Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) leaf extract

Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) leaf extract 1
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract is a cosmetic ingredient used as skin conditioning. Rated low hazard by EWG. 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
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
Used in traditional North American medicine and widely adopted in Victorian-era cosmetics as an astringent for pores and oily skin conditions.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️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