murphyHamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) leaf water
AKA: American witch-hazel, Witch Hazel Leaf Water
Plant-Derived
Astringent
Skin Conditioner
Not Clean
OriginNative to North America. Derived from the leaves of Hamamelis virginiana, a shrub native to eastern North America in the Hamamelidaceae family. Extracted through water distillation or maceration of the dried leaves to produce the leaf water.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water is a cosmetic ingredient used as astringent, skin conditioning. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Hamamelidaceae
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
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
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
Concentration Guide
Leave-onNot reported
Rinse-off0.67–4.1%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 50%
CIR reported use · report published 2018
FDA OTC limit: 50% (Anorectal Astringent). Source: FDA OTC Monograph, 21 CFR 346.18.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR