What is the difference between Witch Hazel and Alcohol?
Witch hazel is an aqueous (water) extract from the Hamamalis virginiana plant; it is a pure plant extract that is free of any alcohol. Because Witch Hazel it an astringent in nature, it will cause closure of pores, contraction of blood vessels to decrease redness and is also anti-inflammatory due to it being cooling. Its astringent nature makes it mildly antibacterial as well. However Witch Hazel is not capable of causing dehydration as it does not leach water out of the cells (it is a water based extract). However alcohol has the potential to leach water out of cells, it is the very nature of alcohol (even the positive emotions/sensations associated with alcohol are due to this very reason).
Witch hazel is an aqueous (water) extract from the Hamamalis virginiana plant; it is a pure plant extract that is free of any alcohol. Because Witch Hazel it an astringent in nature, it will cause closure of pores, contraction of blood vessels to decrease redness and is also anti-inflammatory due to it being cooling. Its astringent nature makes it mildly antibacterial as well. However Witch Hazel is not capable of causing dehydration as it does not leach water out of the cells (it is a water based extract).