol in the scented is a little high than the aloe, if you're concerned about it

**johnmw1** · 10-28-2006, 08:05 PM

Heh

You people are amazing, considering I'm not sure what time it is in your part of the world?

John

**Jim** · 10-28-2006, 08:12 PM

This is where WE are!

**johnmw1** · 10-28-2006, 08:37 PM

Thats very impressive. Couldn't quite work out how to enter my info though.

John

**vinny1957** · 10-28-2006, 08:41 PM

Welcome John!!

**johnmw1** · 10-28-2006, 08:49 PM

Thankyou very much for that.

John

**BroJohn** · 10-28-2006, 09:14 PM

John --

Pharmaceutical grade Witchhazel is just fine and you can probably get it at modest cost from your local chemists. The 'branded' stuff is just that --branded and at higher cost. They may add color, fragrance, Aloe, etc., for the additional cost. The barebones WH is fine, and if you are so motivated, you can doctor it up yourself. There is no magic in the branded WH's that would make them worth bearing the cost of international shipping to Oz.

Witchhazel will probably be somewhat helpful to your skin condition, as would use of an Alum block. Read through the threads here at B&B, and you'll find others with similar skin condition problems and issues. Many of these threads will have a lot of information for you to use.

Good luck, and welcome to B&B. Make sure you sign in at the newbie check-in area of the General Forum.

-- John Gehman

**sparky5693** · 10-28-2006, 09:18 PM

Consider the badger and blade aftershave (made by mama bear). It contains witch hazel, and alot of other goodies for your skin (no alcohol either). There's a sticky in the aftershave section on it.

I've never used dickinson's, but I have sniffed it in the store. To me it smells like raw meat. Other than the scent, I've not seen any complaints on it.

**Edcculus** · 10-29-2006, 10:07 AM

I have the CVS brand of witch hazel. seems to work fine for me.

**zachster** · 10-29-2006, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by sparky5693

I've never used dickinson's, but I have sniffed it in the store. To me it smells like raw meat. Other than the scent, I've not seen any complaints on it.

Was that the Dickinson's yellow label or blue label? I bought a bottle of the blue, and it smells kind of sickly sweet, sort of like over-ripe corn. While it certainly does the job as an astringent, I really can't get into using it because of the smell. I think I might experiment with adding a few drops of aftershave into the bottle, before giving up on it entirely...

**sparky5693** · 10-29-2006, 11:25 AM

I honestly don't remember. It was in walmart if that helps.

**johnmw1** · 10-29-2006, 11:59 AM

Hello everyone,

Thanks for the welcome.

It appears that there is no real clear concensus on witch hazel, except that it is on the nose so to speak. So with that in mind it won't make things too difficult to order or select whatever brand.

Thanks

John

**htownmmm** · 10-29-2006, 12:03 PM

welcome to B&B John!

You can go with a witch hazel that is sold in a pharmacy or drugstore where you live. Also, to deal with your ingrowns and razor bumps, pick up some tea tree oil. Apply them to the breakout areas until the bumps dry up and/or you can see the hairs within them sticking out.

Try not to shave with your face broken out-it will only make it worse. Afte r your face clears up, then use this formula: one razor, one blade,one cream/soap, brush, one month. This way, you won't have any variables in your shaves and can easily pinpoint what goes wrong. Hope this helps.

You will be assimilated!

Marty

**GentsLLC Shaving-Skincare** · 10-29-2006, 07:08 PM

John-

Regarding your oily skin condition, some of the soap/soap-based products that you are using could be contributing by stripping your skin and causing you to produce more oil. Accutane is serious stuff and best to be avoided if possible. Get yourself into a good cleanser and moisturizer with oil controlling ingredients.

**_C_** · 10-30-2006, 06:42 AM

Welcome John!

I just wanted to make a quick comment on Marty's comment that you can find Witch Hazel in a pharmacy or drugstore.

Originally Posted by htownmmm

You can go with a witch hazel that is sold in a pharmacy or drugstore where you live. Also, to deal with your ingrowns and razor bumps, pick up some tea tree oil. Apply them to the breakout areas until the bumps dry up and/or you can see the hairs within them sticking out.

My wife kindly pointed out during my search for Witch Hazel that it is often used as an alcohol free toner. This made the search a lot easier.

**johnmw1** · 10-30-2006, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by _C_

Welcome John!

My wife kindly pointed out during my search for Witch Hazel that it is often used as an alcohol free toner. This made the search a lot easier.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for that suggestion, I am still endeavouring to track down what ever product that I should be using, and perhaps not what I think I should be using.

And I would like to thank everyone for their continuing help on this subject.

Cheers

John