Pure witch hazel question

I have a question for you gents. Does anyone use any 100% pure witch hazel as a toner?

Thayers is a great product but last time I made an order from iherb it took more than 6 weeks to arrive. Also, custom duties are high and I'm not willing to take the risk again. I found a high quality pure witch hazel at a good price here in Greece and I'm about to buy it.

My main question is if the pure witch hazel is sticky. If so, I won't enjoy it as much and I will probably look into some other solutions. Comparing to a Thayers how does a pure witch hazel perform? Do you feel any difference? Is it better?

Thayers witch hazel concentration is relatively low and contains other ingredients as well.

I got the answer I was looking for!

BTW, if you ever want thayers shipped faster, will gladly ship for you.  No way should take 2 months  just pm

(04-06-2019, 11:00 AM)DanLaw Wrote: BTW, if you ever want thayers shipped faster, will gladly ship for you.  No way should take 2 months  just pm

Thank you so much, Dan, for your kind offer. I truly appreciate it.

(04-06-2019, 02:21 AM)nikos.a Wrote: I have a question for you gents. Does anyone use any 100% pure witch hazel as a toner?

Thayers is a great product but last time I made an order from iherb it took more than 6 weeks to arrive. Also, custom duties are high and I'm not willing to take the risk again. I found a high quality pure witch hazel at a good price here in Greece and I'm about to buy it.

My main question is if the pure witch hazel is sticky. If so, I won't enjoy it as much and I will probably look into some other solutions. Comparing to a Thayers how does a pure witch hazel perform? Do you feel any difference? Is it better?

Thayers witch hazel concentration is relatively low and contains other ingredients as well.

I've been thinking about the same. I can't find any witch hazel (hamamelis) product available in the EU which does not also contain alcohol, i.e. similar to Thayers.
If nothing else, Nikos, perhaps you can start making and selling your own tonic

I’ve seen this available on Amazon in the US.

http://www.homesteadcompany.com/product_p/wh.htm

It is important to know that alcohol at 4% is a natural byproduct of the process that makes witch hazel. I assume removing the alcohol requires another step in the process, although the last thing anyone would call me is a chemist.

(04-06-2019, 12:16 PM)MntnMan62 Wrote: I’ve seen this available on Amazon in the US.

http://www.homesteadcompany.com/product_p/wh.htm

It is important to know that alcohol at 4% is a natural byproduct of the process that makes witch hazel.  I assume removing the alcohol requires another step in the process, although the last thing anyone would call me is a chemist.

Interesting, I did not know that. Thanks.

(04-06-2019, 12:03 PM)RazorSteve Wrote:

(04-06-2019, 02:21 AM)nikos.a Wrote: I have a question for you gents. Does anyone use any 100% pure witch hazel as a toner?

Thayers is a great product but last time I made an order from iherb it took more than 6 weeks to arrive. Also, custom duties are high and I'm not willing to take the risk again. I found a high quality pure witch hazel at a good price here in Greece and I'm about to buy it.

My main question is if the pure witch hazel is sticky. If so, I won't enjoy it as much and I will probably look into some other solutions. Comparing to a Thayers how does a pure witch hazel perform? Do you feel any difference? Is it better?

Thayers witch hazel concentration is relatively low and contains other ingredients as well.

I've been thinking about the same. I can't find any witch hazel (hamamelis) product available in the EU which does not also contain alcohol, i.e. similar to Thayers.
If nothing else, Nikos, perhaps you can start making and selling your own tonic

I always use Thayers before applying any lotion or balm. It does magnificent work. It's a magic product. My neck is a bit sensitive and witch hazel allows me to shave daily with no problems. I am about to finish the third bottle, so I was looking for a replacement the last days.

A friend on another forum suggested me to make my own mix with water or my favorite asl. Some others use it without mixing it.

I'll make my own mix with vapor distilled water, ethanol and pure witch hazel. I don't think I'll add any EO. I will make a large quantity, close to 1000 ml. This will last me for years. I'll be out of Greece for a few months starting in May and I'll take with me two small bottles along with some Gillette Guards, a synthetic brush, a La Toja and an Arko stick.

I read that pure witch hazel usually contains about 14% alcohol as a result of the process.

Steve, I'd be more than happy to send you a bottle, it's not expensive anyway, but the first thing they ask me at the post office every time I ship a package outside Greece is if it contains any liquid. The second question is about batteries. What can you say...

This one is magnificent.   No alcohol.  As good as witch hazel gets in my opinion.

This is an old photo.  I've run out and am just about to order more.  I keep it in the fridge, as per their recommendation.

I do make my own aftershave and in my mind it's worth it. Because I add alcohol anyway, 14% in the witch hazel doesn't seem to be a thing for me.

I just use generic witch hazel from the drugstore.  I have oily skin and like alcohol in any aftershave splash.