Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin – Everything you need to know

Stars like Katy Perry and Scarlett Johanssen swear by apple cider vinegar for skin and have made it a part of their skincare routine. If you want to know their beauty secret, you have come to the right place.

Most of us spend a huge amount of money on skincare products that are not just expensive and chemical-based, they can also harm the environment. Using something natural like apple cider vinegar can do wonders for your skin while helping you save your money and not destroy the environment.

From using it to whiten your skin to treat acne, there is a lot that apple cider vinegar can do for you. If you know how to use it properly, you too can glow like a star.

Find out how.

What is apple cider vinegar?

Made from the juice extracted from cider apples, apple cider vinegar is a common type of vinegar that is used for medical, culinary, and cosmetic purposes. Cider apples are crushed, and the juice that is extracted is fermented in two processes, with the addition of certain strains of bacteria.

The first process turns the apple juice to alcohol, while the second, turns the alcohol to acetic acid and vinegar. It is due to the presence of both acetic acid and malic acid, that apple cider vinegar has a sour taste.

There are two types of apple cider vinegar that are commonly available. The first is the raw and organic unfiltered version. This basically consists of something known as the mother of vinegar. The mother of vinegar has several nutrients, minerals, and enzymes. It gives the apple cider vinegar a cloudy appearance.

The second type that is commonly available is the filtered version. This type of apple cider vinegar does not contain the mother of vinegar and has a clear, amber-coloured appearance. (1)

Apple cider vinegar benefits for skin

Apple cider vinegar can help you with a lot of skin problems, and also be a good addition to your skincare routine. Here is how:

1. Apple cider vinegar for acne scars and pimples

One of the main causal factors of acne and pimples is the accumulation of oil, dirt, dust, and dead skin cells, and bacteria in the pores of the skin. Applying apple cider vinegar for pimples can help remove the oil, dirt, dust, dead skin cells and bacteria from the pores of your skin.

It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which means it can keep infections at bay, and help treat any existing bacterial and fungal infections as well. (2)

2. Apple cider vinegar for sunburn remedy

Sunburns are caused due to constant, prolonged, and excessive exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun. Continually being at the receiving end of sunburns paves the way for early ageing and in some extreme cases, it might also cause skin cancer.

Apple cider vinegar can help treat mild cases of sunburn. The alpha hydroxyl acid in apple cider vinegar is know for being an effective remedy for sunburn. It can accelerate the healing process, and additionally, it can also soothe the affected area. (3)

However, you should opt for this remedy only if you are suffering from a minor case of sunburns. If it is anything severe, consult your dermatologist as apple cider vinegar can worsen the condition.

3. Apple cider vinegar for face toner

The next time you spend a bomb on a skin toner, you might want to hold back and use apple cider vinegar as a more cheaper, natural alternative. Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acid, which acts as an astringent – it reduces sebum output, thus making your skin less oily.

It helps close pores, reduces blackheads and whiteheads and makes the skin firm. (4)

Apple cider vinegar toner will also help increase the blood flow in your skin and accelerate blood circulation. Apple cider vinegar is specifically great for people with oily skin.

4. Apple cider vinegar to exfoliate and soothe skin

Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acid, which is helpful in the removal of dead skin cells. This way, it helps with the exfoliating of your skin. Apple cider vinegar also has soothing properties. It can leave your skin soft and supple.

5. Apple cider vinegar for wrinkles and age spots removal

Again, the alpha hydroxyl acid that is found in apple cider vinegar can help with the prevention of wrinkles as well as the removal of age spots. Since alpha hydroxyl can help remove dead and dry skin, it can smoothen out your face and make it look fresh and young as well.

The acetic acid that is found in apple cider vinegar can smoothen out the fine lines and wrinkles in your face and more importantly, it can help lighten, and over time, remove age spots on your skin.

Moreover, it is found that alpha hydroxyl acid is effective in firming up skin and producing collagen- which helps prevent wrinkles and keeps the skin supple. A study on Japanese subjects found that treatment with alpha hydroxyl acids helps reduce dark spots, sun damage and improves elasticity of skin. (6)

6. Apple cider vinegar for warts removal

A wart is the unusual growth of skin that is usually benign. It is found in the top layer of the skin and is usually caused when a virus has infected the area.

Apple cider vinegar, as mentioned above, has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It also works as a great antioxidant. Apple cider vinegar has been used for ages, for the removal of warts.

While research has not been done on the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for rmoving warts, anecdotal evidence exists that it is effective in removing warts. Studies have found that acidic compounds are effective in drying up and removing warts, and apple cider vinegar, being acidic, may yield the same results. (7)

7. Apple cider vinegar for skin whitening

Apple cider vinegar contains great amounts of something known as glycol. Glycol is a compound that can clear your skin in a natural way. In fact, apple cider vinegar happens to have more glycol content that other substances that contain glycols, like pineapple, sugarcane, sugar beets, and grapes.

Being acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar also has a high level of acidic content, which in turn can clear out several impurities, as well as exfoliate your skin. It can cleanse away dirty or accumulated pores, blackheads, whiteheads, oil, build ups, dirt, and makeup.

Overall, with apple cider uses for skin whitening makes your skin lighter and helps with skin whitening by gently and naturally removing dead skin cells and the buildup of dirt and grime. It can also help reduce any age spots or dark patches on your skin. (6)

8. Apple cider vinegar for skin rash

Apple cider vinegar in its organic form, that is the unfiltered version that contains the mother of vinegar, has been a household remedy to treat skin rashes. The acetic acid that is present in apple cider vinegar has antiseptic properties that can help treat infections. Apple cider vinegar that is diluted in water and applied on the affected area can also soothe the rash. (2)

However, always make sure that the apple cider vinegar is diluted. It has to be ten parts of water for every one part of apple cider vinegar. Also, apple cider vinegar is only used to treat a mild case of rashes. If you are suffering from severe rashes, make sure you consult your healthcare professional immediately. Do not apply apple cider vinegar in such cases as it might only aggravate the condition.

9. Apple cider vinegar for skin tags

In case you are wondering what skin tags are, it refers to small-sized, tiny, often benign growths on the surface of the skin. While they are harmless, skin tags can often not a very pleasant sight.  Apple cider vinegar is a popular remedy for the removal of skin tags.
Since apple cider vinegar is acidic and caustic in nature, it can naturally destroy the tissues in the skin tags.

How to use apple cider vinegar on skin tags

To use apple cider vinegar for the removal of skin tags, you will have to apply apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, with the help of a cotton ball. Place this cotton ball on the affected area and cover it with the help of a bandage. You can do this overnight. Repeat this process every day for three or four days. By the end of this time, you will first notice that the skin tag has dried, after which, it would have fallen off.

10. Apple cider vinegar for tanned skin

Melanin that is present in your skin is responsible for it tanning when exposed to sunlight. While melanin protects your skin from the harmful radiation of the UV rays of the sun, it can also cause your skin to turn dark. To counter the effects of a skin tab, you can use apple cider vinegar. It has skin lightening properties, and can also soothe the skin. (6)

To do this, you will have to mix one part of apple cider vinegar with one spoon of honey and a cup of water. Gently apply this solution to your face with a clean cotton ball. Leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes and wash your face with cool water. The honey moisturizes and soothes your skin.

How to use apple cider vinegar for skin problems

If you plan on using apple cider vinegar for your skin effectively, then follow these procedures –

1. Apple cider vinegar uses for pimples, age spots, and wrinkles:

For this remedy, make sure you use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. To a bowl of water, add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Then use a clean ball of cotton to dab this mix on the affected area.

2. how to get rid of sunburn with apple cider vinegar

For this, use four cups of cold water. Add half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Use a clean cloth to gently dab this on the affected area.

3. To exfoliate your skin

For skin exfoliation, make a mixture of half a spoon of apple cider vinegar, two spoons of coconut oil, and one spoon of honey. Gently massage your face, and rinse.

4. How to use apple cider vinegar as a toner

To use apple cider vinegar as a skin toner, mix a few drops of apple cider vinegar to some filtered water. To this, add a few drops of essential oils. You can use tea tree oil or lavender oil, or even olive oil.

Apple cider vinegar side effects on skin

While apple cider vinegar can be used to treat many skin problems, using it in excess can lead to skin damage. There have been instances where application of apple cider vinegar has caused breakouts, rashes or excess drying of skin.

Apple cider vinegar, as we know, is acidic in nature. It has properties that are caustic in nature. Something that is caustic, is capable of burning or corroding tissue that is organic. Our skin is made of organic tissues, thereby making it prone to the corrosive nature of apple cider vinegar.

In one case, it was observed that an adolescent girl, after the application of apple cider vinegar to her skin, suffered from erosions and breakouts on her nose. The adolescent girl was using the application of apple cider vinegar on her nose to remove warts. (8)

In another case, a six-year-old boy suffered from burns on his legs. This was after his mother applied apple cider vinegar on his legs to treat a kind of infection. (9)

The direct application of apple cider vinegar, in particular, can cause your skin to burn or corrode. Prolonged exposure for a long time too can cause skin burns and even discoloration. Make sure that you always use it in diluted form.

For better guidance on including apple cider vinegar in your skincare routine, consult a dermatologist or a trained beautician.

Benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar for skin?

Apple cider vinegar has many benefits, but is it good to drink apple cider vinegar? While drinking apple cider vinegar is not directly related to skin- you must remember that when you are healthy from the inside, it will reflect on your skin as well.

So let us see what are the benefits of consuming apple cider vinegar for skin-

Benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar for acne

There is a popular belief that drinking ACV helps clear up your acne by removing toxins and impurities from the blood. However, we have not found any supported study to validate the claim.

Benefits of drinking apple cider vinegar for dry skin on face

There is a popular belief that drinking ACV helps clear up your acne by removing toxins and impurities from the blood. However, we have not found any supported study to validate the claim.

Other Benefits of Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar can help with weight loss.

In one study, it was observed that apple cider vinegar could reduce the accumulation of fat, and decrease the overall fat content in the body. In this particular study, 15 to 30 ml of diluted apple cider vinegar was given to a group of obese Japanese adults.

By the end of the 12-week study, a reduction in the fat percentage, as well as the waist circumference, was observed. This goes on to prove that apple cider vinegar can indeed help facilitate weight loss. (10)

Can help you regulate blood sugar levels

Apple cider vinegar can also help with the regulation of your blood sugar levels. It can improve the sensitivity to insulin in your body. In fact, the consumption of apple cider vinegar, particularly after a high carb meal, has shown a reduction of close to 34% of blood sugar levels. (12)

Can lower cholesterol

Apple cider vinegar can also significantly lower levels of cholesterol in the body. While cholesterol is essential for your body, excessive amounts of cholesterol in your body can cause heart ailments and even strokes. Consuming apple cider vinegar can help regulate the levels of cholesterol in your body. (11)

Where to buy apple cider vinegar for skin care benefits

Apple cider vinegar is easily available. You will find it in supermarkets, and medical and health stores. You can also find it easily online. Here are two of the best apple cider vinegar brands –

1. Bragg’s Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar – this product is raw, 100% natural, and filled with enzymes, vitamins, and minerals. It is available on Amazon.
2.  HealthViva Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar – unpasteurized, raw and unfiltered, with ample mother of vinegar. It is available on Amazon.
3. St. Botanica Natural Apple Cider Vinegar – with mother of vinegar, raw, unfiltered, and unrefined. It is available on Amazon.

ACV for Skin conclusion

Now we know that apple cider vinegar does indeed have several benefits for your skin. It can help treat skin rash and acne, as well as lighten the skin, clean it from impurities, and reduce age spots and blemish.

While the benefits of apple cider vinegar for your skin are numerous, you need to always keep in mind that the excessive use of any product, including apple cider vinegar, can do more harm than good. If you are suffering from any particular skin condition, first consult your doctors before proceeding to use apple cider vinegar. Also, it is always better to use apple cider vinegar in its diluted form, as opposed to directly applying it on your skin.

Apple cider vinegar is a great natural product that can work wonders for your skin, so go ahead and use it the right way as we’ve told you!

FAQ

Q1 Is drinking apple cider vinegar good for your skin?

There is a popular belief that drinking ACV helps clear up your acne by removing toxins and impurities from the blood. However, we have not found any supported study to validate the claim.

Q2 Does apple cider vinegar remove skin tags?

Since apple cider vinegar is acidic and caustic in nature, it can naturally destroy the tissues in the skin tags.