I learned from watching Delta Force on the Military channel how important a good shave on the face is for a good seal of a gas mask. I felt bad about my 10 in a pack bargan razors but it got me to thinking how uncomfortable freshly shaven skin can be. So looked around for after shave lotion & ran accross good old fashioned houselold product Witch Hazel. I knew it was an astrigent & wondered if it work. I had no idea how useful this inexpensive product was.

Sharon

http://www.whazel.com/products.htm 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hazel

 Is it flammable?  If so, I don't think it can be sent.

Anna S 

I just googled (whatever would we do without the internet for info?) and to my amazement, it says that witch hazel is flammable.I am shocked and hope someone else will let me know that I read the info wrong. It sure seemed like a great old time solution.

(bummer)

itsmesheila

itamesheila,

would you pass on your internet site please?

The ones I checked did not memtion flammability, nor the the bottle I purchased.

The lable state:

"Active Ingredient:  100% Distilled witch Hazel, containing Alcohol 14%, Double distilled for purity.

NO ADDED SD ALCOHOLS."

I don't know what SD ALCOHOLS are but there isn't any in Witch Hazel. My mouth wash is 26.9% alcohol & has no waring about flammability. I know after shave has some kind of alcohol in it.

My hair spray states It contains SD ALCOHOL & has a "WARNINGS: FLAMMABLE" on the lable.

I deduce from this that it would be safew but better safe than sorry. Any one want to help out with the research?

Sharon

 You might do a search for the company name and then look for a MSDS. 

I looked up the msds for witch hazel (http://www.essentialoil.com/msdswhazel.html) the Flashpoint is 110oF (temp at which gas ignites -- and there is a small amount of gas within the bottle).  The Department of Transportation also classifies it as a combustible liquid.  It says to avoid excessive heat.  It also contains ethyl alcohol (the type found in wine), which is possibly what makes the mixture flammable <-- my personal interpretation.

I would say that it would be best to avoid sending it.

 Hope that helps,

klc

I just tried to find whatever sites I had found earlier, and they do seem to mention when alcohol is added. I really don't know?

I had just put in "witch hazel" and flammable in a search and got many hits which led me to be apprehensive. honestly, I have no clue and I guess I would defer to anyone else who is more familiar with this.Sorry for any confusion I have added to.

I was just wondering about the "natural" type after shave products available from the health foods stores.  The product label say it contains 98% aloe vera but witch hazel is in the ingredient list.  Would this product be unsafe to ship as well?

Best,

klc,

Thanks, that was good info. I've bookmaked the page. There is a difference in an essential oil & a distillate. Based on the info you found I agree that the essential oil not be shipped. I an't imagine the temps. might reach when full on summer arrives in the Middle East.

I've contacted the manufactuer of the product requesting information reguarding flammability. Haven't heard back from them yet.

 http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/witch_hazel_extract.php

"Witch Hazel extract is intended for external use. Avoid using Witch Hazel extract close to the mucus membranes or in the eyes, as it contains a small amount of alcohol. It is best to use on this product on unbroken skin.
External use of Witch Hazel extract could result in minor skin irritation for some people.
Do not use on serious burns, cuts, or other wounds."

"The FDA has approved Witch Hazel distillate as safe for external use in skin care products. Sources had reported no known side effects as of March of 2000. However, future studies may provide more information about the safety or side effects of Witch Hazel"

http://www.answers.com/topic/witch-hazel?cat=technology

Most sites I've checked have made a similar or exact same statement. Pharmicutal companies find there is not much money in researching natural products. So the FDA isn't spending money on them either. Although aspirin is a chemical copy of Willow Bark.

On with the research gang. Appreciate the help. We are making progress.

Sharon

I don't particularly like reviving dead threads, but I feel there is need for clarification on the topic. 

First, a disclaimer. I work for what is considered be called the worlds largest manufacturer of witch hazel. I am not here to sell anything, but do want to do my best to educate others about witch hazel. I'm not a member of our sales or marketing teams, I'm an IT guy, so I probably couldn't make some fancy pitch even if I wanted to. 

I ended up here after looking through our server logs, and the first thing that caught my eye was the statement that witch hazel was flammable and unsafe to ship. The liquid itself in its normal state is not flammable in the normal sense. According to the MSDS sheet, the Flash point is 110 degrees Fahrenheit, which sounds like the right temperature to start evaporating the alcohol, which when evaporated, would be flammable. In regards to shipping the product overseas, I know we have sent care packages to soldiers, both officially from the company, and from employees sending packages to relatives in the service.

About the alcohol; it's not rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, typically we use pure grain alcohol for our retail products, but produce it with other preservatives as requested.

Tucks pads do include witch hazel, from what I understand, which hazel has an odd property that contracts cells in the skin, tightening them and reducing swelling. We do make pad products and towelette products, and I'm sure other manufacturers do the same. 

Personally, I use it (witch hazel, not tucks) as an aftershave, and it works well. Having dealt with nasty razor burn over the years and trying several products to no avail, I was pretty hesitant of some natural product. It smells like crap at first, but unlike other perfumed aftershaves, the odor is completely gone once dry. I've found the towelettes that we make to be good for wiping down my face during a hot sweaty day.