Diminish under-eye puffiness Awesome, you woke up with puffy bags under your eyes. To perk up your peepers, beat 1 egg white and 1 teaspoon of witch hazel until foamy. Dab the mixture under your eyes and let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse off. The albumin in egg whites will temporarily tighten skin, while the anti-inflammatory witch hazel will help reduce puffiness.
Lift set-in bloodstains with ease You must have nicked your leg shaving, but you didn’t notice the bloodstain until your pants went the wash. To remove the stain, tie an elastic band around the discolored area to isolate it, then immerse the stain in witch hazel for about 30 minutes. Remove and rinse with cool water, then launder as usual. The alcohol and other solvents in witch hazel will break down and evaporate the proteins in blood, easily erasing the stain.
Shrink varicose veins If varicose veins have been making you feel achy and self-conscious, try this: Steep a couple washcloths in witch hazel, then wrap them around your problem areas after showering and let sit for 5 minutes. Witch hazel has astringent and vasoconstrictive properties that will temporarily lighten the appearance of varicose veins and reduce painful inflammation. MORE: 10 Brilliant Uses For Beer
Effortlessly remove sticker adhesive To get rid of the sticky residue stickers leave behind, saturate a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply it to the affected areas. Hold it firmly in place for 2 minutes (this will give the witch hazel time to dissolve the adhesive), then scrape gently with a spatula or another flat kitchen tool. The astringent properties in witch hazel will break down the stickers’ bonding agents for easy removal.
Rid photographs of fingerprints To erase smudges from your favorite vacation snapshots, pour a little witch hazel onto a cotton ball or soft cloth and gently wipe them away. The alcohol in the witch hazel will quickly lift and evaporate any oily residue from fingerprints. (Be sure to test a small corner first to ensure the finish stays intact.)
Make razor-burn bumps disappear No matter how gentle you are with the blade, you always develop razor burn around your bikini line. Witch hazel to the rescue! Dip a soft cloth into the liquid and apply it generously to the unsightly blemishes. The soothing antibacterial solution will reduce inflammation and redness so you can don a swimsuit with confidence.
Relieve poison ivy itch in seconds After walking in the woods, you sprouted a nasty-looking rash. For fast relief, soak a paper towel in witch hazel and dab the irritated areas as often as needed. The witch hazel’s astringent properties will draw out the allergy-causing urushiol oil from the poison ivy and help dry out the rash. Plus, its eugenol will act as a natural anesthetic to help soothe the itch.
Revive limp, greasy summer hairSummer really takes a toll on your hair. That’s because high temperatures prompt scalp glands to churn out more oil, resulting in a “dirty” look. The fast fix: once or twice a week, dab a solution of 1 part witch hazel to 10 parts water along your hairline and part after you shower. The witch hazel will dissolve grease on contact and reduce the amount of oil your scalp secretes, so your hair will look bouncy and fresh all day long.
Ensure Fido’s ears are squeaky clean During the hot and humid months, your furry pal often suffers from itchy, smelly ear infections. To keep his ears clean and fresh, moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with witch hazel and gently wipe the inside of his ears every other week. The liquid will loosen any waxy buildup so it comes off with ease.
Protect yourself from mosquitoes Keep mosquitos away by combining witch hazel and a few drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Spray this homemade mosquito repellent all over your arms and legs. The combination of scents will naturally repel bugs while masking other aromas that attract the critters, so you’ll be able to enjoy a bite-free night. MORE: 10 Brilliant Uses For Toothpicks
