Meet Witch Hazel: The search for the best toner in town

For a very long time now I have been using Eskinol Naturals as part of my before-going-to-sleep regimen.  I use it to clean my face and remove excess dirt and oil which facial cleanser or soap cannot remove.  When I got sick recently, I missed this nightly routine (and totally missed washing my face) for two consecutive nights. And I noticed my skin became clearer and supple.  So when I got better, I totally let this routine go and just left the job of cleansing my face every day to good ‘ole Ivory Original (which is another story in probably another date on which I’ll talk about my on and off relationship with this floating soap).  With this act of abandoning my facial cleanser routine, my mom told me off and she reiterated that soap is never enough.  And so I surrendered without a fight to my mom’s (being my number one advisor on everything) theory on cleansing the face.

I thought of cleansers or toners that are not harsh, and would not leave my skin dry, red and painful.  Top of mind product? Celeteque.  I have seen it before in a department store and I recalled that label says alcohol-free.  I thought this is the perfect replacement to Eskinol.  So here I go again, sought help from thy world wide web.

I have read some reviews and forums and I have come across this term which I am definite I have never encountered in my life before – Witch Hazel.  Witch Hazel is a plant native to the North East with healing properties so powerful that the Native American’s used it as a topical healing solution as early as the 16^th century. Today some natural skin care products are extracted from the twigs and bark of the Witch Hazel Plant and distilled into a natural astringent that is still one of the gentlest ways to cleanse and tone the skin.

The particular brand I am eying is Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner.  This is the yellow one.  What attracted me is the claim that it is 100% Natural. I am an avid supporter of natural products. Many positive feedbacks have also been posted in forums.  It also has a small size (59 ml) for travels (and trials) which only costs PHP59.  The big bottle costs PHP200+.  So I searched its website and read everything about this new skin care product that I have discovered.  And immediately I have decided to give it a shot.  This product can only be bought at Healthy Options, which branches are conveniently scattered within my vicinity.  They have branches in Alabang Town Center, Rustan's Makati, Bonifacio High Street, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt Mall, SM City Manila, SM Megamall, Trinoma, Festival Supermall, Powerplant Mall, and many more.  View the complete list of branches nationwide, their contact numbers and exact locations inside the malls.You can call first to check if they have the product available. 

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Toner

Now I am already using the product and I find it really gentle and I did not have breakouts.  Hand in hand with my new BB cream, my skin is softer, smoother and clearer than before.  My skin just loves the combo. The greatest downfall would only be the smell which I have read in some reviews beforehand, tough did not change my decision to purchase.  It smells like an alcoholic drink.  As it is fragrance-free, it is the natural scent that I must have been smelling.  Though when your skin absorbs it, which would just be seconds after applying, the smell immediately neutralizes. 

I will use it for more weeks and see the results (also try if I can stand the smell, or better get used to it, for a long time).

If ever I decide to switch again, I will now revert back to plan A - Celeteque (which also has witch hazel, by the way). But as long as my skin (and stomach) finds comfort in Dickinson's, I think I will stick with this 100% natural toner made in USA.  ♥

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