An astringent is a substance that shrinks tissues and can be used in skin care or dentistry. Astringents may help cleanse skin, tighten pores, and dry out oil, making them beneficial for oily, acne-prone skin. However, alcohol-based astringents may dry out the skin and make acne worse, so they should be avoided if you have dry skin. Some common ingredients in astringents for oily skin include witch hazel, citric acid, and salicylic acid. Natural astringents with alcohol from botanicals and alcohol-free astringents are also available.
In dentistry, astringents are used to toughen the surface of mucosa and decrease exudation. Some examples of astringents used in dentistry include alum, aluminum chloride, zinc chloride, and tannic acid. Styptics are the concentrated form of astringents and cause superficial and local coagulation. Aluminum chloride and ferrous sulfate are preferred astringents amongst prosthodontists because they cause minimum tissue damage.
Here are some positive and negative aspects of astringents:
Positive:
- May help cleanse skin, tighten pores, and dry out oil
- May reduce inflammation and acne
- May provide anti-bacterial benefits
- May remove debris, makeup, or excess oil
- May clear acne-causing bacteria
- May shrink pores temporarily
- May form a protective layer and facilitate the healing of mouth ulcers
Negative:
- Alcohol-based astringents may dry out the skin and make acne worse
- May cause redness, hotness, or irritation
- May act as irritants in moderate concentrations and caustics in high concentrations
- May cause tissue damage if applied excessively
- May have side effects if used more frequently or in greater amounts than recommended by a doctor
Some common ingredients in astringents include:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Witch hazel
- Calamine
- Green or black tea
- Alumin...
