Why Use Vinegar For Your Skin?
Vinegar (both white and apple cider vinegar) helps in restoring the pH balance of your skin. This, in turn, helps treat itchy and dry skin, acne, and flaky skin. Compared to the commercially available soaps and face washes that are loaded with chemicals and preservatives, vinegar is a natural and safer way to rejuvenate your skin and make it glow. Caution: Never use apple cider vinegar or any other vinegar in the undiluted form as it might burn your skin. Let us now look at the benefits of using vinegar for your skin.
Benefits Of Vinegar For The Skin
1. Lightens And Prevents Blemishes, Acne, And Pimples
Vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties, which help in eliminating bacteria from your skin, thus keeping acne and blemishes at bay (1), (2), (3), (4).
2. Eliminates Age-related Spots
Apple cider vinegar contains hydroxy acids that slough off the dead skin cells, thus lightening age-related spots.
3. Helps Maintain The pH Of Your Skin
Vinegar maintains the pH balance of your skin and prevents it from becoming excessive oily or dry (5). It also helps in keeping the skin pores clean.
4. Minimizes Wrinkles
Applying diluted vinegar regularly helps delay the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on your skin.
5. Removes All Toxins From Your Face
Regular use of vinegar draws out all toxins from your skin, leaving it radiant and youthful.
6. Soothes Sunburns
Vinegar has antiseptic properties and helps relieve pain. Simply dab some vinegar on your sunburn and watch it heal. These were the magical uses of this simple ingredient. But how can you use vinegar to achieve glowing skin? Scroll down to find out.
How To Use Vinegar On Your Skin
1. As A Facial Toner
1 tablespoon of vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) 2 cups of water 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel (optional)
1-2 minutes Do this it 2-3 times a day or every time you wash your face. Vinegar has astringent properties, and it also contains hydroxy and acetic acids. These help minimize the pores and promote circulation.
2. To Heal Sunburns
Apple cider or white vinegar Water
1-2 minutes Do this 2-3 times a day. Vinegar soothes sunburns with its antiseptic properties. It also restores the pH balance of your skin, promotes cell regeneration and healing, and prevents blistering.
3. As A Treatment For Acne And Blemishes
2 tablespoons of vinegar 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel Water
1-2 minutes Spray every 1-2 hours throughout the day. The acidity of the vinegar dries out the acne and pimples, and its antibacterial properties eliminate the pimple-causing bacteria (6).
4. To Heal Razor Bumps
Diluted apple cider vinegar 1 minute Twice a day or until the razor bumps disappear. Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties, which help in soothing irritated skin (7). The acetic acid in it softens the skin, thus facilitating easy removal of ingrown hair.
5. As An Antiseptic For Itchy Skin
Diluted apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar) 1 minute Until the rash heals. Bug bites, poison ivy, and rashes – anything can cause itchy skin. Apple cider vinegar exhibits excellent antiseptic and antifungal properties that kill the infection-causing fungi and heal the affected area (8). Note: Use raw and organic apple cider vinegar for best results.
6. For Eliminating Body Odor
A bucket of water 1/2 cup of white or apple cider vinegar
2-3 minutes Pour the cup of vinegar into a bucket of water and use it for bathing. Twice a day. Sweating and bacteria often result in body odor. Vinegar has antifungal and antibacterial properties that help in fighting these odor-causing bacteria.
7. As A Facial And Hand Scrub
1 tablespoon of white vinegar 2 tablespoons of coarsely grounded rice
2- 3 minutes Once or twice a week. Vinegar exfoliates the dead skin cells and helps rejuvenate your skin. This scrub makes your skin glowing and smooth without causing any irritation.
8. For Managing Dandruff
2 tablespoons of warm water 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
1-2 minutes Twice or thrice a week or as long as the problem persists. Vinegar is known for its antifungal properties that help in destroying the dandruff-causing fungus (9).
9. To Eliminate Foot Odor
1 cup of apple cider vinegar Baby wipes or paper towels
1 day Do this every day. The acids in apple cider vinegar alter the pH of the skin on your feet and prevent bacterial growth (10). These wipes can also be used as deodorizers for your underarms. Note: Some of you may find the smell of apple cider vinegar disgusting, but don’t worry, the smell doesn’t linger for long.
10. To Reduce Oiliness
2 cups of water 1 cup of vinegar Cotton pads Spray bottle
1-2 minutes Twice or thrice a day. The acidic and astringent properties of the vinegar help absorb excess oil, making your skin smooth. Quick Tip: Leave it on overnight to watch your age spots vanish.
11. To Heal Cracked Heels
1 cup of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar) 2 cups of water 1 cup of curd Pumice stone
25-30 minutes There are two ways you can treat your cracked heels: Repeat this process twice daily until the heels heal. Follow it up with a good moisturizer. The antibacterial and moisturizing properties of curd work in tandem with the vinegar to remove the dead skin cells and fill the cracks.
12. To Detoxify Your Skin
1 teaspoon of vinegar Bentonite clay (you may use Fuller’s Earth or any other clay)
2 minutes Twice a week. The vinegar exfoliates your skin and balances its pH, while the clay extracts all the impurities from the pores.
13. To Clear Skin Pigmentation
1 teaspoon of white vinegar 1 teaspoon of onion juice 2-3 teaspoons of rosewater
2 minutes Once a week. Rosewater has anti-inflammatory properties and absorbs excess oil from the skin. Vinegar has astringent properties that reduce the appearance of dark patches and pigmentation (11).
14. To Remove Blackheads
2 ripe strawberries 1 teaspoon of white vinegar (diluted)
2 minutes Once a week. Strawberry contains folic acid and vitamin C that help in cell regeneration, remove harmful toxins, and aid collagen synthesis. Vinegar absorbs excess oil and cleans the pores, thus helping in getting rid of blackheads.
15. To Treat Dry And Flaky Skin
1 teaspoon of white vinegar 2 teaspoons of olive oil
1 minute Once a day. Olive oil moisturizes and rejuvenates your skin, and vinegar helps in restoring the natural acidity of your skin.
16. To Treat Skin Warts
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar 2 teaspoons of water
1-2 minutes Daily (until the wart falls off). The acetic acid in the vinegar kills bacteria and viruses causing the wart, making the wart fall off in a few days (12).
17. To Treat Ringworm Effectively
Apple cider vinegar (dilute it a bit) Cotton pads
1 minute Repeat this 3 times every day. Apple cider vinegar has strong antifungal properties that help in curing ringworm when applied topically. Vinegar works wonders for your skin but only if you use it carefully. You need to keep a few things in mind before including it in your daily skin care regimen. They are as discussed below.
A Few Tips To Consider
Don’t forget to dilute the vinegar (unless advised otherwise by any skincare specialist) as it might cause a burning sensation. Always do a patch test before applying vinegar. Sprinkle a few drops on your arm and wait for a few minutes to ensure there isn’t any skin irritation. Avoid consuming it orally if you have diabetes, peptic ulcer, or heartburn. The acidic nature of vinegar might worsen the problem. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a doctor before using vinegar. Avoid using strong perfumes or soaps while using vinegar as they might further irritate your skin. Although apple cider vinegar is touted as the best treatment to get rid of dandruff, avoid using it excessively as it can make your hair brittle. If you have any skin ailment and are using any prescribed medication, consult the doctor before using vinegar along with the medicine. The acidic nature of the vinegar often reacts with the chemicals in the skin ointments and medicines. Always use organic vinegar for best results.
Does vinegar remove dark pigmentation? Dr. Natalie Carlton, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist, says, “From studies, the acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar may brighten pigmentation. Here’s how to use it: In a container, mix water and apple cider vinegar in equivalence. Apply to your dark areas, then wait two to three minutes before washing it off.” What are the risks of using apple cider vinegar? Dr. Carlton says, “Apple cider vinegar can irritate, dry out, and harm the skin. Never use it without first diluting it with water. However, diluting the vinegar does not make it safe; it still has the potential to be harmful. A dermatologist should be consulted before applying ACV to the skin.” How can I incorporate vinegar into my skin care routine? Dr. Carlton advises, “Apple cider vinegar works well as a face cleanser to remove dirt and bacteria from the skin. Mix the following ingredients to make a homemade apple cider vinegar face wash: a cup of hot water and 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. As opposed to using harsh soaps or chemicals, use apple cider vinegar to clean softly.” Can I spray apple cider vinegar on my eczema? According to Dr. Carlton, “Your skin’s pH is raised if you have eczema, which prevents this barrier from working correctly. Without it, irritants enter, and moisture escapes. Since apple cider vinegar is acidic, applying it to the skin could assist in restoring its pH balance.” Can apple cider vinegar damage your face? Yes. Direct application of apple cider vinegar can cause skin irritation, redness, and dryness. Ensure that apple cider vinegar is diluted with water before application (13). How long does apple cider vinegar take to lighten dark spots? While current scientific evidence indicates that apple cider vinegar may lighten dark spots, there is no information to tell us how long it will take to show results. You will have to use apple cider vinegar a few times before it starts working (14). Is apple cider vinegar good for dark inner thighs? Possibly. Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar may lighten your inner thighs over time.
