Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent Review

Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent
3.2
/ 10
Moisturizing
6.3 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
Ingredients

Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent Ingredients

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Full Ingredient List (INCI):

Water, SD Alcohol 40-B, Glycerin, Fragrance, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citric Acid, Potassium Hydroxide
Review

Does Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent Work?

 
According to CreamScan's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent has to offer:
 
✅ Light moisturizing. It has a moisturizing rating of 3.2 out of 10.

  

Key Benefits of Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent:
 

🔵 Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizer Well-Suited for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent is lightly moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 3.2 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? Purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a high humectancy of 6.3 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is well-suited for oily skin, providing moderate hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

📌 Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

💧 A Humectant Enhancement for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant enhancement will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

📌 Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent

 
CreamScan identified a few things to consider before adding Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent to your skincare routine:
 

⚠️ If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

🟩 Pros:

✅ When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing well-suited for oily skin
✅ As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing enhancement, beneficial for any skin type
✅ Lightweight texture
 

⭕ Cons: 

⚠️ Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants
   

Summary: Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent

 
Based on the ingredient list analysis, CreamScan AI suggests that Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent
, when used alone, delivers lightweight, humectant-rich moisturizing that is well-suited for oily skin. As part of a moisturizing routine, it provides a humectant enhancement, beneficial for all skin types.
 
That said, there are some things about Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent worth noting.
 
Looking at its moisturizing profile, we found that it doesn’t contain any occlusive ingredients, potentially allowing the moisture attracted to the skin by humectants to evaporate. Therefore, if it’s used as the only moisturizer in a routine, it’s recommended to pair it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones.
 
📌 Fact check. At CreamScan, we are committed to accuracy and fairness. If you spot any errors or something that doesn’t seem right, please click here to let us know. We regularly update the ingredient lists and monitor the latest research on ingredient efficacy to ensure that our information remains as complete and precise as possible. The information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional advice. We do not guarantee the efficacy or safety of any product, as individual results may vary.

 

Ingredient Breakdown

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
85
6
4
1
1
1
1
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
SD Alcohol 40-B
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Fragrance
Function:
Origin:
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Function:
Origin:
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Caprylyl Glycol
Function:
Origin:
Ethylhexylglycerin
Function:
Origin:
Citric Acid
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
6.3
4
1
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
3.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 6.3 10
6.3
4
1
1
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
3.2
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
4
1
1
0.3
All humectants 6.3 10
6.3
All humectants
6.3
4
1
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
None
Total
0
None
Anti-wrinkle rating
0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
1
1
All antioxidants 2 3 No
All antioxidants
2
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
1
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
1
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
1
1
All soothing 2 5 No
All soothing
2
1
1
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %85
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
SD Alcohol 40-B
Est. %6
Function
Origin
SD Alcohol 40-BA natural ingredient containing a denaturant to discourage drinking.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Fragrance
Est. %1
Function
Origin
FragranceUnder trade secret law, manufacturers have the right not to disclose what exactly went into the fragrance and use the unspecific word Fragrance or Parfum instead. Many fragrances are highly allergenic.
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) ExtractAn extract obtained from the twigs and/or leaves of witch hazel. It is one of the oldest skincare remedies known to man. It is astringent and sebum regulating, meaning that it controls the amount of sebum that the skin produces.
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceA gelatinous juice from Aloe vera leaves that acts as a powerful humectant, emollient, and antioxidant. It contains enzymes, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that soothe irritated skin and have wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Caprylyl Glycol
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Caprylyl GlycolAn emollient that improves product spreadability and offers a silky feel on the skin. It also acts as a preservative booster that improves the efficacy of other preservatives. According to the manufacturer, it is also a humectant moisturizer.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
EthylhexylglycerinA preservative booster derived from glycerin. It is commonly paired with other preservatives to improve their efficacy. Ethylhexylglycerin is also a humectant due to its chemical base of glycerin.
Citric Acid
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Citric AcidA gently exfoliating AHA that helps to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. In comparison to other AHAs, citric acid has been shown to be one of the least effective. It is also very commonly used as a stabilizing and pH-controlling agent.
Potassium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Potassium HydroxideA very alkaline ingredient, meaning that it has a high pH. Potassium hydroxide is therefore useful in bringing a low pH in a cosmetic product up to a more neutral, skin-safe level.