Inexpensive Witch HAzel

I got this yesterday, after I ran out T.N. Dickinson's. Humphrey's Maravilla Lotion, it's witch hazel. This was 8oz./$2.99. It's inexpensive, this month I'm on a tight budget. It is found on drugstore chains like Walgreen's. It has no smell other than Hamamelis (witch Hazel). I sometimes add lavender essential oil, I think this time I'll try with rose water. If any out there have any other suggestions of under $10.00 after shave products, let's share.
https://picasaweb.google.com/1014663...48782058961474

The issue with the store brands of Witchazel is the reason it's cheap is because the stuff is really watered down. In the end you might actually be paying more for what you think is the cheaper product.

I just don't like the high alcohol content. I have splashes for alcohol, I prefer the witch hazel to be alcohol-free.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The issue with the store brands of Witchazel is the reason it's cheap is because the stuff is really watered down. In the end you might actually be paying more for what you think is the cheaper product.

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Thanks for the tip about avoiding store brands. This one, Humphrey's, is not a store brand. It does have alcohol, however. You can get it in almost any drugstore or supermarket. It feels ok, I had a splash right after I finished the TN Dickinson's and it's ok. It's not as good as Thayer's, which is a favorite, but it is inexpensive.

I've used Dickinson's , and I've used the cheap stuff , and I see no difference between the two , except the price . All of the witch hazel I've ever seen is the same : 86% witch hazel , 14% alcohol . If you don't believe me , check the back of the bottle where it lists the active , and inactive ingredients . I wouldn't be surprised if they're all made by the same company .

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Originally Posted by dave5225

I've used Dickinson's , and I've used the cheap stuff , and I see no difference between the two , except the price . All of the witch hazel I've ever seen is the same : 86% witch hazel , 14% alcohol . If you don't believe me , check the back of the bottle where it lists the active , and inactive ingredients . I wouldn't be surprised if they're all made by the same company .

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Yes that is quite correct however the witch hazel part is not 100% witch hazel it's mixed with water and that amount can vary by as much a margin as you like. I have tried some of the store brands and compared to Dickinson it doesn't even smell the same. I could tell it's watered down.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes that is quite correct however the witch hazel part is not 100% witch hazel it's mixed with water and that amount can vary by as much a margin as you like. I have tried some of the store brands and compared to Dickinson it doesn't even smell the same. I could tell it's watered down.

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Well it certainly wouldn't surprise if it's watered down , but I always thought that if the label said 86% witch hazel , it would have to be 86% witch hazel . Not 86% , watered down to whatever the mfg'er wanted it to be , witch hazel .

Witch hazel is a plant extract and once processed is diluted for use. If you used 100% extract it would be way too concentrated. It might not even be safe. So your main ingredient, the witch hazel may be 84% of the product but it depends how much they dilute the witch hazel part. That's why they can sell it cheaper you're getting more water.

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Originally Posted by dave5225

Well it certainly wouldn't surprise if it's watered down , but I always thought that if the label said 86% witch hazel , it would have to be 86% witch hazel . Not 86% , watered down to whatever the mfg'er wanted it to be , witch hazel .

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the standard witch hazel/water dilution is 1:3...
price per ounce....
store brand $0.1875
dickinson $0.2304
thayers $0.4933

the only real difference i have found is the quality of the scents in the scented ones and the aloe in the thayers ... i mainly use the cheap plain witch hazel and then an alcohol based AS

Walmart has witch hazel too...found it Friday while searching for glycerin.

Standard Witch hazel has no added scent to it. The characteristic smell which some like and some hate comes from the product. If you smell the Dickensons and smell a typical store brand like Walgreens or Walmart the Dickenson has a much stronger smell to it. That's because the store brands use less extract or water it down. Now if you can think of another reason for the difference in intensity of the smell I can't. I've tried em all and found the store brands were not the same as the Dickenson even though Dickenson probably makes all of them.

I use the cheap CVS stuff,cut it with bayrum to get past the smell. as an astringent, it works fine.
Great stuff but no magic potion.

I actually kind of like the scent of witch hazel. Like throwing wet leaves on a fire.:)

Humphrey's Maravilla is sold in many different stores, pharmacies and supermarkets aroound here. It's been around since I was a child. So it's not really a drugstore brand. It feels fine compared to the others. I love Thayer's but this has worked out fine, it feels pretty similar to Dickinson's so I guess there's enough Witch Hazel in there.

Used my cheap no brand wh last night. Have never used it so wasn't prepped for the smell lol, but it grew on me. And ill be darned if I didn't have a significantly less amount of redness than usual.

Witch Hazel USP is a standardized form of the product. If you buy it in one store for 1$ and another for 5$... As long as they're marked USP then it has to be the same product. Believe it's an FDA thing.

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Originally Posted by Johnus

Witch Hazel USP is a standardized form of the product. If you buy it in one store for 1$ and another for 5$... As long as they're marked USP then it has to be the same product. Believe it's an FDA thing.

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No not exactly. That's why you can buy generic medications and the formulations vary and they are allowed to be off by a certain amount potency wise. With Witch hazel, USP or not at some point the preparation is watered down. Your nose will tell you that.

Humphrey's isnt really a store brand. It's always in the "ethnic" product section of the drugstore.

I get thayers for 6 or 8 dollars a bottle. That's cheap enough for me. Never tried dickinsons or any store brand.

Michael