Witch Hazel Hydrosol
BOTANICAL NAME: Hamamelis (Greek - name for another plant) virginiana (Virginia)
EXTRACTION: Steam distillation
DESCRIPTION: Witch Hazel hydrosol is a water distillate extracted from the witch-hazel shrub, or the Hamamelis virginiana. The witch hazel plant is found in North America and has been used in traditional indigenous medicine for centuries. Witch hazel is an astringent with multiple skincare benefits. Indigenous cultures in North America use this astringent to treat swellings, inflammations and tumors. Their healing methods using this ingredient were adopted by early Puritan settlers once they arrived from Europe. It was Dr. Charles Hawes who discovered that steam distillation of witch hazel stems and bark produced stronger healing capabilities and was the first to market witch hazel as “Hawes Extract” in Essex, Connecticut at the end of the 19th century. Witch hazel hydrosol is clear and colourless and has an innate ability to sooth, calm and cool skin. It contains astringent tannins gallic acid, hamamelitannin and proanthocyanidins that have a drying effect on the skin.
KEY COMPONENTS: gallic acid, hamamelitannin, proanthocyanidin
FOUND IN: AFTERSHAVE – Bay Rum, AFTERSHAVE – Muskoka, CLEANSE – Tea Tree & Aloe Vera, Sweet Orange Gel Cleanser, Sweet Orange Exfoliating Cleanser, Spot Dabber for Acne Prone Skin