Titles says it all. I'm considering adding Witch Hazel to my post-shave routine and would like to get some recommendations from you guys.
Recommend me a good Witch Hazel
- Thread starter devil24
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I use the regular Thayer's with alcohol. However, I used the $2-$3 witch hazel from the drugstore for years. It's about as good as Thayer's, but smells slightly different and I think Thayer's adds a few other ingredients. If you're thinking about witch hazel, go get a bottle of the cheap stuff and see what you think.
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- #3
I know it's subjective, but can you describe the smell of it? I checked Amazon.com and most people recommend getting the scented ones (Rose, Lavender) from Thayer's because the regular one supposedly "smells awful".
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I used the unscented for a bit. It's the first time that I buy something labeled unscented and it really didn't smell like anything (not even vodka)!
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- #5
Anyone try the unbranded Witch Hazel at grocery stores? I am guessing it works just as good.
I use the cheap stuff from Walmart...about a buck fifty....next to the rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide.
I'm not using any Witch Hazel at the moment. It does feel good using one but it didn't help or made my skin worse. A good AS splash is all I need.
Dickinson makes a good Witch Hazel. I'm not a fan of the scent in the morning, reminds me too much of last night Vodka...
Thayers is different from all other "Witch Hazels", as can be seen from the ingredient lists.
"Store Brand", Dickinson's, and everything that actually calls itself Witch Hazel:
Thayers:
As you can see, they are two quite different products. Thayers is more like an Aloe Vera product with some Witch Hazel "extract" further down the ingredient list, lower even than Glycerin.
A careful reading of the Thayers bottle will show that Thayers does not actually call itself Witch Hazel (noun) but rather a Witch Hazel (adjective) "formula", "toner", or some other noun depending on the actual Thayers product.
So, when someone asks for a recommendation of a good Witch Hazel, Thayers isn't officially in the running as an option and everything else is FDA regulated and pretty much the same thing. Most likely, all are from one or two of the actual sources and simply bottled and labeled as store brands. Note that the Humphrey's WH company has the same Connecticut address as Dickinson's and the same person is listed as their CEO.
Witch Hazel is an FDA approved remedy for a variety of conditions. Thayers is a cosmetic.
"Store Brand", Dickinson's, and everything that actually calls itself Witch Hazel:
Witch Hazel
14% Alcohol
14% Alcohol
Thayers:
Water
Aloe Vera
Glycerin
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (The actual Witch Hazel)
Citric Acid
Grapefruit seed extract
Vitamin E
Aloe Vera
Glycerin
Hamamelis Virginiana Extract (The actual Witch Hazel)
Citric Acid
Grapefruit seed extract
Vitamin E
As you can see, they are two quite different products. Thayers is more like an Aloe Vera product with some Witch Hazel "extract" further down the ingredient list, lower even than Glycerin.
A careful reading of the Thayers bottle will show that Thayers does not actually call itself Witch Hazel (noun) but rather a Witch Hazel (adjective) "formula", "toner", or some other noun depending on the actual Thayers product.
So, when someone asks for a recommendation of a good Witch Hazel, Thayers isn't officially in the running as an option and everything else is FDA regulated and pretty much the same thing. Most likely, all are from one or two of the actual sources and simply bottled and labeled as store brands. Note that the Humphrey's WH company has the same Connecticut address as Dickinson's and the same person is listed as their CEO.
Witch Hazel is an FDA approved remedy for a variety of conditions. Thayers is a cosmetic.
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I have; it does. The only difference that I can see between the generic stuff and Dickinson's is the nicer bottle and the price tag. "Witch Hazel" is classified as a drug by the FDA and as such may only consist of the distilled extract of the Hammamelis Virginiana plant and 14% alcohol. Therefore, the cheap stuff is exactly the same as anything else.
Bob is correct, though, about Thayers. It's not "Witch Hazel" the drug (thank you, ClubmanRob!), but many folks prefer it to straight WH because they don't like the smell. I think WH smells great, and so I save some cash and buy the generic stuff.
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- #11
Thanks for the feedback, guys!
I guess I'm just going to get the smallest bottle I can find of a store-brand WH and give it a try. If I see any possitive effects after using it for a while, I may then decide to get some Thayer's to check it out.
I guess I'm just going to get the smallest bottle I can find of a store-brand WH and give it a try. If I see any possitive effects after using it for a while, I may then decide to get some Thayer's to check it out.
Dickinson works very well, but it does smell bad to me. However the scent leaves as it evaporates. I do have a fondness for Thayers Rose, though.
I've been using the Dickson's from Wal-Mart. It doesn't smell the best but like someone said before, the smell dissipates a little as it evaporates. After my bottle of that ran out I got some Theyers cucumber non-alcohol and some peach with alcohol. I have to say I love them both. Give em a try. I'd say alcohol free first.
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- #14
Well, I got some plain ol' WH today from Wal-Mart and most of you were right, it stinks a little bit 
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It felt good and will definitely be part of my shaving routine, but I think I'm going to settle on some scented Thayer's instead.
.It felt good and will definitely be part of my shaving routine, but I think I'm going to settle on some scented Thayer's instead.
B
buyandhold2018
I use the Thayer's Original with alcohol and I like it; when it's done I may try the Lavender next. They definitely are a little more pricey than a real drugstore WH.
You can always spike the cheap witch hazel with some cologne or essential oil.
lavender.
go down to the health food store, if you have one, and sniff them all.
if you don't have one, get the lavender.
go down to the health food store, if you have one, and sniff them all.
if you don't have one, get the lavender.
i don't use it often but i like to keep a bottle of dickensons around. it has a little pour spout.
it has an off smell but it goes away quickly.
it has an off smell but it goes away quickly.
I use Dickinson's. I didn't really mind the smell after a couple of days. Of course, I have a smoker's dulled sense of smell, so that may have something to do with it. Either way, it's good stuff 
