Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) bark/leaf extract
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Bark/Leaf Extract
Plant-Derived
Astringent
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Not Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf Extract is a cosmetic ingredient used as astringent, skin conditioning. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Hamamelidaceae (Witch hazel family)
Plant Part
Leaf
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
84696-19-5
Form
Liquid
Functions
Astringent
Tightens and contracts skin tissue, temporarily shrinking pores and reducing oiliness. That "clean, tight" feeling after toner.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Minimizes pores
Controls excess oil
Traditional Use
Native to North America, witch hazel was used by Indigenous peoples for centuries as a topical astringent for wounds and skin irritation. Colonial Americans adopted it widely for medicinal and cosmetic purposes.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewednone on file
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR