Talking Postpartum: Skincare & why witch hazel is not ideal for skin

Witch Hazel has been touted as a solution for a lot of skin ailments. There's endless advice on the internet on using witch hazel to cure acne, puffy eyes, sunburn and most interestingly to us .... to apply it on maternity pads after birth as postpartum treatment. But is witch hazel that effective?

Witch hazel is a flowering plant that grows throughout North America and some parts of Asia. The leaves and bark are harvested to create a clear liquid that’s sold commercially as Witch hazel. 

Sounds natural enough - so why don't we put witch hazel in our products?

One of the main antioxidants in Witch hazel is the group of chemicals called tannins. Tannins are drying to the skin. This may seem positive in the short term, especially for pimple treatments, but in the long term - as tannins are irritants, they're not ideal for skin. When we talk about putting products on your noonie, especially after birth, the concerns are real: the skin on your vagina (before or after birth) is not the same as the skin on your face. 

Ok so you're not convinced the tannins are all that harmful, that's fine. Let's talk about the witch hazel you would buy. Typically, witch hazel is distilled with alcohol. If our skin care addictions have taught us anything, we know that applying alcohol to the skin impairs the skin’s surface. Ok we don't want to sound like your mum, but please don't put anything with alcohol in the ingredients on, in or around your vagina - EVER - but especially post birth. Alcohol majorly disrupts your pH & could burn your bits. 

Basically, witch hazel fails to live up to its claims as an effective or safe skincare solution. It also concerning that there are websites advocating the use of witch hazel on homemade (DIY) Padsicles.

The Noonie padsicles do not contain witch hazel for these reasons. Our perineal spray which gets all up in your personal area, is a far gentler, unique natural cleanser that uses Tasmanian Pepperberry instead. With innovative and effective wound treatment at the top of mind, ingredients are very carefully selected by our skincare formulators so they don’t tamper with the very delicate and sensitive area that brings life to our world.

Tasmanian Pepperberry Skincare and Benefits

Focusing on innovative postpartum care, Noonie uses this amazing ingredient in one of our unique special formulas, the Noonie Cleanse & Soothe Perineal Spray. We make use of the pepperberry's antimicrobial, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to cleanse and cool the delicate area without drying the skin or affecting the natural pH balance. It is also gentle enough to be used on stitches.

The spray calms and quietens inflammatory markers in the skin, reducing the burning sensation, skin redness and the chance of irritation. The perineal cleanser comes in a lightweight bottle with an advanced 360-degree spray applicator to spray upside down with the perfect mist pressure.