Witch Hazel Hydrosol is one of the oldest forms of botanical treatments. Witch Hazel is so effective that it is commercially available in almost every drug store but, commercial Witch Hazel should not be confused with the hydrosol. The common Witch Hazel available commercially is actually an extraction in alcohol, which is not appropriate for a toner, like a hydrosol would be. Alcohol is very drying to the skin. In contrast, the true hydrosol / distillate of Witch Hazel is excellent for almost any skin type, especially mature. The hydrosol / distillate is the pure distillate of the whole plant with no alcohol or other additives.
Witch Hazel has been sold for treating anything from irritated skin to varicose veins since the days of the medicine cart. It has been sold in the United States for over 150 years.
This true hydrosol / distillate of Witch Hazel is astringent and soothing. It has a very soft herbaceous fragrance, making it a perfect choice for your men's skin care lines, especially shaving products. Witch Hazel is the most astringent of all hydrosols, making it the best choice for acne treatments as well as mature skin. The astringent nature also makes it one of the best choices for toning the skin. Both oily and mature skin benefit from it's tightening and balancing properties Witch Hazel hydrosol is also one of the hydrosols with the lowest pH which makes it a suitable water replacement, or base, for any toner geared toward skin refinement.
Toner Recommendations: for best results add no more than 1 drop of essential oil per ounce of toner to keep it light and avoid an emulsifier or shake before use :::
Mature Skin ... try combining with 30 to 40% Neroli (Orange Blossom) Hydrosol and AT26 DermaFleur
Oily Skin ... try combining with 20% Rosemary Hydrosol, 30% Lavender Hydrosol and AT177 Balance & Refine
Inflamed Skin
SPECIFICATIONS
Appearance: | clear to light amber non viscous liquid |
Odor: | characteristic herbal odor |
Solubility: | water soluble |
Storage: | tightly sealed, cool and away from direct heat and light |
Shelf: | 36 mos when stored and handled properly |
PROPERTIES
- anti-septic
- anti-fungal
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-oxidant
- tightening
- soothing
APPLICATIONS
- toner
- compress for engorged blood vessels *
- varicose veins
- spider veins
- acne and oily skin care
- acne toners
- acne creams / lotions
- acne spot treatments
- mature skin care
- men's care lines
- shaving
- after shave
- moisturizers
- product lines geared towards damaged skin
- water replacement in emulsions
- elixirs
GUIDELINES Usage: | 2.0 to 100% |
Processing: | Add to, or use as, water phase replacement |
* Aromatherapy protocol recommends a compress of cotton soaked with Witch Hazel Hydrosol, applied for 15 minutes, three to four x daily
NOTE :: This hydrosol is not preserved so it is important to protect against contamination, once opened. Always wipe the lip with alcohol after pouring. Never touch the lip of the bottle that you're pouring into with the lip of the main bottle. Never add back to the main bottle. Once poured out it should not be re-combined with the original bottle. You may add a water soluble preservative, such as Gluconolactone and Sodium Benzoate, or PhytoCide, to extend the shelf life.