Is Witch Hazel really that good?

[pipskicks]

So I really like my WH, I use EO's with it and it smells great for cheap. But whenever shaving comes up between a cosmetologist friend and I, we discuss razor burn and help after shaving. Her idea is that WH makes an ok astringent, but it is not helpful for razor burn, and neither is Nivea/moisturizing cream. Both of which I use because of this forum, and it's been working great, so I never really thought to question it.

However, she says Salycilic Acid (not sure of the spelling, it's the Aspirin stuff, it's been discussed on here, and it's in a lot of acne medications) is the best. I'm wondering if say the Neutrogena Astringent may be the best thing (according to her at least) since it's got Salycilic Acid in it (although it dries the skin up really bad).


Do people think that's probably a lot better for razor burn? Is it that WH is just a good astringent and since razor burn doesn't happen too often when you are careful you don't need razor burn help? I am confused as to why people don't suggest stronger Salycilic Acid mixtures for newbies, I guess the Nivea A/S cream can help a bit too, but according to her that will moisturize but not take down the razor burn.


Anyone have any thought on this? I'm really not sure what the best is, not sure if anyone else knows, but just thought it was an interesting topic, especially since it would seem like strong Salycilic Acid would help newbies the most.

 

[Rattray]

This is very much YMMV... Tend Skin is another good product with salicylic acid.

I've made my own by mashing up 4 Aspirin (about 2g of actual ingredient) and adding them to a bottle of AS. I use it only when I have irritated skin, mostly resulting from wearing a dress shirt and a warm scarf in winter. I got a hold of some of the pure active ingredient as a crystal powder and added 2g of that to a new bottle of AS for the upcoming winter. Advantage beeing, I don't have the filler substances from the Aspirin in the AS. A 100ml bottle lasts about 1 year due to occasional use only. Works great for me!

 

[pipskicks]

I heard of people talking about the crushed aspirin in other threads on here, never thought about the fillers, that may actually be not good to rub on your face....

The pure stuff must be awesome, I'd love to mix some of that with some of the Veg and get some good smell and some salicylic acid. How did you get it if you don't mind me asking? I've never seen it, I have a friend who's a pharmacist, maybe he can get it, I see you're in Germany too so it may be different out there.

 

[Rattray]

Pharmacy is the place to go. I had to buy 50g, but at about $10 that was no biggie. Your friend should be able to hook you up and weigh out a small amount. For this winter I added it to Speick AS.

 

[Matt_Bloodletter]

I'm no expert at all that stuff but I rarely used anything after shaving before. WH feels extraordinary and that's what matters to me. Interestingly, I found that sal. acid is an "inactive" ingredient in Gold Bond. Not sure why it's there. Maybe for a similar reason. I think between WH and a good AS with glycerin in it, I'm set. If it gets better than that I'd love to hear about it.

 

[Deltaboy]

Witch Hazel works for me.

 

[celestino]

i can not comment on the scientific point of this, but i have to agree that Thayers witch hazel is fantastic.
If you really want the best thing for razor burn, i highly suggest you get some good unrefined shea butter. Fantastic stuff!

 

[Krona Kruiser]

You should try the WH sample. http://www.thayers.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=25

 

[The Kiwi]

Aspirin's full name is acetylsalicylic acid, and it was originally distilled from the liquid obtained by boiling willow bark in plain water, if I recall correctly. I am certain it's been produced "artificially" since Bayer started making up tablets for commercial sale a hundred years or so ago.

The origins of salicylic acid I am less certain of. However, I have had problems with Psoraisis for ten years, and it is the only product that helps with it. Various other skin conditions also respond well to it, such as acne.

Neutrogena makes both a shaving cream and an aftershave lotion that contain salicylic acid. My skin is naturally relatively oily, and I have no dryness from using their product from time to time. In fact, a patch of skin that seems like a dry patch might be an incipient Psoraisis lesion, instead, and that's when I reach for their products.

 

[jzuzphreek]

I only use witch hazel to stop the bleeding. Oh the bleeding!

 

[johnh]

I use WH for minor irritation. On occasions when I had bad irritation I'd make an aspirin and WH balm by grindng aspirin in a mortar and adding water / WH and applying it to the area. This works very well if burnt.

 

[Direwolf]

We get Salicylic acid in by the 1000 Kg batch at work. We make cosmetic raw material and use it in alot of different products.

 

[banditman]

So I really like my WH, I use EO's with it and it smells great for cheap. But whenever shaving comes up between a cosmetologist friend and I, we discuss razor burn and help after shaving. Her idea is that WH makes an ok astringent, but it is not helpful for razor burn, and neither is Nivea/moisturizing cream. Both of which I use because of this forum, and it's been working great, so I never really thought to question it.

However, she says Salycilic Acid (not sure of the spelling, it's the Aspirin stuff, it's been discussed on here, and it's in a lot of acne medications) is the best. I'm wondering if say the Neutrogena Astringent may be the best thing (according to her at least) since it's got Salycilic Acid in it (although it dries the skin up really bad).


Do people think that's probably a lot better for razor burn? Is it that WH is just a good astringent and since razor burn doesn't happen too often when you are careful you don't need razor burn help? I am confused as to why people don't suggest stronger Salycilic Acid mixtures for newbies, I guess the Nivea A/S cream can help a bit too, but according to her that will moisturize but not take down the razor burn.


Anyone have any thought on this? I'm really not sure what the best is, not sure if anyone else knows, but just thought it was an interesting topic, especially since it would seem like strong Salycilic Acid would help newbies the most.

I use WH and Nivea both and they work quite well. Interesting that you got a recommendation to use salicylic acid for razor burn-SA compounds are more commonly recommended for acne, exfoliation and ingrown hairs but I have used aspirin for razor burn and it does seem to work.

 

[tfinch]

Witch Hazel treats me fine. But my pre-shave wash contains salicylic acid so I guess I get the benefit of both.

 

[_Razor]

http://www.laboratoiresosma.com/ : google toolbar for a translation into English. Worth reading, because some of the translations are extremly amusing. I purchased one of these off of Amazon after seeing a article here on Badger and Blade. This is 100% natural and is suppose to heal weepers. A alum block.

 

[Renato1]

After you've joined this place, you really shouldn't be getting much by way of razor burn, unless you are using a blade that is too sharp for you.

Anyhow, it's easy to see if your cosmetologist friend knows what she's talking about - try the Neutrogena Astringent on one side of your face, and Witch hazel on the other. I suspect you'll have a hard time telling the difference.
Regards,
Renato

 

[rider4life]

Since starting DE and even after trying out a straight shave I've gotten zero razor burn from any shave except for my second DE shave where the Merkur blade felt like it was tearing my face off. If I feel even a slight tug or pull now I check my lather. If that's good I switch my DE blade (or I'd re-strop my straight). After finishing my shaves I use an AS balm or skin food and an AS splash. Zero razor burn.

Cheers,

M.

 

[adango]

Witch Hazel really is that good. I make an after-shave balm out of it from this thread: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-308468.html

Witch Hazel, Glycerin, some Tea Tree oil for EO and you're set: nice and antiseptic and great smelling.

 

[Agravic]

Yes! Unlike other AS remedies that burn and such, WH consistently provides a soothing aftershave experience and helps maintain the skin.

 

[Mandina]

On the history and science of WH
http://www.stevenfoster.com/educatio...itchhazel.html

Salicylic acid is the key ingredient in solutions designed to heal razor bumps, so I would think that your friend is basically correct. Thanks to B&B, I no longer suffer from irritation or bumps. Even so, I use WH sometimes and--to use up a product purchased back when my technique wasn't as good--I sometimes use a CVS generic equivalent of the Neutragena Astringent (of which there are various equivalent brands). I'm not sure that I can really tell any difference in effect, especially since I then apply my own home-mixed AS blend of oils (such as a base of sweet almond oil with small amounts of castor oil, olive oil, lanolin, glycerin, and essential oils--variously purchased at GNC, a mainstream pharmacy or Target, and the supermarket; I keep the mix in a recycled jar). This is along the lines that Adango describes: it's fun to experiment to see what works best for you. btw, using the lanolin and glycerin makes my post-shave skin moist, soft, and comfortable--even after shaving with Williams soap! The mix, it seems, is a great equalizer for the post-shave effect of shaving soaps at various price points.