Experts Say This $10 Natural Ingredient Saves Summer Skin

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When it comes to summer skincare, your skin deals with a lot more abrasive factors than usual: heavy layers of SPF, body oils or tanners mixed with the sweat and grime of summer fun are the perfect recipe for complexion woes, like visibly clogged pores and breakouts. Luckily, there is one medicine-cabinet staple that actually works harder than its drugstore price tag: witch hazel toners are the cheap, easy-to-use, beauty products that can help clarify skin, prevent breakouts and even dreaded "strawberry skin," according to beauty experts.

Best witch hazel toner for dry skin: Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater ($8)

Top witch hazel spray: Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Facial Mist ($12)

Bestselling witch hazel wipes: T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads ($7)

If your complexion tends to look shinier or feel congested during the warmer months, experts say one classic skincare ingredient deserves a second look: witch hazel. E! Insider tapped celebrity master esthetician Pietro Simone, founder of Pietro Simone Skincare and House of Pietro Simone clinics (clients include Gwyneth Paltrow, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Paulson, Emma Roberts and more) to break down the powerhouse ingredient.

What Is Witch Hazel?

How exactly can the single, clean ingredient support clearer skin? "Witch hazel is a very interesting ingredient when it is used correctly," says Simone. Witch hazel is a gentle, plant-derived astringent made from shrub plants native to eastern North America. It's one of the oldest plant extracts with old-school medicinal roots used for its astringent properties and has long been used to manage oil and improve skin texture in areas prone to congestion. Simone says the ingredient works by balancing the skin's surface and the stratum corneum level.

"From a barrier perspective, the benefit is oil moderation and temporary surface refinement." In other words, witch hazel does not exactly "push" gunk out of pores, but rather its astringent properties remove excess surface oil, sweat, and residue while temporarily tightening the look of skin, which can make pores appear cleaner and less congested.

How to Use Witch Hazel for Clearer Skin in the Summer

The esthetician recommends using the ingredient as a toner, meaning after cleansing and before serums and moisturizers, followed by SPF during the day.

Summer is exactly when witch hazel earns its place, thanks to all the extra layers of sweat and buildup that our skin sees this season. "In summer, it can be useful because the skin is dealing with heat, sweat, SPF, salt, pollution, makeup, and more sebaceous activity."  Translation: all that buildup is what leads to clogged-looking pores and breakouts, and witch hazel's job is to keep that from piling up so your skin actually stays clear.

There are a few ways one can apply witch hazel effectively: because of its water-like consistency, a convenient face spray allows for hydration and an even, thin coat to touch every pore. If you know your skin runs dry, opt for products with hydrating agents to counteract witch hazel's drying effect. For example, Dr. Thayer's Witch Hazel Rose Petal Facial Mist combines moisturizing ingredients such as rose water, aloe vera, and glycerin that also calm and hydrate the skin.

Or, use the astringent as a cleanser to remove product and buildup in the morning or throughout the day using witch hazel wipes or applying it with a cotton pad, focusing on oily areas like the T-zone.

Simone shares that the unassuming ingredient has many beauty uses beyond the face. "I like it for the T-zone, chest, and back after sweating," Simone says. "It can also be put on the underarms as a refreshing step, not as a replacement for deodorant. It can calm the look of irritation after shaving the legs," and he adds it's useful on "any hairline or scalp edge where there is sweat and oil buildup" to prevent breakouts and blackheads.

Using Witch Hazel for "Strawberry Skin"

The gentle astringent is not reserved for the complexion only, it can also clean the pores on the body just as well and is credited as a go-to step for preventing "strawberry skin," including "strawberry legs." That can happen when pores or follicles become visibly clogged with dirt, dead skin, bacteria or oil, creating the appearance of dark dots or blackheads on the body.

To keep pores and follicles clear, you'll want to shave as usual and then apply witch hazel to dry skin by spraying or swiping it on as the first post-shower step, allowing it to dry completely before proceeding with moisturizers. For "strawberry skin" specifically, he says witch hazel "can be helpful as a clarifying and calming step that removes surface oil" and reduces "the look of congestion" — as long as the dots are actually from sweat, oil, or shaving irritation, and not true keratosis pilaris, which he notes needs different treatment.

Simone shares that the unassuming ingredient has many beauty uses beyond the face. "I like it for the T-zone and the chest and back after sweating," Simone says. "It can also be put on the underarms as a refreshing step, not as a replacement for deodorant. It can calm the look of irritation after shaving the legs," and he adds it's useful on "any hairline or scalp edge where there is sweat and oil buildup" to prevent breakouts and blackheads.

The gentle astringent is not reserved for the complexion only, it can also clean the pores on the body just as well and is credited as a go-to step for preventing "strawberry skin," including "strawberry legs." That can happen when pores or follicles become visibly clogged with dirt, dead skin, bacteria or oil, creating the appearance of dark dots or blackheads on the body.

To keep pores and follicles clear, you'll want to shave as usual and then apply witch hazel to dry skin by spraying or swiping it on as the first post-shower step, allowing it to dry completely before proceeding with moisturizers. For "strawberry skin" specifically, he says witch hazel "can be helpful as a clarifying and calming step that removes surface oil" and reduces "the look of congestion" — as long as the dots are actually from sweat, oil, or shaving irritation, and not true keratosis pilaris, which he notes needs different treatment.

What to Know Before Using Witch Hazel on Skin

Here's the part Simone underscores: witch hazel does have cons to be aware of. "It can be drying," he says. "This is the part people must respect. Witch hazel is an astringent, and if you overuse it or choose a formula with alcohol, fragrance, or too little hydration, it can make the skin tight, red, or dehydrated."

To avoid over-drying your skin, Simone shares three rules of thumb: First, choose alcohol- and fragrance-free formulas, ideally combined with humectants (such as aloe vera, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or rose water) to balance the skin barrier. Next, watch your frequency as it may not be totally necessary as a daily step. "For oily, resilient skin, witch hazel should be used only once daily, ideally in the morning or after sweating," he says. "For sensitive, dry, rosacea or eczema skin, I would use every other day or as needed." Last, do not combine witch hazel with other active ingredients, as the combo can be overpowering on even the toughest of complexions: "I would be cautious using it with strong exfoliating acids, retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, or anything that is already drying."

Simone's bottom line on whether or not witch hazel is right for you: "If the skin is oily, sweaty, congested, and overheated, witch hazel can be a beautiful summer reset. If the skin is tight, flushed, recently peeled, over-retinized, sunburned, eczema-prone, or barrier-compromised, I would leave witch hazel alone and choose hydration, lipids, and repair," Simone instructs.

How Fast Does Witch Hazel Work?

As for when you'll actually see clearer skin, witch hazel works at the surface level rather than the cellular level, meaning the cleansing effect is more immediate than, say, a retinoid. Most users notice less shine and a cleaner feel immediately following use, and those results can continue with consistent, correct use. If you're treating overly congested skin, you may notice less oiliness right away, while the look of congestion can take a few uses to improve.

A simple, safe regimen to start with could be: For a.m. or p.m. use, cleanse first, then apply an alcohol-free witch hazel toner to the T-zone (or all over the face if oily), follow with a hydrating serum to avoid dryness, then your moisturizer and SPF. This can be done once a day if your skin runs oily and resilient, or every other day if it's sensitive or prone to irritation.

Pietro Simone's Witch Hazel Alternatives

The Compulsory Cleanser, $45 — Simone's go-to for a surface-balancing cleanser is great for daily purifying use without the astringent effect. It's built with natural plant extracts and anti-inflammatory botanicals (sage, chamomile, rosemary, oregano) that purify without stripping the skin, which can cause that tightening or drying feeling of a harsher, alcohol-based formula.

PS 24 Lotion, $205 — "If someone wants the “toner step” but witch hazel feels too drying, I would move them toward PS 24 Lotion," says Simone. "This is a much more intelligent post-cleansing step if witch hazel is too strong to use as a toner." It's "expertly crafted to optimize the skin’s natural process, it harmonizes the microbiome, accelerates cellular renewal, and fortifies the skin’s barrier," which can help support a smoother, more radiant-looking complexion.

RetinoLift BioMatrix Serum, $275 — If you're skipping the toner step in your regimen, but still want to treat texture and visible pores, this post-cleanse step is meant to be paired with moisturizer and SPF rather than a harsh toner.

Shop The Best Witch Hazel Products for Summer

Dickinson Witch Hazel For Face & Body

The classic Dickinson's formula is an easy option for face and body. It contains 100% natural distilled witch hazel with 14% natural grain alcohol, so it's best for oilier or more resilient skin types that want that tight, astringent feel–without overly stripping. Use it on areas prone to excess oil and breakouts (like around your chest, back or bra line area for body acne) or post-shave, then follow with moisturizer to keep skin happily balanced.

Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Cleansing Cloth Wipes

Fragrance-free witch hazel cleansing cloths are an easy grab-and-go option for busy summer days. Stash a pack in your gym bag, carry-on or beach tote for a quick refresh when you need it most. Since these use 100% natural distilled witch hazel, follow with moisturizer, and SPF during the day.

Thayers Witch Hazel Rose Petal Facial Mist

"Trust the red cap," because Thayers is one of the leading names in witch hazel, and this rose petal mist is the kind of refreshing summer skincare staple that you'll reach for multiple times a day, especially if you're worried about avoiding breakouts. The alcohol-free spray makes application easy and even, while the rose water and aloe vera help calm and hydrate the skin. This step should go after cleansing in your skincare routine, or anytime your skin needs a cleanse but you can't fully wash your face, like after a workout or while on the go.

Mild By Nature Witch Hazel Toner

This alcohol-free, unscented toner is a gentler pick for those seeking that clarifying feel of witch hazel, without abrasive fragrance or alcohol. The formula uses American witch hazel with aloe vera and grapefruit seed to tone and lightly rehydrate. It's vegan, cruelty-free, works well for most skin types, and is less than $10.

Dickinson Original Witch Hazel Hydrating Toner with Rosewater

Powered by 100% natural distilled witch hazel, this Dickinson's toner helps clear away impurities while adding hydration with hyaluronic acid, aloe, and vitamin E. The brand's "plant to bottle" process uses sustainable harvesting to gather its certified organic witch hazel plants, and is said to meet the "highest grade in skincare." Because it both cleanses and moisturizes, it's a strong one-and-done option for those that prefer fewer steps in a low-maintenance skincare routine.

Dickinson T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads

These pre-moistened cleansing pads offer easy, fast cleansing–no cotton required. The textured pads act as subtle exfoliation, sweeping away excess oil, sweat and surface buildup on the face or body. These are so convenient for after shaving, workouts or on extra humid (aka oily) days. Both fragrance- and dye-free, you'll be happy to have these on hand whenever you're in need of a quick cleanse.

Ready to tweak your skincare routine to perfection this season? Achieve the glowing complex of your summer dreams thanks to The Essential Summer Skincare Ingredients Recommended by Dermatologists

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