When you say anything about “witch” during the month of October, you are sure to have your listener immediately think of broomsticks and black hats. But when talking about a plant extract, it means a completely different thing beyond thoughts of what may be boiling in a big black pot over a fire.
Witch hazel is an extract from the leaves, flowers, and bark of the witch hazel (hamamelis virginiana) tree. It is one of nature’s best astringents, and there is probably no better tonic or toner for skincare preparations. It is frequently used in products like after shave lotions, where it shows mildly styptic properties as well as helping to reduce razor burn and swelling through its cool soothing sensation. In skincare, witch hazel can be used as toner or in place of a cleanser. It is particularly beneficial for oil and problem skin through its more gentle properties. This is one of the main ingredients in Eco-Armour shaving foam and leaves skin feeling very soft and smooth after a shave.
An interesting tidbit is that witch hazel was often used for the lubrication for drill bits and kept cutting tools sharp prior to the popular use and access to synthetic oils of today. It kept minerals from building up on metals and causing rust buildup. Thus Eco-Armour is not only great for your skin but also as maintenance for your razor. Razors don’t dull from harsh hair shaving, but rather from the chemicals found in traditional soaps and shaving gels and the mineral deposits that form from rinsing with water. When you leave your wet razor in the shower with these on your razor blade the blade will begin to dull. But if you start putting Eco-Armour on your blade routinely after showering, you will see a noticeable difference in the life of your razor. So Eco-Armour is not only saving your skin but also saving your razor from being disposed of too quickly. Perhaps there is a magic spell in all of this after all!