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Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2018, 21(2): 139-144pl  Cosmetic use of witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)Jacek Arct 1,2/, Katarzyna Pytkowska 1,2/, Sergiusz Dzierzgowski 1/, Marlena Neofitna 1/ 1/ Wydział Kosmetologii, Wyższa Szkoła Zawodowa Kosmetyki i Pielęgnacji Zdrowia w Warszawie 2/ Akademicy sp. z o.o. Summary Witch hazel has been used in medicine and cosmetology for many years. It contains numerous active substances, the most important of which are tannins, both flavonoid derivatives and hydrolysing derivatives of gallic acid. Due to the presence of these compounds, witch hazel has a wide spectrum of activity. Extracts and distillates of witch hazel have astringent properties, soothe irritations, are bacteriostatic, improve blood supply to tissues. Witch hazel preparations are used in cosmetics for the care of the skin and mucous membranes and in hair shampoos. Witch hazel is an underestimated raw material, the biological activity of the compounds it contains is not fully understood and requires further research. Key words: witch hazel, tannins, skin, cosmetics, natural extracts, astringent, inflammation |