Witch hazel, also known scientifically as Hamamelia virginiana, has been known to offer a number of health benefits, including treating insect bites and hemorrhoids as well as offering itch relief for insect bites and diaper rash. This may be hard to believe due to its slightly ominous name, but it is true. In fact, here are four reasons why witch hazel should become a part of your daily skin care routine:

1. Relieve Puffy, Tired Eyes

One of the most common skin care problems is puffy eyes. If you are almost certain that people at work are going to tell you that you look tired, then you need to remedy the problem before you head out the door. Luckily, when it comes to your puffy eyes, there is a quick and easy solution. Take a couple of cotton pads and soak them in witch hazel. Place them over your closed eyes for five to 10 minutes. As a natural astringent, witch hazel will help to reduce the baggage under your eyes while reducing the puffiness.

2. Treat Those Unsightly Varicose Veins

Due to the astringent tannins found within witch hazel, this solution can help reduce the appearance of varicose veins. With repeated use, it may even diminish them completely. It does this by reducing inflammation and constricting blood vessels. You will want to soak a cotton pad or ball in the witch hazel and place it on the spider vein several times a day for roughly five minutes until you are satisfied with the appearance – or lack – of the veins.

3. Heal Your Painful Bruises

A bruise occurs when blood vessels just beneath the skin are broken, resulting in leaking blood in the tissue. Although a bruise will heal on its own, you can easily speed up the process by using witch hazel. Witch hazel is able to help restore the damaged blood vessels while also minimizing the discoloration of the skin.

4. Rejuvenate Your Aging Skin

As you age, your skin is going to begin to wrinkle up and your age is going to be visible to others from your face. However, one study shows that witch hazel has the capability of eliminating and preventing wrinkles and other signs of aging. This appears to be due to the active-oxygen scavengers found within the extract. Plus, witch hazel can help to lock moisture in, while also working to tighten and reduce the size of pores, which leaves you with a face as smooth as a baby's behind!

When you are worried about the appearance of your skin, it may be time to consult with a dermatologist who can help you understand the causes of your skin irritations and help you come up with a solid treatment plan.

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