Zoe K says…How do tannins found in witch hazel act as an astringent? And how is witch hazel modified from its original state to its state in cosmetics?
The Right Brain responds:
After reading the StevenFoster educational monograph we’re now equipped to tell you more than you ever wanted to know about witch hazel.
How does witch hazel act as an astringent?
First, we’ll explain that astringents are materials that give the skin a feeling of tightness. In the case of witch hazel the active ingredient is a chemical called a tannin. (At the time of this writing it’s close to Christmas, so I’m tempted to work in some kind of pun about a “tannin bomb.” But I won’t.) Anyway, tannins can cross link proteins causing biological structures like skin to literally “tighten up.” (Note: sometimes alcohol evaporation can give this impression.)
How is witch hazel modified from its original form?
In its natural form witch hazel is a shrub that can grow to be 10 feet tall, or more. It has oval leaves and slender petals. In autumn, the plant is harvested by cutting the branches to the ground and chipping the wood and leaves into little bite size pieces. This mulch is then transferred to large stainless-steel vats where it is steam distilled for thirty-six hours. After “stewing” the extracted mixture is condensed and filtered and ethanol is added as a preservative. (Depending on the exact processing, the witch hazel may contain more or less tannins. The mixture of plant parts also controls the tannin content – bark contains 31 times more tannin than the leaves.) The resulting liquid is bottled and sold to drug stores as “witch hazel.”
Reference: StevenFoster.com
Image credit: Wikipedia
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Tannin bomb = love it. I keep a large bottle of Dickinson’s (related to Janice?) in the refrigerator and use it, literally, from head to toe. On those nights when I’ve been a bad girl and have no energy left to remove the spackle from my face to cleansing my nether regions, the ice cold liquid is so soothing and refreshing. And, since I shop at only the most posh places, it’s only a few dollars at Walmart.
I’m well aware of Witch Hazel’s long standing reputation as an anti-irritant, but I’ve sworn it off for a long time because I’ve been under the impression that the alcohol content found in the typical bottle of drugstore witch hazel would be drying and irritating in itself. Is this not the case?
I have seen advertisements for alcohol-free witch hazel extract, but have remained wary.
Please set me straight- have I been wrong to steer myself away from what could be a useful, inexpensive remedy? Or are my concerns valid?