As you may well know, I've been on a skin care kick. It's involved a lot of research into raw ingredients and how my skin works with them.
One key base ingredient in the healing of skin is witch hazel - an astringent produced from boiling the leaves and bark of the witch hazel shrub with powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. This stuff is good for your skin. It helps with acne, bruises, swelling, and even an occasional ingrown toenail.
Pretty potent stuff, right? Well we can actually kick it up a notch by adding in some powerful herbal ingredients.
This astringent is rich in delightful ingredients:
Moisturizing and toning Rose Petals
Antiseptic and aromatherapeutic Jasmine Flowers
Elder Flowers, for detoxifying and brightening skin
Bee Pollen to soften skin
The healing power of Holy Basil
Lemon Verbena to reduce puffiness and stimulate circulation
Combine dried herbs in a jar. It should fill it up about half-way. I used equal amounts of each herb. Cover with witch hazel all the way to the top, leaving about an inch of room.
Place the steeping witch hazel in a cool cupboard for two weeks before straining out the herbs. The leftover liquid is herb-infused witch hazel ready for your astringent needs!
I should have stolen this out of your cabinet when I had the chance. Wait…what?
Even better – I’ll just make you some! Since you were there for this shoot, you know all my secrets. Uh oh…the mystery’s gone.
This is SUCH a great idea! Totally going to try this.
Trish
http://www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com
Ok…I’ve read through, a few times, but I don’t see where you list the measurements? I really like this idea and would like to try making it 🙂
Hi Alisa,
You’re right! I’ll edit that now 🙂
Hello! I’m curious as to what the shelf life would be for herbal infused witch hazel? If I want to make some of these as gifts for people, I don’t want them to be spoiling after a couple months. If it will only have a short shelf life, is there anything I can add to make it last 6 months to a year? Thank you!
If you keep it in a cool, dark cupboard, it could probably last at least a year!
I just discovered your website and love it. It speaks to me! I wanted to make this herbal witch hazel but cannot find the measurements. would you be able to add them to your post or email them to me? I saw that someone else had requested them too but I still can’t find them. Am I missing them? Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Hi Lisa,
You simply place the herbs in a jar of any size and fill it with witch hazel all the way to the top (leaving about an inch to the tippy top). I don’t give exact measurements because you will likely have a different sized jar from me. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the reply Becca. I just made some with a 12 oz bottle of Thayer’s Alcohol Free witch hazel. I used the herbs sparingly. I would say around 2 T each. I am glad I did because the 12 oz bottle doesn’t seem like enough as it is. It can’t wait for it to be ready! I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks for the inspiration.
Beautiful, Lisa! Let me know how it turns out 🙂
I really need to know do you heat the witch hazel? Plz reply to me at [email protected]