Witch Hazel

Witch Hazel Extract is derived from Hamamelis virginiana L., a deciduous shrub belonging to the Hamamelidaceae family and native to eastern North America. The leaves and bark have a long history of use in traditional botanical preparations and are particularly associated with skin-care applications.

The plant contains a diverse profile of polyphenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids. Important constituents include hamamelitannin, gallic acid, ellagic acid and related tannin compounds. The tannin content is particularly relevant to the astringent character of Witch Hazel preparations.

In cosmetic formulations, Witch Hazel Extract is primarily used as an astringent and skin-conditioning botanical ingredient. It is especially suitable for products designed for oily, combination or blemish-prone skin, facial toners, cleansers, after-shave products, scalp formulations and other personal-care products. COSMILE Europe lists Hamamelis virginiana extract for astringent, anti-sebum and skin-conditioning functions.

The exact composition depends considerably on whether the raw material is an extract from leaves/bark/twigs or a steam distillate (Witch Hazel Water). This distinction is very important when specifying your raw material.