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Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract

Hamamelis Virginiana Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract · Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract

Witch hazel extract from the bark, leaves and twigs, used to condition skin.

What it does

It’s extracted from the bark, leaves and twigs of the witch hazel shrub. As an astringent, it can leave skin feeling tighter.

The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a skin conditioner, its general term for an ingredient that keeps skin in good condition.European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗

The evidence, graded

expert consensusUS safety reviewers (2018) assessed witch hazel ingredients, which products use mostly as astringents and to condition skin. In the tests they reviewed, these ingredients generally didn’t irritate or cause allergy; a leaf extract at 0.45% caused neither in repeated patch tests. Because astringents may irritate, and these may be used near the eyes, they judged them safe in products made not to irritate or cause allergy. Their list names the leaf extract and the bark, leaf and twig extract.Cosmetic 2018 · Cosmetic Ingredient Review ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

witch hazel bark, leaf and twig extract

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