The second biggest highlight of my life in 2019 was to finally have clear skin. I had forgotten the feel of a smooth, non-bumpy skin even after burning dollars in beauty and chemist shops. But finally, just one product cleared my acne like magic. 😀
This is not a sponsored post. The post is based on my experience and what worked for me.
I had been struggling with acne for 4 years, even more maybe. The constant struggle to hide the scars, the new breakouts even after leading a fairly healthy lifestyle, using expensive products in hope that finally, something would click – I know many of you can feel the pain and frustration.
At one point I also tried to remove dairy from my diet, got rid of foundations (which is the only makeup item I used) and applied an ointment prescribed by a doctor. The ointment was effective in drying up the acne, but still, I would often get acne on my forehead and occasionally on the inner cheeks. Due to which I had to again use foundations to hide the marks left by acne.
Pregnancy wasn’t too kind on my skin too. And since I was pregnant, I stopped using the prescribed ointment and all makeup products, even lipsticks. I would just cleanse my face and apply a moisturizer with SPF. By the end of my pregnancy, my forehead had turned into a disaster zone. For 4 years, I was either trying to get rid of a pimple or trying to hide the mark left by a pimple.
The Solution
Then, last year in April, a few weeks after the delivery of my baby, I came across Witch Hazel while looking for solutions to heal episiotomy stitches. Yeah I know, it’s completely unrelated. But while researching about Witch Hazel, I learned about its anti-inflammatory properties and how it helped many consumers to get rid of their acne as well.
I bought the below Witch Hazel Toner from Chemist Warehouse and started using it regularly. Initially, I didn’t see any difference. The scars and acne were still there, stubborn as ever. And then, after about a month, my husband complimented that my skin looked better. I thought he was just trying to make me feel better. 2 months later, I realized that I hadn’t had any new acne on my face. And the old ones were gone too. I continued using it once a day. After another month, the old dark spots on my forehead had started fading too. I know this because I always used a filter to take my selfies. By 4th month my skin was so clear that I no longer needed any filter to hide dark spots.
This is how my skin looks today, no makeup – just a moisturizer. Ignore the dark circles. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in 9 months. 🙂
How to apply Witch Hazel Toner
- Cleanse – I use my homemade melt-and-pour soap to wash my face.
- Dab a little Witch Hazel Toner on cotton and apply it across your face. I don’t use cotton all the time. Since my hands are clean after washing my face, I directly pour it into my hand and lightly dab it on my face.
- Let it dry.
- Apply moisturizer.
- If you want to include a face mask in your routine, then use it after cleansing and before applying the toner.
Now that my skin is fairly blemish-free, I don’t use the toner everyday. I have reduced the usage to 2-3 times a week.
Before-After
Skincare tips
I don’t like to have an elaborate skincare routine. I do not even use makeup. I have a combination and sensitive skin type that tends to get extremely dry in winters. For the past few years, I have been using Olay moisturizer with SPF for sensitive skin. Recently, I added Neutrogena Hydro Boost Night Concentrate to my nighttime routine.
Love both these products. I don’t get enough time to apply face masks these days, but if I do then they are prepared from natural items available in the kitchen like Chickpea flour, turmeric powder, milk, honey, and lemon.
Apart from that, I drink a lot of water, maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly and never let the sweat dry on my skin.
Note that while trying out Witch Hazel, I didn’t use any other anti-acne products. Also, I was subjected to very low to no air pollution as I was on maternity leave.
I have already suggested this product to my friend and sister as well. My friend told me that it works fine in dry weather, but she still gets acne when humidity is high.
Related Post:
If you want to know more about the ointment that dried up my acne – read this post about how I tried to find the reason behind my acne.
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Wow, your skin looks so clear in the after pictures. I have been trying to get rid of my acne but that does not seem to be happening. It has reduced, but ever so often a new one pops out. Will consider giving this product a try.
Thank you so much for this! I don’t use any make up on my face, just talcum powder after I apply my Nivea soft cream. Even then my face is covered with pimples and black spots from old pimples. It is mostly hormonal, I think. But I will try this and see if it helps me too!
Your face looks so clear. Touchwood.
It looks like a good product as it shows how wondeerfully it has worked for you. I suffered from acne in 2017 which took more than a year to clear up and have left marks all over my face. I will look up the toner on Amazon and begin using it. I will let you know if it works for me in a few months.
Wow, Rajlakshmi? Just old-fashioned Witch Hazel? That’s amazing! Your skin looks stunning!
Our 15-year-old daughter has just been a similar experience, trying all sorts of products. She landed up at the dermatologist and he recommended Roaccutane.
She debated for ages whether to go on it or not because of the potential side effects but decided to try it because nothing else has worked for her.
Wow! Sounds like a miracle product. The difference in your skin is amazing!
Wow, this seems like a fantastic product. I haven’t had face acne, but more recently have been experiencing back acne. So I am definitely going to check out Witch Hazel. Thank you so much for sharing, Raj.
I’ve read about witch hazel, Raj. How wonderful it is working for you (I am sure it will continue to!) The difference is remarkable. I like what you said about drinking water, maintaining a healthy diet, exercise–not letting sweat dry on the skin is a great tip. I know many people who are not aware of that. Of course, sleep also helps, but I dare not say that to you now, not with little Bubs listening. Neutrogena is a great brand, I’ve heard.
Wow! Your skin is totally clear and free from blemishes and acne. What a fab product. Am checking it out on Amazon right away. I have a lot of blemishes and acne keep erupting every now and then …. Will definitely try Witch Hazel Toner. Thanks for sharing about it, Raj!
Looks useful. Glad that it suited you!
Your skin looks amazing and I am totally zapped to see the scars gone too. I am going to try this one for myself too. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and the product too Raj.
Wow! That’s amazing! Such difference in the skin! I am glad you found what you needed, Raj. 🙂
wow it seems like a promising product if it helps in reducing the post acne scaring and pigmentation in 4 months. i’ve recently started having hyperpigmented patches on my face and got very scared that finally age is catching on with me. i’ll try it out to see if it helps me too. Thanks for sharing it with us
Thankfully, the pimples didn’t leave any pits, so they went away. Hope this helps you. Good luck.
That’s really good. I’m glad you found something that works for you. I’m sure it will be good information for a lot of people.
I really hope this will continue to work 😀
Oh I completely feel you! I’ve been struggling with awful skin all my life. And since I’ve became pregnant with my daughter my skin cleared up and was radiant! Then when my period returned I started getting pimples again. But not to jynx myself it’s still clear and I’m so so thankful !!!
That’s great. Hope the stint continues. 😊 Skincare can sometimes stress one out so much.
Sounds like a miracle product. Mercifully I never had acne but the children are now getting into that stage and H has enough of them to get me worried. I checked Amazon and they have a range of Witch Hazel toners from multiple brands. That is confusing, specially because I have no experience. You think any brand will work?
You can try one without alcohol as it will have more concentration of Witch Hazel and will be more natural. Teenage acne is so frustrating. My husband had a terrible case of it when he was younger. Only a prescription medicine from doctor was able to dry them out. Didn’t actually prevent them from occuring as it was due to hormones, but made it more manageable. Hope this helps H.
Thanks Raj. I’ll check.