National Witch Hazel Day
October 21
About National Witch Hazel Day
National Witch Hazel Day takes place every year on 21 October. It celebrates witch hazel, the North American shrub whose distilled extract has been a fixture of medicine cabinets for more than 150 years. The day was created by Dickinson Brands Inc. to highlight the history, benefits, and enduring popularity of this natural skincare ingredient.
How to Celebrate National Witch Hazel Day
This is a hands-on, practical day, and the best way to mark it is simply to put witch hazel to use. Here are some ideas to get involved.
- Add it to your skincare routine – Use distilled witch hazel as a gentle toner after cleansing. Its natural astringent properties help tighten and refresh the skin without harsh chemicals.
- Soothe minor skin irritation – Dab witch hazel onto insect bites, razor burn, or minor cuts and grazes. It has long been valued as a first-aid remedy for swelling and inflammation.
- Try a DIY recipe – Witch hazel is a popular base for homemade facial mists, aftershave, and cooling pads. Spend the day experimenting with a simple natural recipe in your own kitchen.
- Learn to identify the plant – If you live in eastern North America, take a walk and look for the shrub’s distinctive spidery yellow flowers, which bloom in late autumn when almost everything else has stopped.
- Read up on its heritage – Discover how Indigenous peoples used witch hazel long before European settlers, and how it became one of only a few botanicals approved by the FDA.
- Look out for offers – Dickinson Brands and retailers run promotions and free samples through October and November, so it is a good moment to restock or try a new product.
- Restock your medicine cabinet – If you have run out, replace your bottle of witch hazel so you have a versatile natural remedy on hand for the months ahead.
- Share the day online – Post your favourite uses and tips and encourage others to discover this overlooked natural ingredient.
What is National Witch Hazel Day?
National Witch Hazel Day is an annual observance dedicated to the witch hazel plant and the natural skincare products derived from it. It was founded by Dickinson Brands Inc., a company that has produced witch hazel products for over 150 years. The day is aimed at anyone interested in natural skincare, traditional remedies, or botanical history, and it encourages people to rediscover an ingredient that has quietly remained relevant for generations. If you enjoy natural beauty observances, you might also like National Clean Beauty Day, which champions transparent, gentle ingredients.
When is National Witch Hazel Day?
National Witch Hazel Day is observed on 21 October each year. In 2026 it falls on Wednesday, 21 October. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, making it easy to add to your calendar as a recurring annual occasion.
The History of National Witch Hazel Day
National Witch Hazel Day was founded in 2021 by Dickinson Brands Inc. through the National Day Calendar, and the first observance was held on 21 October 2021. The company created the day to celebrate the long history and many benefits of witch hazel, and to introduce new audiences to a product its founders have championed for over a century and a half.
The story of the brand begins in 1866, when the Reverend Thomas Newton Dickinson, a clergyman, recognised an opportunity to bring the benefits of witch hazel to a wider public. For more than 150 years, 100% natural distilled witch hazel has been the primary ingredient in the company’s products. Today Dickinson Brands manages several names, including Humphreys, T.N. Dickinson’s, and Dickinson’s Original, and wild-harvests witch hazel from tens of thousands of acres of New England woodland.
The use of witch hazel itself reaches back much further. Indigenous peoples across the eastern United States, including the Mohegan, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Delaware, and Cherokee nations, used preparations of the bark, leaves, and twigs as poultices, eye washes, and astringents for centuries before settlers arrived. Early Puritan colonists in New England adopted the remedy, and by the late 1800s distilled witch hazel had become a staple of pharmacies across the country. National Witch Hazel Day brings that long, layered history into focus once a year.
Fun Facts About National Witch Hazel Day
- Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is one of the few shrubs in North America that blooms in late autumn, flowering from October through December when other plants are dormant.
- The plant’s spidery, ribbon-like yellow flowers can open even in freezing weather, curling up to protect themselves from frost.
- Early European settlers observed Native Americans using forked witch hazel branches to dowse for underground water, which is thought to be the origin of the “witch” in its name.
- Witch hazel is one of only a small number of botanicals approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an active drug ingredient.
- Its astringent power comes from tannins, especially hamamelitannin, which tighten skin and help reduce swelling.
- Dickinson Brands wild-harvests witch hazel from over 33,000 acres of organic New England woodland.
Why National Witch Hazel Day Matters
National Witch Hazel Day is a reminder that some of the most effective remedies are also among the simplest and most natural. As interest in clean, plant-based skincare grows, the day celebrates an ingredient with genuine heritage rather than marketing hype. It also honours the Indigenous knowledge that first identified witch hazel’s value, and supports the woodland harvesting traditions that keep that knowledge alive today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is National Witch Hazel Day?
National Witch Hazel Day is an annual celebration of the witch hazel plant and the natural skincare products made from it. It was founded by Dickinson Brands Inc. to highlight the ingredient’s history and benefits.
When is National Witch Hazel Day in 2026?
It takes place on Wednesday, 21 October 2026. The date is fixed and falls on 21 October every year.
Who founded National Witch Hazel Day?
It was founded in 2021 by Dickinson Brands Inc., a company that has produced witch hazel products since 1866, through the National Day Calendar.
Spread the Word
Join the celebration and share your favourite witch hazel uses and tips on social media with #NationalWitchHazelDay and #NationalWitchHazelDay2026. Tag your friends and challenge them to discover this versatile natural ingredient.
Related Awareness Days
- National Aesthetician Day – Also in October, this day honours the skincare professionals who recommend natural ingredients like witch hazel.
- National Clean Beauty Day – Celebrates transparent, gentle skincare, a natural fit for witch hazel fans.
- National Love Your Skin Day – Encourages healthy skincare habits and self-care routines.
Links
- Visit the official National Witch Hazel Day website
- Explore more awareness days at AwarenessDays.com
Featured image: Photo by Laura Ockel on Unsplash.
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