There are various skincare routines and trusted beauty products in our lives, but sometimes our skin needs something a little more natural to function at its best. What makes this even more enticing is that some of the best skincare ingredients are often found hidden right in our kitchen cabinets.
For example, there are many benefits to using apple cider vinegar (ACV) for your skin, yet few people opt for it. Many people drink it with water daily for health benefits like detoxing, weight loss, and regulating blood sugar. However, skincare experts believe that this fruit-based vinegar also works wonders when applied topically.
This amber-colored, tart liquid is rich in citric, malic, and amino acids that help cleanse the skin for a glowing appearance. Let’s dive into why you should consider adding apple cider vinegar to your home-based skincare routine.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
This tart liquid is derived from crushing apples and processing them until they are naturally fermented. This process produces acetic acid, turning the apples’ sugar into alcohol. Acetic acid contains powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties that keep bacteria away and help clear the skin.
Our skin has a slightly acidic natural moisture barrier. Consistent use of alkali-based soaps and artificial skincare products might reduce this acidity, making our skin more vulnerable to harmful environmental conditions. Applying highly diluted apple cider vinegar helps restore the skin’s natural acidity, supporting its barrier and protecting your face.
Top 6 Benefits of ACV for Skincare
Backed by scientific evidence and the presence of natural probiotics, here are the best-known benefits of using apple cider vinegar for your skin:
- Combats Acne and Pimples: ACV’s triple-action antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties keep bacteria at bay and inhibit the formation of pimples.
- Exfoliates Gently: ACV is a natural source of AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid), which helps gently exfoliate your skin by eliminating dead skin cells on the surface. This keeps signs of aging away and ensures a youthful glow.
- Balances Skin’s pH Level: It restores the natural pH balance of your skin, helping it fight external factors like pollution while keeping it hydrated through different seasons.
- Works as a Skin Toner: Incorporating an ACV toner tightens pores, improves skin texture, and facilitates better absorption of other skincare products. It also offers skin-brightening properties.
- Soothes Sunburn: ACV contains anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve sunburn. Note: Never apply it directly! Mix a cup of ACV into a bucket of bathwater to safely soothe inflamed skin.
- Eliminates Bad Odor: The antifungal properties in ACV inhibit the growth of bacteria caused by sweat and dirt, making it a great natural cleanser for the body.
How ACV Treats Acne
Our skin goes through many changes, and acne is often caused by a sedentary lifestyle, pollutants, improper diet, and the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes.
By using an ACV-based face wash daily, you can get faster relief from these blemishes. The acetic, succinic, and citric acids in ACV potentially kill acne-causing bacteria, remove damaged skin cells, and promote the healthy growth of new cells.
Incorporating ACV into Your Skincare Routine
Using apple cider vinegar provides nourishing benefits, but it must be used correctly so you don’t damage your skin’s delicate acid mantle.
- Cleanse: Wash your face daily with an ACV-based face wash (like Mamaearth’s Apple Cider Vinegar Foaming Face Wash with Salicylic Acid) to eliminate impurities, excess oil, and debris that clog pores.
- Tone: Make your own DIY face toner by diluting one tablespoon of ACV in 50 ml of water. Apply it using a cotton ball, let it sit for no more than 15 minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
- Moisturize: Follow up with an oil-free moisturizer enriched with ACV to lock in hydration and prevent further breakouts.
- Detox: Drinking 1 tablespoon of ACV mixed in a glass of warm water can boost your metabolism and promote a healthy gut, which reflects directly on your skin.
Precautions: ACV contains active acids. Always conduct a patch test on your jawline or wrist before applying it to your face. Never use raw, undiluted ACV directly on your skin, as it can cause chemical burns. Do not leave it on for more than 15 minutes.+1
Summing Up!
Apple cider vinegar has rightly become a favorite in the skincare community. It helps unclog pores, balance pH, clear blackheads, and lighten hyperpigmentation. To avoid the risk of skin irritation from DIY mixes, dermatologists highly recommend opting for professionally formulated, ACV-enriched skincare products that harness the power of natural science without the harsh side effects.
Also Read : 7 Surprising Skin-Plumping Ingredients You’re Missing Out On
