what's the deal with witch hazel?

[emwolf]

you can get the water based witch hazel in the US, but it's usually at a premium. I bought a 16 oz bottle for around $20. It's a different scent, much sweeter than the sour commercial stuff with 14% alcohol, but they recommend refrigerating it since it can spoil.

 

[JVS]

'Bottled Witch-hazel water, widely available, is a steam distillate that does not contain the astringent tannins of the shrub'.

While it doesn't work well for me, the Thayers version isn't distilled like most witch hazel products* so probably is a better astringent for most people.

* Medical Attributes of Hamamelis virginiana - witch hazel