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Apple Cider Vinegar: Beauty Benefits & How To Use

Apple cider vinegar is widely known mainly for its benefits for the hair. But, did you know apple cider vinegar has a myriad of benefits for your skin as well? This mildly acidic ingredient can do wonders for your beauty.

From treating acne and sunburns to treating dandruff, it has a lot of uses that makes it a deserving candidate in your beauty regime. Now, you may be wondering how to use this amazing ingredient in your skincare and haircare routine. Worry not!

Apple Cider Vinegar

In this article, we've discussed the various benefits of apple cider vinegar for your skin and hair, and how to use it to tackle different beauty problems. So, sit back, relax and read on!

Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin & Hair

  • It soothes the skin.
  • It fights acne.
  • It prevents acne and blackheads.
  • It tones the skin.
  • It provides relief from sunburns.
  • It prevents signs of premature ageing.
  • It helps to treat cracked feet.
  • It reduces body odour.
  • It helps to treat dandruff.
  • It adds a natural shine to the hair.
  • It removes the product bulid-up from your hair.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin

Apple Cider Vinegar

1. For treating acne

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial properties that keep that harmful acne-causing bacteria at bay and thus prevents acne. [1] Honey moisturises the skin and also possesses antibacterial properties that help fight acne. [2]

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp wheat flour

Method of use

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Apply the mixture on your face.
  • Leave it on for 25-30 minutes.
  • Rinse it off later.

2. For treating sunburns

The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar helps to maintain the pH balance of the skin and the anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar calm the irritated and itchy skin and thus provides some relief from the sunburn. [3]

Ingredients

  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • 4 cup water

Method of use

  • Mix both the ingredients together and give them a good stir.
  • Dip a wash cloth in the solution obtained.
  • Apply this cloth on the affected areas.
  • Leave it on for a few seconds before taking it off.
  • Repeat this multiple times a day for the desired result.

3. For reducing age spots

Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxy acids that repair the sun-damaged skin and reduce the signs of ageing such as wrinkles and age spots. [4] Onion has antioxidant properties that protect the skin from free radical damage and refreshes it. [5]

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp onion juice

Method of use

  • Mix both the ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Apply the mixture on the affected areas.
  • Leave it on for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse it off later.

4. For cracked heels

Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and exfoliates the skin to remove dead skin and thus rejuvenate the skin to treat cracked feet.

Ingredients

  • 3-4 cups water
  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar

Method of use

  • Add the vinegar in water and give it a good stir.
  • Soak your feet in the solution for about 15 minutes.
  • Take your feet out and scrub them using a pumice stone.

5. To tone the skin

The alpha hydroxy acids present in apple cider vinegar keep the skin moisturised and tone your skin to make it smooth and firm. [6]

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tsp water

Method of use

  • Mix both the ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Dab a cotton ball in the mixture.
  • Using this cotton ball, apply the mixture on your face.
  • Leave it on for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse it off later.

6. To get rid of body odour

The antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar inhibit the growth of bacteria on the skin and thus help to tackle the issue of body odour.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup apple cider vinegar
  • A basin of water

Method of use

  • Add the apple cider vinegar to your bath water.
  • Soak in this water for 10-15 minutes.
  • Wipe yourself using a wash cloth.
  • Rinse your body using cold water.

7. For treating blackheads

Apple cider vinegar exfoliates your skin to remove the dead skin cells and impurities from it. It also helps to unclog your pores and thus helps to remove blackheads.

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp baking soda

Method of use

  • Mix both the ingredients together to make a paste.
  • Apply the paste on the affected areas.
  • Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  • Rinse it off using lukewarm water.
  • Wash your face using a mild cleanser.
  • Apply some moisturiser to finish it off.

8. To make the manicure last longer

If you want to make your manicure last longer, apple cider vinegar can do the trick for you.

Ingredient

  • Apple cider vinegar (as needed)

Method of use

  • Take some apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
  • Dip your fingertips in the bowl.
  • Let it soak for a couple of minutes.
  • Take out your fingers and let them dry on their own.
  • Proceed with your manicure.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Hair

Apple Cider Vinegar

1. To cleanse your hair

An apple cider vinegar rinse can effectively cleanse your hair. Its acidic nature helps to maintain the pH balance of the scalp and remove the chemical build-up from your hair.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 cup water

Method of use

  • Add apple cider vinegar to the water and give it a good mix.
  • Shampoo as usual.
  • Rinse your hair using the apple cider vinegar solution.
  • Leave it on for a few seconds.
  • Rinse it off using normal water.

2. For hair growth

Apple cider vinegar helps to maintain the pH balance of the scalp and cleanses the scalp to promote hair growth. Rich in ricinoleic acid, omega-6 and 9 fatty acids, castor oil has antioxidant and antioxidant properties that protect the scalp and prevent hair loss. [7] Eggs are a rich source of proteins and thus help to promote hair growth.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp castor oil
  • 1 egg white

Method of use

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
  • Apply the mixture to your scalp and hair.
  • Leave it on for 1 hour.
  • Wash your hair using a mild shampoo.

3. For dandruff

Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help to get rid of dandruff and maintain a healthy and clean scalp. Besides, it has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe an itchy scalp. [1] Coconut oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that cleanse and soothe the scalp and help to get rid of dandruff. [8] Honey locks the moisture in the scalp and nourishes the scalp.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tsp honey

Method of use

  • Mix all the ingredients together well.
  • Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair.
  • Leave it on for 10 minutes.
  • Rinse it off using a mild shampoo.
View Article References
  1. [1] Gopal, J., Anthonydhason, V., Muthu, M., Gansukh, E., Jung, S., Chul, S., & Iyyakkannu, S. (2017). Authenticating apple cider vinegar’s home remedy claims: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties and cytotoxicity aspect.Natural product research, 1-5.
  2. [2] McLoone, P., Oluwadun, A., Warnock, M., & Fyfe, L. (2016). Honey: A Therapeutic Agent for Disorders of the Skin.Central Asian journal of global health,5(1), 241. doi:10.5195/cajgh.2016.241
  3. [3] Quandt, S. A., Sandberg, J. C., Grzywacz, J. G., Altizer, K. P., & Arcury, T. A. (2015). Home Remedy Use Among African American and White Older Adults.Journal of the National Medical Association,107(2), 121–129. doi:10.1016/S0027-9684(15)30036-5
  4. [4] Moghimipour E. (2012). Hydroxy Acids, the Most Widely Used Anti-aging Agents.Jundishapur journal of natural pharmaceutical products,7(1), 9–10.
  5. [5] Pucciarini, L., Ianni, F., Petesse, V., Pellati, F., Brighenti, V., Volpi, C., … Sardella, R. (2019). Onion (Allium cepaL.) Skin: A Rich Resource of Biomolecules for the Sustainable Production of Colored Biofunctional Textiles.Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),24(3), 634. doi:10.3390/molecules24030634
  6. [6] Vidt, D. G., & Bergfeld, W. F. (1997). Cosmetic use of alpha-hydroxy acids.Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine,64(6), 327-329.
  7. [7] Iqbal, J., Zaib, S., Farooq, U., Khan, A., Bibi, I., & Suleman, S. (2012). Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Free Radical Scavenging Potential of Aerial Parts of Periploca aphylla and Ricinus communis.ISRN pharmacology,2012, 563267. doi:10.5402/2012/563267
  8. [8] Peedikayil, F. C., Remy, V., John, S., Chandru, T. P., Sreenivasan, P., & Bijapur, G. A. (2016). Comparison of antibacterial efficacy of coconut oil and chlorhexidine on Streptococcus mutans: An in vivo study.Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry,6(5), 447.

Story first published: Thursday, May 9, 2019, 17:57 [IST]