Witch Hazel

[MKL1980]

Hello guys,
I have a question, I saw on mantic 59's YouTube videos he says to wipe your face down with a cotton pad and witch hazel. I in such desperate needs of any type of change. I went out and bought some. And this is my second time using it. He says apply it then rince face in cold water to close pores. Then apply after shave.
My question is what does the witch hazel do ? Its not hurting nothing but just curious what's the point if it ? Does it condition the beard for next shave ? Any input would be great !!

Thanks
MKL

 

[shavervinnie]

Witch Hazel helps to clean the shave residue from your face and condition your skin. It's like an astringent. You can do a search in the forums and find many posts about all the different types of witch hazel. Opinions here vary widely.
I just do a few splashes of WH right on my face after shaving and let it air dry while I clean up my sink area. Then, I usually apply a small amount of aftershave balm (something with little-to-no scent). Finish up with cologne or EDT and I'm ready to go.

 

[SP120K]

I use it the same as Shavervinnie and have noticed my skin improving as days go on. I think it helps your skin heal up nicely.

 

[ackvil]

For me it takes care of minor nicks or irritation. I put some on my hands and gently rub onto my face and neck.

 

[Texas Don]

Witch Hazel is an astringent. You open the pores of your facial skin with hot water when you are softening your beard. Open pores are not necessary for a good shave, but it just happens when you use hot water. After you shave, you treat your face with a natural astringent such as witch hazel and it will close your pores so that they don't attract as much dirt and grime. Then rinse off the witch hazel with cold water and you're done.
It has nothing to do with setting up your beard for your next shave. I had better confess that everything I just said is information gleaned from shaving posts. I don't use witch hazel since I use an after shave with alcohol which does pretty much the same thing.

 

[Luc]

This might help: http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Witch_hazel

 

[FL shaver]

There must be some photographic evidence of the phenomenon of pores opening and closing...

 

[shecky]

Only ones I can find are NSFW.

 

[mblakele]

Some point out that pores aren't sphincters - that they don't open or close. If so, I suppose opening and closing pores only makes sense if you read "opening" as "clearing" and "closing" as "blocking". And shaving lather may block your pores, and witch hazel may clear them.

In Mantic's famous Vegas video he has a genteel discussion with the master barber about whether or not it's a good idea to put anything on your face before the cold rinse. Mantic likes witch hazel before the cold rinse, while the barber advises against it. On this point, I follow Mantic - but I have no data, only anecdotes. And that barber talks about pores opening and closing, so... who do we believe?

 

[troy1979]

I mix witch hazel 70% 30% bay rum for after shave.

 

[mandoman]

I use it after every shave

 

[BuddyRockefella]

i use medicated super witch hazel by thayers. i've noticed an improvement in my skin since i used it. i've read that it can also be used as a preshave cleanser too.

 

[Fairchild86]

[/QUOTE] In Mantic's famous Vegas video he has a genteel discussion with the master barber about whether or not it's a good idea to put anything on your face before the cold rinse. Mantic likes witch hazel before the cold rinse, while the barber advises against it. On this point, I follow Mantic - but I have no data, only anecdotes. And that barber talks about pores opening and closing, so... who do we believe?[/QUOTE]

I found this interesting
http://askville.amazon.com/pores-face-open-close/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=6939979

 

[DaveNJ74]

I was a little questionable about witch hazel at first but now I cant shave without it. I use it like this. I shave in the shower and after my cold water rinse of my face, I leave my face wet and a few mins out of the shower with the face still wet, I splash on the witch hazel leaving the face wet.
I let the witch hazel dry and absorb. I then put on by aftershave balm whent he face is dry.

 

[zameus]

Witch hazel is an astringent. Astringents aid in the relief of minor skin irritations like...uhm... shaving

Love my Thayers. Follow it up with some Speick after it's dried and I'm out the door ready to take on the world.

 

[internet]

I use always witchhazel. Great stuff!

 

[D/E Bob]

I take a new box of UNSCENTED baby wipes, and add about 10 ounces of Witch Hazel to them. I make sure they are fairly saturated. After I shave, I pop one out and wipe my face with it. No cotton balls or Witch Hazel all over the mirror. I keep a pack in the car as well, and when I get that greasy face feeling after a Pizza or similar lunch, or just as a refreshing pick-me up I pop one out and wipe my face with one. Been doing this for 23 years now, and still going strong. Oh, for some reason they work quite excellent on removing minor stains from your shirt, pants, car seat, etc. When I first started doing this 23 years ago my friends used to make fun of me. Now, when I am with the guys at the skeet range shooting sporting clays, the first thing they ask me after shooting is: "Hey Bob, got one of those wipes"?

My wife told me a long time ago to market these things, but now they have wipes for everything and anything! Oh well.........

D/E Bob

 

[thrown.clear]

Guys, the last thing in the world I want to do is gross anybody out, but this is important information: After a bout of diarrhea things can get extremely sore. You know what I mean.

A little Witch Hazel on a cotton ball or whatever... you will thank the Lord. Obviously, the Tucks people know about this, but not everybody knows about Tucks.

 

[D/E Bob]

Well I did not really want to mention it in my post above, but a bad bout with hemorrhoids (many years ago) is how I came upon the Witch Hazel soaked baby wipes! Trust me, they work very well. Hey, what can I say............. one good thing leads to another!

 

[SafetyManiac]

Maybe this sounds a little odd, but I'm having a tough time getting past its scent. I've only tried it twice but I find the scent offensive enough that I stopped using it because I'm concerned it will carry with me. Do all brands of Witch Hazel smell this bad or did I buy the cheap stuff and need to upgrade? I tried a different brand and they smelled alike. I'm guessing Witch Hazel is Witch Hazel. Any thoughts and/or direction would be appreciated.