Thread: Witch Hazel Question

My post shave routine is a cold rinse and pat dry. After a few minutes I apply a bit of Original Thayers Witch Hazel and again let my face breath and dry for a few. Next up is the Nivea mixed with some Bay Rum or Old Spice depending on what mood I am in or soap I used for the shave.

I have read quite a few posts that mention the sting after using the Witch Hazel, I however do not notice a sting of any kind while using the product. Am I just luck enough to have tough skin or am I just not irritating my face while I am shaving, not that I want my face irritated.

Just looking for some in-site to the burn of not burn of the Witch Hazel.

Thanks

Commercial witch hazels usually have 14% alcohol in it. You may have a variation that has a lesser amount of alcohol or you are really doing a great job shaving and not irritating you skin so no burn.

Here in the uk its mostly a generic w/h, no stings at all, we can but thayers on line, and like the other post says, some have a greater alcohol content=more sting.

Florida has the same stuff as Texas. You got good shaving skills. I have been using since I started straight shaving. The better I got, the less it stings.Took me a while to get to that point, a mixture of shaving technique and honing epiphany for me.
But even with good technique, close shaving on sensitive skin will happen. Heck, some people it stings before they shave, you know, them sensitive types.
Mike

I use Trumpers sandalwood skin food as an AS balm. That stuff really is the mutts... *ahem*.. you know whats.

Lord knows what I'd use if they ever stopped making it! It soothes my face perfectly, protects the skin, its not greasy and it smells great. I'd highly recommend it!

As CarrieM points out, many witch hazels contain 14% alcohol. This is added as a preservative. Thayer's, other than the "medicated" versions, do not, since they use different chemicals (primarily tocopherol acetate) to prevent spoilage. In my experience, the 14% alcohol does not burn, but I have a typical man's skin so maybe I'm just not feeling it.

I've never had any sting out of the name witch hazels. Maybe the storebrands which tend to be watered down contain more alcohol.

Originally Posted by Longrange

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Just looking for some in-site to the burn of not burn of the Witch Hazel.

Thanks

I'd guess that witch hazel actually helps prevent "the burn".

It's the main active ingredient in some hemorrhoid products, should work great on those sensitive facial tissues, too...

Originally Posted by Longrange

My post shave routine is a cold rinse and pat dry. After a few minutes I apply a bit of Original Thayers Witch Hazel and again let my face breath and dry for a few. Next up is the Nivea mixed with some Bay Rum or Old Spice depending on what mood I am in or soap I used for the shave.

I have read quite a few posts that mention the sting after using the Witch Hazel, I however do not notice a sting of any kind while using the product. Am I just luck enough to have tough skin or am I just not irritating my face while I am shaving, not that I want my face irritated.

Just looking for some in-site to the burn of not burn of the Witch Hazel.

Thanks

I do the same cold shave followed by a cold rinse then Witch Hazel & Nivea Balm , I use T N Dickinsons witch hazel that is pure only stings if ya got few nicks

I do a cold water rinse, followed by witch hazel in the summer months. In the winter I use an alum block in place of the witch hazel.