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Incorporating natural products into your skincare routine comes with many benefits; however, not all natural skincare products will offer the same benefits. So, it’s important to know what options are out there, and the advantages they each provide in order to select the one that best matches your skin’s needs.
Two commonly available natural products are forsythia and witch hazel, and many often think these are the same product. But, there are some key differences between forsythia vs witch hazel that will likely cause you to select one over the other in your daily skincare routine.
Continue reading through this guide as we discuss the major differences between witch hazel vs forsythia, and what each product is good for.
To begin our discussion on whether witch hazel or forsythia is better for skincare, let’s walk through the major differences between the two.
Just as when comparing micellar water vs witch hazel and witch hazel vs tea tree oil, you’ll see some similarities between both products, though there are some clear distinctions that set them apart from one another.
Let’s first do a quick dive into witch hazel, then we’ll discuss some of the more specific witch hazel skin benefits below.
The topical witch hazel product commonly used in skincare routines today comes from the witch hazel plant native to North America, Hamamelis virginiana. This plant has many different medicinal properties that people can benefit from, and throughout history, the plant’s leaves and bark have been distilled down into teas and ointments for use in folk medicine.
Today, witch hazel is largely used as a topical product for the skin, known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. But, some also use witch hazel on hair to promote growth and thickness.
People who learn how to use witch hazel on the face often choose between products like a witch hazel astringent vs toner, though a witch hazel spray is another common option. And if you’re wondering what is witch hazel spray, it’s simply a witch hazel solution that comes in a convenient spray bottle that allows for easy application on the face and body.
Forsythia suspensa, commonly known as the weeping forsythia fruit or golden-bell fruit, is a naturally-occurring shrub, recognizable by its bright and beautiful yellow blooms.
Forsythia has a number of practical uses aside from its botanical beauty, including for medicinal purposes, as we’ll discuss here in this guide. Forsythia was trusted by ancient Chinese for centuries, often used in herbal skin preparations, teas, extracts, and oils.
We will cover the benefits of using forsythia on the skin in more detail below, though it is commonly used to treat boils, skin infections, inflammation, and acne.
Now that you know a little bit more about each of these plants, let’s see how effective they each are when it comes to your possible skincare needs. So is witch hazel or forsythia a better option? We will now provide you with a clear answer.
Among the many benefits that witch hazel provides to the skin, its anti-inflammatory properties are a major advantage to users.
Due to the potent compounds found in the product like gallic acid and tannins, applying witch hazel to the face is effective at treating irritation and inflammation. This is particularly helpful to people who have sensitive skin, like eczema or psoriasis, as regular use of witch hazel can soothe irritated or inflamed skin.
Ancient Chinese medicine relied on forsythia partially for its anti-inflammatory properties, though this is mostly for internal use, not topically for the skin. However, forsythia has also been shown to treat allergic inflammatory disorders like Atopic dermatitis.
Both substances work similarly when it comes to their antioxidant properties. Forsythia and witch hazel have been shown to neutralize free radicals, which can work to prevent the skin from oxidative stress and premature aging.
So, those of us who want to brighten our skin and lessen the appearance of fine lines and aging can reach for both forsythia and witch hazel products.
Let’s now compare the two products when it comes to wound treatment. It appears as if both substances show antibacterial properties that can help treat wounds and skin irritations, though witch hazel seems to be much more effective.
Witch hazel can be used to relieve bleeding, itching, swelling, minor pain, and irritation. This is particularly helpful when applied to cuts, scrapes, and insect bites. Plus, witch hazel can even be used to treat hemorrhoids and herpes flare-ups.
Forsythia does have an antiseptic effect when treating boils and wounds, though the uses of witch hazel appear to be more versatile.
Forsythia does offer a light, floral scent, akin to honey. On the other hand, the scent found from pure witch hazel is much lighter.
For this reason, witch hazel is often infused with fragrances like citrus or rose to give it a more distinct aroma. However, forsythia has a much more pleasant scent naturally.
While we see the benefits that both witch hazel and forsythia can provide, we believe that one of the two is superior to the other, offering more scientifically-backed benefits to the skin.
For us, the clear winner is witch hazel. Especially when you’re using the top witch hazel products available, like Somebody’s witch hazel spray, you can use the product to easily treat skin conditions all over your body.
Using a centuries-old formulation, and available in fantastic aromas like rose, teafruit, and lavender, you can feel your best when using Somebody’s witch hazel spray. Our witch hazel is packed full of antioxidants and other potent compounds to heal and soothe the skin.
No matter which product you choose to add to your daily skincare routine, make sure you take note of some of the other helpful tips to help you get the most out of these products.
For instance, make sure you’re using fresh products to get the intended results. Many may wonder–does witch hazel expire? And the truth is that yes, it can! Since they are both natural products, there is an inherent shelf life that you should be aware of. If you use expired forsythia or witch hazel, you may notice a burning or stinging sensation, or the product may not offer any benefits at all.
Plus, you should always look for scientifically-backed and quality products. We know you don’t want to apply just anything to your face and skin, so make sure to do your research to ensure you’re using getting the best of the best.
Hopefully, this guide could help clear up some of the distinctions between witch hazel vs forsythia. As a powerful all-in-one skincare product, we see witch hazel as the better option, though they both offer their own benefits to users.
At Somebody, we want to help you elevate your entire wellness routine, from our witch hazel spray, all the way to our transdermal CBD patches for all-over pain relief, our CBD joint and muscle balm for targeted treatment, and other hydrosols for sale for even more benefits to your skin.
Head to Somebody today to find the best witch hazel to buy today, and check out all the other amazing products that we have to help you look and feel your best.
