Your Ticket to Glowing Skin: Witch Hazel

You know that old saying "mom knows best"?  Yeah, well we all know it's true for so many reasons - and this is no exception.  She's been pushing witch hazel on me for a while now, and I finally remembered to pick some up while grocery shopping a few weeks ago - and OHMYGOD how have I lived without it for so long?!

Right again, Mushy!I've recently made the decision to stop taking the pill (it was a long time coming) and my skin has been having an absolute field day trying to adjust to my whacked-out hormone levels. My chin and forehead especially have been going wild.  It's been SO FUN.

Anyway, I found these handy-dandy little astringent pads in the beauty aisle at Whole Foods (you can also get the straight-up liquid version, but I'm all about low maintenance and efficiency) and my skin is forever changed.  It's super soft, hydrated, and glowy -  it's also been going to work on various patches of breakouts - what more could a girl ask for?

I've been using them in place of a toner (I never used a toner before - whoops) for a couple of weeks now, and it's like I had a skin transplant.

Each morning/night I've been washing my face as normal with my cleanser - and then I'll grab a witch hazel pad and rub it in circles all over my face, neck and upper chest afterwards.

I love the texture of the pads because they give a nice, gentle little exfoliation action as well.  You wouldn't believe the stuff these babies suck out of my pores after I think I've washed my skin to a squeaky-clean level of cleanliness.

Here's a quick snapshot of what witch hazel can do for YOU:

Witch hazel is extracted from a flowering shrub, and is a powerful astringent and antioxidant, a.k.a. your skin's best friend.  It's not called "golden treasure" for nothing!

It's amazing when dealing with acne, eczema, and psoriasis.  I have dealt with eczema on and off for years - I'll be sure to report back if/when I get a patch again to let you know how it works.

Also, the tannins in witch hazel slurp up the extra oil from your skin, leaving your pores squeaky clean (and removing blackheads).

It has magical skin-tightening powers, due to its ability to shrink blood vessels, making it a great tool for dealing with varicose veins, puffiness under eyes, and hemorrhoids.

Last but most certainly not least, the anti-inflammatory benefits of witch hazel help soothe the skin after too much sun or wind, bug bites, bruises and rashes.  It's also antibacterial, which helps with treating infections and minor cuts.

If you haven't tried it out before and you're experiencing any of the above issues - try it out and let me know how it goes for you in the comments below!  I have a pretty good feeling you're going to hop on board the witch hazel love fest immediately after using it.

Here's to natural, inexpensive remedies and glowing skin!