Hamamelis virginiana witch hazel water
AKA: Bark and leaves of Hamamelis virginiana
Plant-Derived Synthetic
Solvent
Skin Conditioner
Mineral
Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana Witch Hazel Water is a cosmetic ingredient. Rated low hazard by EWG.
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.
Solvent
Dissolves other ingredients so they distribute evenly in the formula. Often the invisible "base" everything else is mixed into.
Minimizes pores
Controls excess oil
Traditional Use
Used by Native Americans for centuries as an astringent remedy for skin irritation, inflammation, and wound healing. European colonists adopted witch hazel for these properties, and it became a standard ingredient in 19th-century American pharmacopeias and skincare.
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