// My Top 5 Uses for Witch Hazel

One thing we always have on hand at home is witch hazel. Holy moly you can use it for any and everything it seems! Natural Living Ideas explains witch hazel like this: "Witch hazel is a topical astringent derived from the bark and leaves of the Hamamelis virginiana, the common or North American witch hazel shrub. Native Americans have long recognized the medicinal properties of witch hazel and used a decoction of the boiled plant parts to treat skin irritations and tumors." Chances are likely that if you're at all into natural remedies, you have a bottle on hand in your own medicine cabinet. I first started using witch hazel back when I was around 19 and getting tattooed on a very regular basis. I found that witch hazel helped relieve some of the swelling and burning that tattooing usually caused. It also helped take the "sting" out of the tender areas. Now I have a bevvy of uses for the witch hazel we keep in our house. Today I'm going to share my top 5 uses!

My Top 5 Uses for Witch Hazel

1. Diaper Rash! This totally has to be my number one because it is the most useful thing for when L gets a red bottom. In the past I would blot a paper towel or thin FST (flour sack towel) with witch hazel and apply it to his bottom to help ease the uncomfortable burn. Now I have the Dickinson's witch hazel towelettes that I keep stocked in his diaper bag. It really helps me when I need something on the go. If you have a kiddo in diapers, get some of these things! And thank me later ;)

2. Tattoo Relief! Like I mentioned in the paragraph above, I've used witch hazel for relief during and after tattoo appointments for years. Sometimes my skin just can't hang with the burning and swelling, so I'll wipe down the tattooed area with a witch hazel towelette and boom! Instant relief! I never go to a tattoo appointment without it. I don't always use it while I'm getting tattooed, but I think the reassurance that I have it handy really helps. It super comes in handy the morning after getting a new piece though!

3. Itch relief! Y'all Tennessee's state bird should seriously just be the mosquito. I'm not even joking. I love living here, but I hate the mosquitos. It's not uncommon for us to go sit on our deck for 10 or 15 minutes and then come back in with half a dozen or more new bites. We've tried so many different concoctions and potions to help ease the itch, but we always just dab the bite with witch hazel before bed. Usually by the time we wake up in the morning the swelling has gone down completely and there's no itch whatsoever. Just in time for us to go get 5 or 10 more... haha

4. Soothing Razor Burn! Okay, so maybe I don't use it for this purpose a ton (um hello, it's cold. I'm not shaving ha!) but I'll admit I have a habit of buying the cheap razors at the store. I'm not sure why, but that's where my hand gravitates while shopping haha! And cheap razors typically mean razor burn. If I don't cut off part of my leg and then bleed out, I'm usually nursing some bumps and irritations. (When will I learn?!?!) I do appreciate how witch hazel can soothe without burning though. Two thumbs way up.

5. Cure Under Eye Bags! Being a parent sometimes means forgoing sleep for a bit. And being a parent in the middle of juggling five businesses and a career shift also means skipping sleep. I've been feeling the effects of it lately and so has my face. This isn't actually something I've done for long - I didn't even know witch hazel could be used for this purpose. But ever since using these towelettes I've found so many new ways to implement witch hazel into my routine. My face thanks you, Dickinson's!


So how about those little yellow packages up there? Dickinson's says this about their witch hazel products: "Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel has been an all-natural American Beauty Favorite since 1866 (whoa!) and is the best kept beauty secret for radiant, selfie-ready skin." Alright, cool, yeah? Dickinson's definitely markets their witch hazel towelettes as beauty products, but you can see from above that there are so many ways to utilize them in your daily life. If you're looking for something to add to your beauty regime, you can use the witch hazel towelettes to help remove makeup and excess oil and dirt (without drying out your face!) You can get them in the towelette pack (think baby wipes!) or individually wrapped. I usually have a couple thrown in my purse or diaper bag for using on the run but I always keep the cleansing cloth pack in the diaper bag. It fits perfectly in with Linden's Boogie Wipes. That way I'm never without them when I need them.

You can get the pack of cloths for $6.99 and the On-The-Go towelettes for $5.99 at various retailers like Walgreens, Duane Reade, and even Walmart. Once you start using them you'll likely realize you've been missing out all this time haha! Seriously, you can use them for anything!

The vanity pack cleansing cloths come in a ready to use pack which is perfect for home or daily use. They don't leave behind any icky, sticky residue, and they're soap and fragrance free. (I totally expected a scent... Not sure why. I appreciate that they don't stink up the place haha) The towelettes are actually gentle spun lace cloths which are formulated with 100% natural witch hazel. Nothing weird or questionable in them. If you're keen on these, be sure to check out Dickinson's Facebook and Instagram for a special offer coming soon! They're on Twitter, too.

Do you have any handy uses for witch hazel? What else have I been missing out on?!

xo KB

This post is in partnership with Single Edition Media and Dickinson's. All thoughts, words and opinions are my own! As usual! 

10 comments:

  1. i love using witch hazel as a toner, never thought to try it on a new tatttoo! that is a great idea!

    also, you should look into dollar shave club. i always bought cheap razors cuz the fancy ones are SO EXPENSIVE and even though they worked so much better i hated buying them. i get dollar shave club every other month so i change my razor every two weeks and it rules! it is so cheap i and don't have to remember to get them at the store and they are such good quality!

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    1. Ooh thanks for the heads up! I'll check that out today!

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  2. wow! I've heard great things about witch hazel for years but have never seen where to buy it or what products have it in there. I'm always nervous about applying different things to fresh tattoos...is witch hazel really safe for it? I guess if it's safe for a baby's bum it has to be!

    haha thanks for sharing I'm going to look out for Dickinson's products now!

    XO Sahra
    Que Sera Sahra

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    1. 110% safe! If you need a little more reassurance, Google "witch hazel tattoo" and read some articles on some tattoo sites to help ease your worries! It reeeeeally helps me after being tattooed!

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  3. So weird, but it helps get rid of bruises too.
    I also use it as an astringent for my face- helps clear up blackheads!
    -Kellie

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    1. I had heard it helped bruises but never tried it myself! I have a gnarly one right now so time to put it to the test!

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  4. I've only used witch hazel right after giving birth. The hospital staff gave me the round ones to put on the giant pads (ha!) and it felt so much better! I definitely will try the face wipes for under eye bags.

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  5. #6. Sprinkled on a padsicle for vaginal birth (and possible surgical birth, but I don't know from personal experience) healing. AMAZING. The cold pad is soothing enough, but the witch hazel really helps, too. (...sorry if TMI, all!)

    <3

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  6. it's really nice hazel and I definitely will try the face wipes for under eye bags.

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  7. I am a huge fan of witch hazel. I use dickinson's everry single day, and it has basically cured my cystic acne. I used to have awful huge cysts popping up monthly, but now all I use is witch hazel twice daily and it has 100% tranformed my skin.

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HEY! Thanks for dropping by. xo KB