Let me tell you about the one skin care item that you need to use if you're behind the curve with your skin care:
WITCH HAZEL
Look at this simple but priceless product
Will it give you supernatural witch-like abilities? My statistics comprised of a single data point of me say no.
Will it turn you into a full-fledged herbalist? Maybe; I don't know how much free time you have.
Will it cleanse, soothe and treat your skin? You bet your irritated face it will.
If you're like me and you are beyond overwhelmed by the myriad of skin care products from creams to rubs to light masks, then this is potentially a foundational part of your newfound skin care routine.
Most products have a multi-step regimen that requires certain products to be used in a certain order to get the certain desired results. Witch hazel is a toner or astringent that many middle steps in large commercial processes are based upon.
Witch hazel is an astringent, which means that it contracts the skin, resulting in smaller/closed pores to prevent more dirt from seeping in and creating those all-too-familiar blemishes.
How does one use this? Simply adding a moderate amount, roughly ten drops if you need specifics, to a cotton ball or cotton pad, and gently wiping around your face before you go to sleep and after you wake up brings you that much closer to radiant skin without turning your bathroom into a tsunami zone.
No one washes their face like this, though we certainly tried when we were younger, much to the chagrin of our parents
Simply wiping down your face once over helps relieve your face of the oils and dirt that have built up on it overnight or during your busy day. The proof is on the cotton pad. While you can prelude the Witch hazel with a deep scrubbing face wash and follow up with creams, especially if you have severe acne, you don't need to. In most cases, the constant scrubbing of your face washes off necessary oils which dries your skin out more, resulting in more blemishes/ more severely irritated skin.
Skin is an amazing organ and does a lot to regulate itself, though it does need some help every once in a while. Witch hazel is gentle as it takes off the collected dirt and excess oil without drying your face out.
The best part? It is extremely easy to find and highly cost effective. Witch hazel can be found at large chain stores and local mom&pop shops, often for $5 or less for a large 32-ounce bottle, which can easily last for months on end. The most commonly found brand is T.N. Dickinson's, though there are a plethora of other brands out there to try.
Need more convincing? Witch hazel is the theatre kid's angel when it comes to theatre makeup. After cutting through that pancake makeup with cold cream, Witch hazel is the next most commonly found piece of skin care in an actor's arsenal of sanity.
I am for simplicity in my pursuit of clear skin. If this sounds like you, give Witch Hazel a try.
Happy cleaning!