Apple cider vinegar is a common type of vinegar made from fermented apple juice. It’s mainly used for culinary purposes and is a popular choice for including in salad dressings, marinades, vinaigrettes, food preservatives, and chutneys. As the name suggests, this type of vinegar is made by crushing apples, then squeezing out the juice.
In recent years, apple cider vinegar has become well-known for its use in the natural health community. Not only can it be used for a number of household cleaning purposes, but it’s also an incredible home remedy for all number of health ailments. One of the more popular uses of apple cider vinegar is as a face treatment for acne, dark spots, and other facial blemishes.How apple cider vinegar treats the face
Apple cider vinegar naturally has an acidic pH, which makes it useful in balancing the pH of the outer skin layer. As a vinegar, it contains acetic acid, which has beneficial antibacterial and keratolytic properties. It also contains malic acid, which is considered a gentle chemical exfoliant.
The properties of apple cider vinegar are thought to provide the following skin benefits:
1. Balances the skin's pH
Experts think that apple cider vinegar can help balance the pH of the outer skin layer, which helps keep your skin functioning optimally. Skin with a balanced pH will produce the right amount of oil and prevent the onset of acne-causing bacteria.
2. Improves hyperpigmentation
The malic acid in apple cider vinegar is thought to be helpful for resolving common hyperpigmentation issues, like dark spots. Malic acid can decrease the production of melanin, which is what gives skin its pigmentation and can lead to dark spots.
3. Eliminates blackheads
Apple cider vinegar is most well-known in the natural health sphere for its anti-bacterial assets and is particularly effective when mixed with baking soda and water to exfoliate and help diminish blackheads.
4. Exfoliates
As we already know, apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, which works well on acne-prone skin as a gentle exfoliation ingredient. Malic acid is thought to unclog the pores and eliminate bacteria that are often responsible for acne outbreaks.
Using apple cider vinegar as a face treatment
If you’re a fan of DIY skincare recipes, you’ll be happy to know that there are a whole host of recipes that use apple cider vinegar as a key ingredient. A few of the ways to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your homemade face products include:
Make an apple cider vinegar face wash
We all know the importance of daily face-washing – it can help to prevent oil, dirt, and other pollutants from building up on the skin’s surface. Using an apple cider vinegar facial cleanser is an effective way to cleanse the skin of bacteria and debris.
To make your own apple cider vinegar face cleanser, combine a quarter cup of liquid castile soap with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Castile soap is known to be gentle on the skin, allowing you to wash and tone your face without any added harsh chemicals.
Create an apple cider vinegar toner
Toners are essential skincare tools for cleansing and tightening the skin and protecting it from bacteria and other impurities. Because apple cider vinegar is an astringent, it works well as a toner when it’s applied to the skin.
Create an apple cider vinegar spot treatment
The simplest way to eliminate blemishes as soon as they appear is with a DIY spot treatment.
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Side Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is generally considered suitable for all skin types, but if you’re using an apple cider vinegar product, make sure to patch test it on your skin beforehand.
Some components of apple cider vinegar can occasionally cause irritation and skin dryness, and studies have found that the acetic acid found in apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns. If you’re worried about the potential side effects of apple cider vinegar, just dilute the liquid with water or coconut oil for a quick fix.
Conclusion
It’s simple to use apple cider vinegar as a home remedy for improving the health of the skin on your face, but if you’d rather not DIY your treatments, you can also buy commercial skincare products that contain apple cider vinegar as an active ingredient.
If not apple cider vinegar, a number of skincare products contain acetic acid, found in many kinds of vinegar, to control the pH balance of the product itself. There are plenty of cleansers, toners, and scrubs available for you to choose from.