Unlisted Brand • Drugstore Witch hazel • Toners

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*TOP REVIEWER* mmherman on 5/21/2013 1:02:00 PM more reviews by mmherman

Age: 25-29   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I don't really use toner, but when I tried using witch hazel I thought it did a good job. It didn't cause any extra acne to my acne prone skin and it really helped clean up the product that wasn't removed by my face wash. This also has a nice refreshing feel.


I don't tend to use it much as a toner. I will sporadically, but not daily....mostly out of laziness. I will use it sometime to clean off makeup when I am too lazy to go to the sink at the moment. It isn't super great as a face cleanser, but it is better than nothing.


What I have been using it for lately is to clean up my eyebrows after I apply self-tanner. I just apply it to a q-tip and rub it along my eyebrows back and forth. I also use it to clean up my finger nails so I don't ruin my manicure from the sunless tanner. I will also carefully add a few drops of this to my palms to clean up any tanner than mistaken made it on them. Note that I do wear gloves so I don't know how well this will clean up hands that were used to apply tanner....I wouldn't risk it personally.


Over all I enjoy witch hazel. It has a weird scent, but I have grown to sort of like it. It is super cheap and I would say something to try out. If you don't like it you really aren't out much.

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lolicious on 4/24/2013 11:49:00 PM more reviews by lolicious

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Medium, Neutral   Hair: Black, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

Wow, where has this product been all my life?! I've always used name brand toners and astringents and never felt too impressed by any of them so I didn't see the point. Some were too harsh and burned and I don't even have sensitive skin! When I found out about using plain old witch hazel I thought I'd give it a try. I bought a bottle from Wal-Mart for $1.44 This doesn't smell too great BUT, do you really want a fragranced or perfumed toner? I feel like that would just irritate my skin, so I can easily overlook it. Second, this product is so cooling and refreshing and leaves my skin feeling so clean! I use it twice a day after I wash my face and before my moisturizer. I will use this forever and ever. If you haven't tried this, what are you waiting for? It's cheap and sold everywhere so give it a go! Side note: T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel is the name brand but it's about $3 more and the ingredients are the same so I wouldn't bother.

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*TOP REVIEWER* Shampooaholic on 4/20/2013 9:37:00 PM more reviews by Shampooaholic

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Neutral   Hair: Blond, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

I use Olay witch hazel everytime I have a breakout (35 and still getting zits) it seems to make them better in a few short hours and completely gone in a day! It's super cheap, gentle, and doesn't dry my combination skin. I have used every acne, toner, medicine and nothing does as good as this!!!! Will never be without!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* RosePeacock on 9/11/2012 6:21:00 AM more reviews by RosePeacock

Age: 19-24   Skin: Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

I'm new to using Witch Hazel as a toner but so far I'm loving it. I bought my bottle from Home Bargains in the UK (the 'Care' brand) for just over a quid. I use 2 'tip-ups' of the bottle on a cotton round after washing my face in the morning and before bed. It leaves my oily skin feeling clean and refreshed. I've noticed that it's calmed down the redness in my face, which is great. I've also seen a reduction in spots and other blemishes. I have rosewater toner, but it hasn't impressed me as much as the Witch Hazel. If the good results continue then I'll keep on buying it. I also love that it comes in a glass bottle, I find it oddly satisfying for some strange reason!

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*TOP REVIEWER* dddoxie on 9/7/2012 3:15:00 PM more reviews by dddoxie

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Medium, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

Wow....just wow. I previously hated using toners because I felt like they didn't 'do' anything and I never saw any results. Plus, all the ones I tried before really stung and irritated my skin, so I wrote them all off completely, until I started to use WH.

It removes any excess makeup or dirt/oil and leaves my face feeling fresh and clean. No irritation or dryness whatsoever.

I can also tell that the texture and appearance of my skin has dramatically improved. My skin is soft, smooth and supple.

I will never be without it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* mmariecrys on 7/24/2012 12:48:00 PM more reviews by mmariecrys

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal, Dark, Warm   Hair: Brown, Relaxed, Coarse   Eyes: Brown    

Over the years I have attempted to use WH as a facial toner and it never worked for me-it would never absorb into my skin and would run off of my freshly scrubbed face like water. However just recently I ran out of my HG Pond’s makeup remover towellettes, and in a panicked state I grabbed a bottle of WH from underneath my bathroom sink, soaked a cotton ball and attempted to remove the day’s makeup from my face. What in the world! WH worked on my dirty face! I was so pleasantly surprised at how quickly the makeup and grime was completely removed with only one cotton ball. I went on to test my eye makeup, and it totally removed my mascara as well, no stinging! After each use I see an immediate improvement in tone and glow, while retaining moisture. So now I absolutely love my new $1 all-in-one makeup remover. (Also, I originally had the bottle to cleanse and soothe my underarm area when I began to perspire more during the summer-it immediately cleans, dries, and refreshes my very sensitive skin there.)

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

HealthLover on 7/7/2012 3:48:00 PM more reviews by HealthLover

Age: 18 & Under   Skin: Oily, Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

i love, love, love, love, love witch hazel!!! it's natural, cheap, great for toning large pores, (which means less oily skin!!!) helping breakouts heal, helping heal redness and helping with scars!!!. :D i use this after my warm shower in the morning by placing a cotton wool ball over the top of the bottle and tipping it upside down, i then wipe my face all over with the soaked cotton ball, it smells a bit but i don't mind because the smell goes after a bit. after using witch hazel for a week it has helped me with the redness in my breakouts and i am now spot free!!! I have also noticed my scars are smaller and healing faster aswell, which is a big problem for me because of squeezing my spots. like i said before I LOVE WITCH HAZEL!!! :D

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

RiskQn on 6/21/2012 12:19:00 PM more reviews by RiskQn

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

What can I say about this that hasn't already been said? Witch Hazel is amazing! I started using it 7 years ago when I was having bad breakouts, and a friend suggested I try using witch hazel as a toner. (I had never used a toner before.) She said it was cheap and natural, and that it was their secret to great skin....7 years later, I'm still using it! It IS dirt cheap AND natural! My skin loves it even if the formula has some alcohol in it. Surprisingly that doesn't bother my skin at all. The smell takes some time to get used to, but after 7 years, I've gotten used to it lol. I use it as a toner or I get xxlarge cleansing rounds and use witch hazel alone sometimes to cleanse my face at night when I'm lazy, Basically it is insanely versatile. I always get mine at walmart, usually the cheapest bottle is under $3. Try it if you're having a hard time with your skin or lackluster toner! I did, and I'm hooked! HG for me, haven't been without it in 7 years!

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silverslytherin on 6/17/2012 7:49:00 AM more reviews by silverslytherin

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair-Medium, Cool   Hair: Black, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Black    

I am sure witch hazel has its medical properties, but the pungent smell gave me a headache. I applied it on my face and eye bags but find it difficulty to breathe.

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MbMinx on 4/25/2012 11:59:00 AM more reviews by MbMinx

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Green    

I've been using this for several months as a toner and I really like it a lot. It's inexpensive, easy to buy and my skin likes it. It helps clean off any leftover makeup or sunscreen off my face. It gives me an anti-oxidant boost. It even seems to help my few breakouts heal faster. I thought that the 14% alcohol would be drying, but it's not at all. Not moisturizing, but definitely not drying. My skin is in great shape, and witch hazel is part of my solution.

I've also used it on bug bites - it helps with the itching. I've twice had cat bites that got infected and swelled up, and each time I used a witch hazel poutlice to bring down the swelling and inflammation. Not only is it good for my skin, it's good for my medicine cabinet.

It does have a smell...But it's rather have that than any sort of perfume. This is basic skin care at it's best, IMO.

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Lindt on 4/11/2012 1:31:00 AM more reviews by Lindt

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

EarthWise Witch Hazel - found in Canadian organic health stores

It can be quite hard to find, and pre-mixed brands such as Thayers just cannot compare. I get pimples now and then on my skin, not too severe but still annoying. Witch hazel is the only thing that works! Popular brands acne creams do not work, contain a ton of chemicals and can give side effects. With that said, witchhazel is all natural and it WORKS!

Pure witch hazel can be drying, so I combine it with rose water for added hydration (and wonderful smell) to use as a toner.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

*TOP REVIEWER* karissajean on 2/15/2012 6:27:00 PM more reviews by karissajean

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond, Wavy, Coarse   Eyes: Green    

Can't believe it's taken me 21 yrs of life to try this stuff. Witch hazel is amazing. It's extremely inexpensive, natural, and helps balance my skin by purifying and removing oil. I use it usually in the mornings, sometimes at night. I have a bottle of Safeway brand and it was 3-4 US dollars. Definitely going to try Thayer's next. I just take a clean cotton pad, tip the bottle upside down for a second and rub the product on my face. It only takes one pad, and one application. Quick and easy. Less than a minute of my time every day. Try it if you haven't already!

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*TOP REVIEWER* icaria on 1/28/2012 9:52:00 AM more reviews by icaria

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Green    

Where has this been all my life? I discoverd this on Skin Care Board. When I first read the comments about it I was a bit suspicious. How could a product so cheap be so good. Especially with an alcohol base. I've been stearing clear of alcohol for years & had just purshased Clinique's Mild Toner that I ended up not liking very much. Got the witch hazel & Boom! The best toner ever! Even with the alcohol base, it's not drying at all. I have combination skin & my DD who also uses it has more normal skin. True it could be drying or irritating for someone with dry/sensitive skin but you won't brake the bank trying it & it's good to keep in your first aid kit. At about $3 CAD, it's a very little investment. Keep in mind that a toner is not a necessity, but for those of us who are used to using one, this is a great option.

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an0uck on 12/20/2011 6:38:00 PM more reviews by an0uck

Age: 19-24   Skin: Dry, Fair, Neutral   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Green    

Not for everyone. Especially those with dry skin, stay away.
I tried the T.N. Dickinson's witch hazel, and at 14% alcohol it made my skin dry, tacky, rough and plasticy.
Perhaps witch hazel's properties would be best in some other product, but I think anything that it could do for someone's skin would be better off if it wasn't drowned in so much alcohol.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hags101 on 11/9/2011 9:05:00 PM more reviews by hags101

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Other    

Thought all witch hazel would be the same.... but I found the drugstore brand (Target, Walgreens, Walmart) to be more drying. I prefer Dickenson's brand witch hazel for only around $3 a 16oz bottle. I have found that I need to add a lot of water to the bottle or it dries out my (oily T zone, normal cheeks) skin.

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geniebelle6901 on 10/25/2011 12:10:00 PM more reviews by geniebelle6901

Age: 36-43   Skin: Very Oily, Fair, Cool   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I have been using witch hazel for years, and I love it. It's a great non-drying toner for my oily, acne-prone, sensitive skin. It also has many other uses:

* Cold witch hazel soaked cotton pads reduces eye puffiness
* Antiseptic for cuts, scrapes, bug bites, etc.
* Relieves sunburn pain
* Degreases oily hair
* Relieves scalp itch
* Relieves hemorrhoid itching/burning
* Relieves feminine itching (will not cure a yeast infection--only helps the itching)

I just get the generic drugstore/dollar store brand that's less than $2 and will keep buying it!

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

arosica on 6/23/2011 11:42:00 PM more reviews by arosica

Age: 25-29   Skin: Oily, Fair   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I love love love witch hazel. I do my own "three step system", with the witch hazel as toner. I use the generic brand from anywhere, I've bought from Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Rite Aid, where ever. I have acne prone skin, so when I open a new bottle, I put in about 25 drops of tea tree oil. When I tone, I shake well, apply to a cotton pad, and swipe over my face a few times. I have found this to work way better than any fancy astringent/toner. I have oily skin, and I find it works really well to remove the oil so I stay pretty matte throughout the day. I only use this in the morning - I have a little bit of a different night routine. But, I've used for years, and will continue to use since it's worked great for me.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.     Was this review helpful to you? Yes   No

rikiya on 5/8/2011 11:32:00 AM more reviews by rikiya

Age: 19-24   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I'm using Dickinson's Original Witch Hazel which I got from Wal Mart for around 7 or 8 bucks. It's ingredients are: All Natural Witch Hazel, containing Natural Alcohol 14% and Witch Hazel Extract. Previously I had used Distilled Witchhazel USP from the pharmacy whose ingredients were Witch Hazel, alcohol and distilled water.

Since both of them had the same ingredients I had assumed most Witch Hazel toners had to include alcohol but apparently I was wrong according to the reviews I've been reading. I haven't been able to find one without alcohol listed though, so I'll keep using Dickinson's for now.

Overall, it's a great toner. I use it in the morning after I wake up to prepare my face for make up and sometimes once again before I go to bed and randomly throughout the day to get rid of excess oil on my nose and forehead. It isn't drying, and my face feels so soft after using it. The large bottle has lasted me for a few months, and I use it multiple times a day. I haven't seen any noticeable effects concerning acne or scars, but my pores do seem smaller after use.

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Littleloti on 4/5/2011 12:19:00 AM more reviews by Littleloti

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

This stuff is amazing and my only regret is not using this sooner. I got this for $1.50 at Walmart and it's a big bottle so it will last awhile. My pores have never been so small and clear (especially on my nose, which has always had big pores). It makes my skin super soft and glowing. It does smell really bad, but that goes away when it dries. I've applied it both with a cotton ball and straight onto my face with my fingers (when I ran out of cotton balls), both work great. I will continue to repurchase!

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ElleDuncan on 4/3/2011 10:36:00 AM more reviews by ElleDuncan

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Blue    

I am using a homemade blend of de-bubbled perrier mineral water in a glass bottle with about half distilled witch hazel. I actually liked it better with the one I had with alcohol that I bought previously. Currently I am using alcohol-free distilled witch hazel and it's very weak, especially when I further diluted it with the mineral water.

Either way, it's cheaper than prepared brands, I can control what I put in it, make it stronger or weaker or add other things like Apple Cider Vinegar to it.

Great in the morning as a spritz (I keep some in a glass bottle with atomizer on it) after cleansing with yogurt or brown sugar scrub and it's great to set my makeup, too I discovered. I use with cotton pads at night to be sure all makeup is gone after cleansing and so far have not gotten worse skin, though can't say it's amazing...

Better than any store bought toner I have ever used though (and that includes LRP, Vichy, Chanel, Thayers, Dr Hauschka, and others for very bigger price tag.)

Summary: Witch Hazel is not all the same. Find one, experiment. It's cheap. ANd you can always use it as backup first aid supplies if you aren't happy. The stuff is excellent if you have kids / during summer burn/bug season.

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