Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) flower water
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Flower Water
Plant-Derived
Soothing
Astringent
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water is a cosmetic ingredient used as astringent, hair conditioning, skin conditioning. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Hamamelidaceae (Witch hazel family)
Plant Part
Flower
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.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Soothes Skin
Traditional Use
The hydrosol or flower water of witch hazel has been used since the 19th century as a gentle astringent and skin toner, derived from the same plant used by Native Americans.
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