The History of Dickinson’s Witch Hazel

Thomas Newton Dickinson was born in East Haddam, Connecticut in 1825. A Baptist minister, he owned several clothing mills that produced Civil War uniforms and later made cotton pads. Then in 1866, he began the wholesale production of witch hazel. In 1895, he formed a partnership with his son, E.E. Dickinson Sr., who took over the business two years later. Fittingly, it became known as E.E. Dickinson & Company. E.E. Dickinson is credited with creating a high demand for the company's witch hazel through his clever use of marketing tactics and good timing (beards were going out of fashion, so barbers were keen on purchasing witch hazel to use during shaves). He also introduced the brand’s highly recognizable yellow and black color scheme. Another of Thomas Dickinson’s sons, Thomas Newton Dickinson Jr., operated his own witch hazel business out of East Hampton, Connecticut called T.N. Dickinson Witch Hazel. Both companies did well and eventually, they were both purchased by the same corporation toward the end of the 20th century. Today, Dickinson’s and T.N. Dickinson both sell a variety of products, including Dickinson’s Pore Perfecting Toner and T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel 100% Natural Astringent. Witch hazel is a popular item today with a wide variety of uses, ranging from daily skin care to first aid applications and even hemorrhoidal and postpartum care. While there are several other witch hazel brands on the market today, both Dickinson’s and T.N. Dickinson’s remain very popular.