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Witch Hazel vs Tea Tree Oil: Which is Better for Acne, Cold Sores, etc.?

February 1, 2023 | Keval

Witch Hazel vs Tea Tree Oil

Finding the right skincare regimen can be a major task depending on your skin type. And with an endless amount of emerging trends today, it can be hard to sift through all the noise and not constantly want to overhaul your routine. 

After all, switching up your skincare routine can actually wreak havoc on people who already suffer from sensitive skin, so it’s important to do your research and actually know which products are a good match for you. 

Two of the most commonly discussed products in the skincare conversation are witch hazel and tea tree oil. But–the two products might not seem all that different to you, and you’re wondering if it even matters which one you choose to utilize.  

So, what are the major differences between witch hazel and tea tree oil, which one is better for your skin, and are there instances where you can use them together? Continue reading below as we finally settle the debate between witch hazel vs tea tree oil to give you the clarity you need for better skin. 

Witch Hazel vs Tea Tree Oil: Key Differences Explained

Just like you might be confused about the differences between witch hazel vs rubbing alcohol, micellar water vs witch hazel, and witch hazel astringent vs toner, clarifying what’s different between witch hazel and tea tree oil can also be a challenge. 

However, it is important to do so in order to select the product that will actually help improve your skin rather than harm it further. Let’s dive a little deeper into what sets the two apart. In fact, you might actually see how similar and complementary the two products are to each other.  

What is Witch Hazel?

Let’s begin by explaining what witch hazel is in a little more detail before we talk about the witch hazel benefits for skin, using witch hazel for hair, and other specific use cases for the product. 

Witch hazel is a naturally-occurring substance, coming from the witch hazel plant. The stems and bark from the plant are removed and distilled down into a liquid, which is then turned into a number of witch hazel products that we can use in our day-to-day lives. 

Witch hazel has astringent properties that tighten skin, reduce redness and irritation, shrink pores and blackheads, and more. 

Some may wonder that since it’s a natural product and works so effectively, does witch hazel burn when applied? But, you shouldn’t have to worry about that as long as you’re using a quality product and not expired witch hazel

What is Tea Tree Oil?

Now that we’ve covered what witch hazel is, discussing tea tree oil in more detail will give us some hints about the major differences between the two products. 

Another natural product, tea tree oil comes from the leaves of the tea tree that is native to southeast Australia. Through steam distillation, a liquid is formed that has been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. 

Many use tea tree oil topically today as a multipurpose skincare ingredient, and to treat a number of other conditions and ailments like lice, nail fungus, infections, bug bites, and more due to the presence of terpenin-4-ol

Users find that tea tree oil is very effective for people who struggle with very oily or acne-prone skin. 

Witch Hazel vs Tea Tree Oil: Which is Better for Certain Uses?

As you can see, each of these natural products appears to do wonders for treating a number of different ailments, but how do the two actually stack up against each other? 

Let’s take a look at which product is better in certain situations, starting with a comparison of tea tree oil vs witch hazel for acne and tea tree oil vs witch hazel for cold sores, among other common issues. 

Tea Tree Oil vs Witch Hazel for Acne

First up, let’s discuss which is better: tea tree oil vs witch hazel for acne. Many experts point out that learning how to use witch hazel on the face can be extremely beneficial to those with problem skin–both with prevention and treatment. 

This is mostly because witch hazel can actually prevent acne and breakouts from even occurring in the first place by neutralizing surface oils, killing bacteria on the face, and keeping them from spreading further. And when you already have acne breakouts, the anti-inflammatory nature of witch hazel can help diminish their look more quickly. 

On the other hand, tea tree oil, when distilled with water, works very similarly. As we discussed above, it also has antibacterial and antiseptic properties which can kill harmful acne-causing bacteria on the skin as witch hazel can. 

However, tea tree oil can be a bit harsher on the skin compared to witch hazel, so users will often space out their use of the product over a few days, and it often cannot be used without diluting it to some degree, unlike most witch hazel. 

Tea Tree Oil vs Witch Hazel for Cold Sores

You may also be curious about whether tea tree oil vs witch hazel for cold sores treatment is better. 

Again, given its antiseptic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, diluted tea tree oil is often a good at-home remedy for cold sores. This can bring down any swelling or puffiness, fight redness and irritation, and overall keep the area clean and free from infections. 

Witch hazel plays a similar role in treating cold sores, though with the added benefit of also soothing the area and keeping it moisturized. 

Many suggest only using tea tree oil on a cold sore once or twice a day so as to not cause additional irritation, though witch hazel doesn’t generally have this same problem. 

Other Uses for Witch Hazel

Besides treating acne and cold sores, there are a number of other uses for the product, including using witch hazel on hemorrhoids, bug bites, spider veins, razor bumps, and more. 

Plus, you can use witch hazel around the house like as a hand sanitizer, to promote hair growth, and as a general cleaning solution. 

How long witch hazel takes to work will depend on the purpose you’re using it for, which may vary widely since there are so many different uses for witch hazel that you can find!

Other Uses for Tea Tree Oil

There are other uses for tea tree oil as well, very similar to what you can use witch hazel for around the house and on your skin. 

Tea tree oil can be used as a hand sanitizer, a bug repellent, natural deodorant, an all-purpose cleaner, mouthwash, and more. 

So, Which is Better?

Now that we’ve reviewed the major differences between witch hazel and tea tree oil, and seen how they can be used on the body and around the house, it’s clear to see that there are many instances where either product would be effective. 

Given the certain situation, your personal preferences, and your skin type, some cases will call for the use of a witch hazel astringent spray, while others will be better suited for tea tree oil products. And if you’re wondering what is witch hazel spray–it’s simply witch hazel that comes in a convenient spray bottle for easy application to the body or face. 

Most of the time, it will be up to you to discern which product is the better fit in each scenario–as they’re actually quite similar. In fact, it may not even be a case of choosing one over the other–you may be able to take advantage of the benefits of each at the same time. 

Can You Use Tea Tree Oil and Witch Hazel Together?

Seeing how similar the two products are and that they both have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties, can you actually just use them together for even better results?

In most cases, the answer is yes

Using witch hazel and tea tree oil in tandem can often produce better results, taking the soothing benefits of the witch hazel and the powerful oil-neutralizing properties of tea tree oil in combination with all the other advantages of the two. 

Let’s take a look at how you can combine the two to create a powerful solution that can naturally treat a wide range of skin ailments and conditions, right from home. 

How to Mix Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil for a Powerful, Natural Beauty Blend

With the benefits of using witch hazel and tea tree oil so closely related, it only makes sense that combining the two would leave you with even better results. Many experts see using the two together as a winning combination–especially when it comes to skincare.

It can actually be quite simple to combine the two. In most cases, you’ll need to dilute tea tree oil into another oil or water before using it anyway. So instead, you can dilute a few drops of the product into a few ounces of witch hazel before applying. From there, you can use the solution as a spray, toner, or moisturizer for your face at the beginning or end of each day. 

Similarly, you can also put a few drops of the tea tree oil on a cotton ball or pad, then douse it with witch hazel before applying it to the face. Or, you can use a witch hazel toner on your face first, then follow up by applying some diluted tea tree oil afterward–it can be that simple!

Final Thoughts on Witch Hazel and Tea Tree Oil

So there you have it–when it comes to the debate between witch hazel vs tea tree oil, there is not one clear winner. 

Actually, the two products are very similar and can be used to treat a number of the same ailments and practical uses around the house. And for an even better beauty solution–you can combine the two for a powerhouse natural product. 

So when you’re looking for the best witch hazel to buy to combine with tea tree oil, you need to check out our selection here at Somebody. To get the best results, you need to find the witch hazel products with the best formulation, which you’ll never have to worry about with our products. 

Made with all-natural ingredients and available in an easy-to-use spray bottle and a number of fantastic scents, Somebody’s witch hazel is the key element that can round out your skincare regimen. Shop Somebody today to level up your wellness routine and feel the difference for yourself!

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