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Witch Hazel vs Aloe Vera for Skin: Is One Better Than the Other, or Should You Mix Them?

March 4, 2023 | Keval

witch hazel vs aloe vera

When you’re looking to elevate your skincare routine and utilize more natural products, you may notice witch hazel and aloe vera as two commonly used options. Both are naturally-derived substances that offer a wealth of benefits when applied to the skin, but they aren’t exactly a direct substitute for one another. 

So, throughout this guide, we’ll discuss whether witch hazel vs aloe vera is better for the skin and if you can use them both at the same time for even better results. 

What is the Difference Between Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera?

If you’re interested in incorporating either of these products into your daily skincare routine, you should learn a little more about them and the benefits they offer first. Just as we have compared micellar water vs witch hazel, witch hazel vs salicylic acid, and witch hazel vs tea tree oil, we will do the same for witch hazel vs aloe vera. 

So, even though the two products can be quite similar, there are some differences to keep in mind since they do play very distinct roles when applied to the skin. 

What is Witch Hazel?

We will first take a deeper look at what witch hazel is before discussing whether witch hazel vs aloe vera for toner is a better option and provide you with other witch hazel skin benefits

Witch hazel is a shrub, specifically the Hamamelis virginiana plant that’s native to North America. While the plant has been used for a number of medicinal purposes throughout the years through teas and tinctures, there is the most scientific evidence of it being effective in treating skin conditions and using witch hazel on hair to promote growth. 

The stems and bark of the plant can be distilled down into a solution that is then applied topically to the skin for a number of reasons. We will discuss in more detail below why you’d want to learn how to use witch hazel on the face, though it’s commonly used as an astringent to tighten the shrink the pores and treat inflammation and irritation in the skin. 

What is Aloe Vera?

On the other hand, aloe vera that we apply topically to the skin comes directly from the Aloe vera species of plant. The gel from inside the leaves is extracted from the plant and is then either used on its own or incorporated into other skincare products. 

For centuries it has been touted as a natural remedy to a variety of ailments and skin conditions and is particularly known for its soothing properties. 

Witch Hazel vs Aloe Vera for Skin: Which is Better for Different Uses?

Now that you’ve learned a little bit more about each of these products, we can take a look at whether witch hazel vs aloe vera for skin is the better choice. 

Burns

Both products can be used to treat burns, though aloe vera is used much more often for this purpose because of the moisturizing and soothing effects it provides. 

Witch hazel can tame irritation and inflammation of burns through the tannins present in the substance. This makes it great when applied to minor chemical burns and razor burn. 

On the other hand, the gel extracted from the aloe vera plant is quite effective when applied to sunburns and other minor burns. For this reason, aloe vera is a common ingredient in commercial skin lotions and gels for sunburn treatments. 

The active compounds in aloe vera work to reduce pain and inflammation that are caused by burns, and can even stimulate repair and new skin cell growth, similar to witch hazel. Plus, aloe can be used as a moisturizer, which provides additional relief when applied to burns. 

Toner

Another common question when comparing the two is seeing whether witch hazel vs aloe vera for toner is better. Again, both products can be used for this purpose, though it appears as if witch hazel is more effective given its astringent properties. 

Using witch hazel as a toner is a good idea because it gently removes dirt, grime, makeup, and other buildup on the face to keep your skin clear and clean. Plus, the astringent properties tighten the skin, making the pores and blackheads shrink and appear smaller. 

Aloe vera can also tighten the skin when applied after cleansing the face. It provides great moisturizing properties, but it doesn’t get rid of oil and buildup as witch hazel does. 

Eczema & Psoriasis

Those who suffer from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may be able to find relief from using either aloe vera and witch hazel. 

The tannins present in witch hazel are effective at taming inflammation and irritation that is often caused by these conditions and provide some moisturizing relief to the area. Aloe vera is also very effective at hydrating and soothing inflamed areas of the skin and may provide better moisture than witch hazel depending on the formulation. 

General Skincare

Overall, witch hazel is a wonder product when used on the skin. Given how it removes dirt and grime, shrinks blackheads and pores, and calms inflammation, it’s great for anyone who suffers from sensitive skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, or those who want to clear up acne and blemishes. 

Aloe vera is also a great option for the skin, revered for its hydrating properties. This makes it highly effective at treating burns and locking in moisture for those who have dry skin. 

So, What’s the Verdict?

Both products are fantastic and offer great benefits when applied topically to the skin. While we see witch hazel as a more versatile product, you don’t necessarily have to choose one over the other. In fact, learning how to mix witch hazel and aloe vera may be a key solution to achieving the smooth, hydrated, and clear skin you’ve always wanted. 

Continue reading below as we explain how you can use Somebody’s witch hazel spray and aloe vera at the same time for a winning skincare combination. And if you’re wondering what is witch hazel spray, it’s an easy-to-use product where the witch hazel solution comes in a convenient spray bottle. 

Why Witch Hazel With Aloe Vera is a Good Mix

The good news is that you may not have to debate whether witch hazel vs aloe vera is a better fit for your skincare routine–you can probably use them both at once! Let’s take a look at why they make such a good pair. 

How to Mix Witch Hazel and Aloe Vera

So, since you can use witch hazel and aloe vera together, let’s go over some of the simple steps you can take to do this. After all, learning how to mix witch hazel and aloe vera isn’t too complicated, and is an easy way to get all the benefits that both products offer at once. 

The simplest way you can do this is to mist your face with a witch hazel spray first, then follow up with an aloe vera product for moisture. 

But, you can also make your own DIY concoction at home. You can do this by removing the gel from an aloe plant and mixing it together with a quality witch hazel solution, like the one you can find at Somebody, to create a soothing and moisturizing skincare product that you can use each day after cleansing your face. 

There are no concrete rules for combining these two products, so feel free to play around with the ratios to find the winning combination for your skin. 

Closing Thoughts on Witch Hazel vs Aloe Vera for Toner

Both aloe vera and witch hazel offer amazing benefits to those who add the products to their skincare routine. While witch hazel does more of the cleansing and inflammation-fighting, aloe vera is more moisturizing and soothing, making them a great pairing.  

Regardless of whether you use them separately or combine them, you need to find the best witch hazel to buy to get the best results. At Somebody, we have top-rated witch hazel products that use a formulation that’s been trusted for centuries to treat wounds, neutralize oils, and calm inflammation. 

At Somebody, we aim to help everyone take their wellness routine to the next level. So, you may also want to check out our other products like our transdermal CBD patches and CBD joint and muscle balm that can target and treat pain and aches throughout your body. Plus, we now have amazing hydrosols for sale that offer safe and gentle hydration for your skin. 

For all-around skincare solutions that are natural and backed by science, shop Somebody today. 

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