Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) flower water
AKA “Witch Hazel Flower Water
Water
Ingredient Facts
Hamamelis virginiana (Witch Hazel) flower water
AKA: Witch Hazel Flower Water
Water · Soothing · EWG: 4
Plant-Derived
Soothing
Astringent
Skin Conditioner
Hair Care
Not Clean
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water is a cosmetic ingredient used as astringent, hair conditioning, skin conditioning. Assessed as safe by the CIR.
Family
Hamamelidaceae (Witch hazel family)
Plant Part
Flower
Lifeform
Shrub
Climate
Temperate
CAS #
84696-19-5
Form
Liquid
See origin →
Functions
Astringent
Tightens and contracts skin tissue, temporarily shrinking pores and reducing oiliness. That "clean, tight" feeling after toner.
Hair Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Soothing
Calms redness, irritation, and inflammation. Your skin's chill pill — great for sensitive, reactive, or post-procedure skin.
Soothes Skin
Traditional Use
The hydrosol or flower water of witch hazel has been used since the 19th century as a gentle astringent and skin toner, derived from the same plant used by Native Americans.
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
Oiliness
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not an Irritant
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Final Report: Safety Assessment of <I>Hamamelis virginiana</I> (Witch Hazel)-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel
International Journal of Toxicology
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Leaf/Twig Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Bark/Twig Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Flower Water
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Water
European Commission
EU Cosmetic Ingredient Database (CosIng)
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Hamamelis Virginiana Witch Hazel Water
Environmental Working Group (EWG)
EWG Skin Deep Cosmetics Database
Unveiling the Ability of Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana L.) Bark Extract to Impair Keratinocyte Inflammatory Cascade Typical of Atopic Eczema.
Piazza S, Martinelli G, Magnavacca A, Fumagalli M, Pozzoli C et al.
International journal of molecular sciences, 2022
Highly galloylated tannin fractions from witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) bark: electron transfer capacity, in vitro antioxidant activity, and effec
Touriño S, Lizárraga D, Carreras A, Lorenzo S, Ugartondo V et al.
Chemical research in toxicology, 2008
Verified Jun 2026
Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR