Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) extract
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Extract
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract is a cosmetic ingredient. Rated low hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Hamamelidaceae (Witch hazel family)
Plant Part
Whole Plant
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
84696-19-5
Form
Liquid
Functions
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
Witch hazel extract was first distilled commercially in the 1840s in the United States. It became a standard ingredient in astringent tonics, aftershaves, and skin remedies based on centuries of Indigenous use.
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory0 listings
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR