Arielle Cruz
Alcohol and witch hazel are both used for their antiseptic properties, but do they have the same effectiveness? Witch hazel is a natural product derived from the witch hazel plant, which has been used for centuries to treat various health conditions. It has astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties and is often used in skincare products. On the other hand, alcohol is a well-known antiseptic with a large body of evidence supporting its effectiveness. It is commonly used in hospitals and is found in many commercial and DIY hand sanitizers. While witch hazel does contain some alcohol, typically around 14%, and has antimicrobial properties, experts say it is not a reliable disinfectant and should not be used as the sole germ-fighting ingredient in cleaning solutions. So, while both alcohol and witch hazel have antiseptic qualities, alcohol appears to be more effective in this regard.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Effectiveness as a disinfectant | Alcohol is a proven antiseptic with large evidence behind it. Witch hazel, on the other hand, is not an effective disinfectant on its own and should not be used as a substitute for proper disinfectant. |
| Skin benefits | Alcohol can be used as an antiseptic for minor cuts and wounds but can dry out the skin. Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties that can soothe the skin and relieve skin irritation. |
| Use cases | Alcohol is commonly used in medical settings for cleaning wounds and surfaces. Witch hazel is commonly used in skincare and cosmetic products, such as soaps, toners, aftershaves, and after-sun lotions. |
| Mixtures | Alcohol is often mixed with other ingredients to create hand sanitizers and cleaning solutions. Witch hazel is sometimes mixed with alcohol and other ingredients to create sanitizing agents and cleansers for the skin. |
| Safety | Alcohol can be effective in killing germs and viruses, including COVID-19, when used in hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol content. Witch hazel is generally recognized as safe and effective for relieving skin irritations caused by insect bites or minor scrapes and cuts. |
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What You'll Learn
Witch hazel is not an adequate substitute for proper disinfectant
While witch hazel has a wide variety of uses, it is not an adequate substitute for proper disinfectant. Witch hazel is often used in skincare and cosmetic products, such as soaps, toners, and aftershaves, due to its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. It is also used to treat skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis, as well as minor scrapes and cuts. Additionally, witch hazel can be used for household cleaning, such as cleaning window blinds, chrome fixtures, mirrors, and glass.
However, when it comes to disinfection, witch hazel falls short. While it may be included in commercially prepared or DIY hand sanitizers, its purpose is primarily to soothe the skin rather than to act as a germ-fighting agent. Infectious disease experts emphasize that there is no confirmatory evidence that witch hazel is effective as an antiseptic or disinfectant. The National Academy of Sciences specifically states that "there is no evidence that witch hazel destroys germs, including the novel coronavirus." Instead of relying on witch hazel for disinfection, experts recommend using products that contain ingredients such as bleach, water, hydrogen peroxide, or isopropyl alcohol, which are known to effectively neutralize germs.
The distinction between witch hazel and alcohol in terms of their antiseptic properties is important to note. Genuine witch hazel contains approximately 14% alcohol, which contributes to its antiseptic qualities. However, alcohol-free witch hazel products provide little to no antiseptic benefits. While witch hazel itself has some antimicrobial properties due to its tannin content, it is not sufficient for effective disinfection.
In summary, while witch hazel has its uses, it should not be relied upon as a substitute for proper disinfectant. For effective disinfection and germ-fighting capabilities, it is advisable to use products with proven antiseptic ingredients, such as those recommended by health organizations and infectious disease specialists.
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Witch hazel has anti-inflammatory properties
While alcohol is a proven antiseptic, witch hazel is not considered an adequate substitute for proper disinfectant. However, witch hazel has a variety of other uses due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Witch hazel is a water-based solution made with witch hazel extracts and often with added isopropyl alcohol. It is commonly found in commercially prepared hand sanitizers or DIY hand sanitizer recipes, but its inclusion is for its skin-soothing benefits rather than any germ-fighting abilities.
Witch hazel contains plant compounds like tannins and gallic acid that have anti-inflammatory properties. It also contains antioxidants that help prevent widespread inflammation and neutralize free radicals, which are disease-causing compounds that can build up in the body.
The anti-inflammatory effects of witch hazel have been observed in several studies. One study found that a lotion with 10% distilled witch hazel had anti-inflammatory effects on skin that had reddened after exposure to ultraviolet light (erythema). Another study of 72 people with moderately severe atopic eczema found that witch hazel cream helped reduce scaling, itching, and erythema after 1 week. Additionally, researchers studied 309 children and infants under the age of 12 with diaper dermatitis, minor skin injuries, or skin inflammation, and found that the treatment of witch hazel ointment was as safe and effective as dexpanthenol ointment in improving these skin issues.
Witch hazel is often used to treat skin conditions such as acne, scalp sensitivity, hemorrhoids, sunburn, insect bites, and minor scrapes and cuts. It can be applied directly to the skin or used in a bath to help soothe and relieve inflammation. It is also used in a variety of cosmetics and skincare products, such as soaps, toners, aftershaves, and after-sun lotions.
In summary, while alcohol and witch hazel do not share the same antiseptic properties, witch hazel exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that make it useful for treating various skin conditions.
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Alcohol is a proven antiseptic
Alcohol is effective against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. It is commonly used as a disinfectant for surfaces and skin, particularly before surgical procedures and injections. The most effective concentration of alcohol for penetrating the cell membrane is 70%, with higher concentrations evaporating too quickly and lower concentrations being insufficiently strong.
Ethanol, a type of alcohol, is often used as an antiseptic as it is safer and causes less skin irritation and pain. It is also used to dissolve water-insoluble medications and as an antimicrobial preservative in many liquid medicines.
Other types of alcohol used as antiseptics include isopropyl alcohol, which is widely used in pharmaceutical companies to avoid cross-contamination, and denatured alcohol, which has added toxic substances to prevent consumption.
While alcohol is a proven antiseptic, it is important to note that it has limitations and side effects. Alcohol does not contain typical ingredients found in one-step cleaner disinfectants, and its effectiveness can be reduced by the presence of organic soil. Additionally, alcohol can cause skin irritation and is flammable, requiring caution in use and storage.
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Witch hazel is often used in skincare products
Native Americans have used witch hazel infusions of leaves, twigs, or bark to treat health conditions for centuries. It is also commonly found in commercially prepared hand sanitizers or DIY hand sanitizer recipes for its skin-soothing benefits. However, witch hazel is not an adequate substitute for proper disinfectant. It should not be used as the single germ-fighting ingredient in DIY cleaning or sanitizing solutions.
Witch hazel is also used in household cleaning products. It can be used to remove grease stains from window blinds and to clean chrome fixtures, mirrors, or glass. It can also be used to mop vinyl, linoleum, and tile floors.
Witch hazel is a small tree or shrub native to eastern North America and Asia. It is made into a water-based solution with added isopropyl alcohol. Genuine Witch Hazel contains 14% alcohol and is considered a low-alcohol aftershave. It will provide some antiseptic qualities, but not as much as other aftershaves. Alcohol-free witch hazel provides little to no antiseptic qualities.
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Genuine Witch Hazel contains 14% alcohol
While witch hazel is often used for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties in skincare and home remedies, it is not a disinfectant. Witch hazel is a natural distillate made from the witch hazel plant through a steam distillation process. It is not a substitute for proper disinfectant, and it is included in commercially prepared hand sanitizers for its skin-soothing benefits rather than any germ-fighting properties. Infectious disease experts have stated that there is no evidence that witch hazel is an effective antiseptic or disinfectant.
Genuine witch hazel, as defined by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), contains pure, natural ethyl alcohol as a preservative. It is important to note that witch hazel is not alcohol, but some products may contain alcohol, while others are alcohol-free. The alcohol content in witch hazel contributes to its quick-drying property when used for cleaning surfaces.
The specific type of alcohol found in witch hazel is natural grain alcohol, and it typically constitutes 14% of the solution. This alcohol content provides witch hazel with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits, making it useful for acne-prone skin. Additionally, the alcohol in witch hazel enables it to dry quickly when applied to surfaces, eliminating the need for rinsing and leaving a streak-free shine.
While witch hazel with alcohol can provide benefits in certain contexts, it is important to consider skin sensitivity. For those who find that alcohol dries out their skin, alcohol-free formulations of witch hazel are available as an alternative option.
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Frequently asked questions
Witch hazel has antiseptic properties when it contains alcohol. However, it is not a reliable disinfectant and should not be used as the only germ-fighting ingredient in DIY cleaning or sanitizing solutions.
Alcohol is a proven antiseptic with large evidence behind it. For example, it is used on alcohol swabs in hospitals.
Witch hazel is not an effective disinfectant on its own. It should not be used to disinfect surfaces or as a substitute for proper disinfectant.
Alcohol is a disinfectant. It can be used to clean surfaces and as a hand sanitiser. However, it can dry out your skin, so apply hand cream after using alcohol as a hand sanitiser.
Yes, some products mix witch hazel with alcohol to cleanse and soothe the skin. For example, you can use witch hazel as a low-alcohol aftershave. However, if you are using witch hazel orally, seek out solutions that do not contain alcohol.
