Astringents and skin toners have been around for nearly two centuries. Witch hazel extract-based toners are mainly known for their skin-tightening, lightening, soothing, and moisturizing effects. However, traditional witch hazel toners often contained a high amount of ethanol alcohol. This regularly received negative remarks for causing skin dryness, irritation, and inflammation.
Times changed. Technology improved, and with it, the formulation of skincare toners evolved. A massive wave of change came with a company called Thayers. They mastered the technique of making alcohol-free, paraben-free skin toners that are highly effective yet gentle, even on sensitive skin. Seemingly overnight, Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel toner exploded in popularity online. People were raving about it! And you know the power and reach of social media; it takes only a few minutes for something to go viral.
Everyone was using it, including my co-workers, friends, and cousins. Seeing the immense popularity, I was tempted to see what all the fuss was about. Plus, it was inexpensive! So I went ahead and bought it.
Want to know if the product lives up to the hype or if it’s just another internet fad? You’ll get answers to all your questions by the end of this article. But first, let me give you a quick overview.
Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel Toner – Overview
This skin toner from Thayers is completely alcohol-free and formulated without harsh chemicals like parabens and propylene glycol. It’s a gentle formula that contains natural ingredients like undistilled witch hazel extract, aloe vera, and rose-petal water.
It has a sweet and soothing rose scent. It’s also enriched with a Vitamin C derivative to support collagen production, neutralize free radicals, and restore your skin’s natural glow.
The core ingredient of this toner is witch hazel, a natural astringent derived from the leaves and bark of the North American plant Hamamelis Virginiana. Erin Gilbert, director of Gilbert Dermatology in Brooklyn, New York, explains that cosmetic-grade witch hazel extract “…has several skin benefits, including being soothing, acting as an anti-inflammatory, and having antioxidant properties.”
Thayers witch hazel toner works wonders for acne-prone skin. It helps address oily skin concerns like pimples, blemishes, and blackheads by removing excess oil.
Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, comments, “It’s commonly used as a means of removing excess oil from the skin, so it can be especially useful in people struggling with acne.”
However, witch hazel can sometimes dry the skin. To counter this, Thayers includes aloe vera, which hydrates the skin by locking in essential moisture. The natural oil present in rose-petal water helps to soothe and refresh the skin.
Key Ingredients:
- (Listed in approximate order of concentration)
- Purified water
- Undistilled witch hazel extract
- Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
- Glycerin
- Rosa Centifolia (Rose) flower water
- Vitamin C extract
- Citric acid
- Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) seed extract
- Natural rose fragrance
How Does Thayers Witch Hazel Toner Work?
Many other witch hazel brands use alcohol to cleanse pores and control sebum (skin oil) production. They distill the witch hazel extract using 14%-15% denatured ethanol alcohol. This concentration of alcohol can cause severe skin irritation, dryness, and inflammation, even at lower percentages (source needed). If you have allergic and acne-prone skin, an alcohol-based toner may do more harm than good.
What makes Thayer’s Rose Petal Witch Hazel toner stand out is that it’s alcohol-free. Thayers uses only purified water to make their concentrated witch hazel water. This concentration also contains tannins and polyphenols.
Witch hazel’s astringent properties come from tannins, which help to remove excess oil from your skin and control sebum production. Applying this toner can help you manage oiliness, acne, blemishes, and other related concerns.
Additionally, it contains polyphenols and methyl gallate ester that may strengthen skin cells and reduce free radical production. This can contribute to firmer, tighter, younger-looking, and glowing skin.
To further combat the signs of aging, the formula includes a Vitamin C derivative that may help support collagen production. Vitamin C is a free radical scavenger that can help slow down the skin’s aging process.
Both witch hazel and aloe vera extract have excellent anti-inflammatory properties, which is why many users report a calming and cooling effect. It can help to eliminate itchiness, redness, and inflammation.
Top 6 Benefits of Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
Here are some of the benefits of Thayer’s witch hazel toner:
1. Fights Acne
Acne is a common skin condition characterized by inflammation. Reducing skin irritation is crucial for managing acne. The combination of witch hazel extract, rose-petal water, and aloe vera helps protect your skin against inflammation and redness.
The astringent properties of witch hazel help to tighten pores, offering relief from itching, redness, and burning sensations, says Los Angeles-based dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, MD.
Thayers skin toner combats acne in two other ways:
- Absorbs excess oil: Clogged pores and excess sebum production trigger acne breakouts. Witch hazel, being an astringent, removes excess oil and helps shrink pores.
- Inhibits acne-causing bacteria: Excess sebum production promotes the growth of P. acnes bacteria, a major contributor to acne and pimples. According to Debra Jaliman, MD, the author of Skin Rules, tannins in witch hazel have antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of this bacteria.
2. Minimizes the Signs of Aging
Loss of skin elasticity and wrinkles are two of the most prominent signs of aging. The Vitamin C derivative in Thayers toner may help support collagen production and contribute to maintaining healthy hyaluronic acid levels. This can rejuvenate skin cells, making your skin firmer and healthier.
While it won’t reverse aging, it can contribute to healthier, more youthful-looking skin.
3. May Help Protect Against Skin Damage
Tannins and polyphenols—two natural plant compounds found in witch hazel—are high in antioxidants. Some studies suggest that witch hazel may help protect against environmental damage caused by UV radiation, pollution, and other irritants.
A few drops of Thayers witch hazel toner create a protective barrier. The combination of aloe vera and witch hazel may also soothe sunburns due to its cooling effect.
It’s important to note that this does not replace the need for sunscreen.
4. Reduces Puffiness Under the Eyes
Many skin toners are not recommended for use around the eyes due to their high alcohol content. However, this blend is alcohol-free. This formula can be gently applied around the eyes to help reduce puffiness caused by fluid retention. If puffiness is caused by aging, it may not be as effective.
5. May Offer Relief from Insect Bites
Some users have reported relief from bug bites after applying this toner. This is likely due to the anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties of witch hazel and aloe vera.
6. Works as a Cleanser and Light Make-up Remover
This water-soluble toner can be used as a gentle skin cleanser. It doesn’t irritate sensitive skin and leaves my face feeling clean and smooth. It can effectively remove light makeup but is not designed for heavy or long-lasting makeup.
Important Note: Many of the benefits of witch hazel are anecdotal. More research is needed to confirm its long-term effects on various skin conditions. While it can be an excellent short-term remedy for common skin concerns, it’s not a guaranteed solution for severe skin problems.
My Experience with Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
I’ve struggled with acne breakouts all my life. I started using this toner hoping it would help reduce the inflamed pimples on my face. I’m writing this review after four weeks of use.
To be honest, I didn’t notice any difference in the first week. I was using it as a cleanser to help my other skincare products absorb better.
During week 2, my skin felt less oily. My roommate even complimented me, saying my face was glowing!
By week 3, I also noticed the glow. It felt great! The size of my blemishes decreased, and they appeared less red.
Week 4 hasn’t been drastically different from week 3. The best part is that I haven’t had any new breakouts in the last four weeks, which I consider a success! It also didn’t cause any itching or burning sensations like the alcohol-based toners I used before.
In summary, it doesn’t work overnight. You need to be patient to see results. It didn’t irritate my sensitive, allergy-prone skin or cause new breakouts. I feel more confident about my appearance, and that’s what matters. I will keep using it.
How to Use Thayers Witch Hazel Toner
Always test a new skincare product on a small patch of skin before applying it to your entire face. If you don’t experience any allergies or breakouts, follow these steps:
- Wash your face with water and pat it dry with a towel.
- Apply the toner to a cotton pad and gently sweep it across your face and neck, avoiding the eye area.
- If you’re using a moisturizer afterward, allow the toner to dry completely.
- Use it once or twice daily. Avoid overuse, as it could dry your skin.
Possible Side Effects
While Thayers Witch Hazel Toner is generally well-tolerated, some individuals may experience redness, itching, or irritation. Everyone’s skin reacts differently to skincare products. Patch testing is always recommended.
If you have a severe fragrance allergy, this might not be the best option for you. Although the manufacturer states that they use only natural fragrances, this may still be a concern for some.
Pros & Cons
What I Loved About It:
- Unlike alcohol-based toners, it doesn’t dry out the skin.
- Ideal for oily and combination skin.
- Gently cleanses dirt, grime, and light makeup.
- Gradually reduces the size of acne.
- Reduces skin redness and soothes itchiness.
- Leaves my skin feeling balanced and looking brighter.
- Affordable.
What I Didn’t Like About It:
- Although I don’t have a fragrance allergy, I would have preferred it unscented.
- May trigger rashes or breakouts in those with extremely sensitive skin.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a gentle, alcohol-free toner, Thayers Witch Hazel Toner is worth considering. However, a patch test is always recommended, especially for sensitive skin.
It’s a much better alternative to the harsh, alcohol-based toners I used in the past. The overall effect is pleasing, making this toner a good value for money.
