murphyHamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) leaf extract
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Leaf Extract
Plant-Derived
Skin Conditioner
Extract
Clean
OriginNative to North America. Derived from leaves of Hamamelis virginiana, a shrub native to eastern North America in the Hamamelidaceae family. Extracted from plant material using solvent extraction methods to concentrate the active compounds.
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
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
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
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.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
Lab (in vitro) test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 751)
Not a Skin Irritant
1 study / 1 not irritating (CIR 751)
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 751)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00018–0.011%
Rinse-off0.00035–0.01%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2017 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR