True enough, people are going back to basics by raiding their kitchen for beauty products, which have been proven to actually work. We’re now using mayonnaise for our hair, turmeric for our skin and cucumber for those under eye bags. Then, of course, we have a very common household good that’s a miracle product: apple cider vinegar.
Why Vinegar?
Vinegar has been used for skin car for centuries dating back to the Romans. This compound has a tonic action that irrigates the skin by promoting blood circulation through the small capillaries. It also has antiseptic properties that prevent the formation of bacteria and viruses on the skin. It is also a strong cleansing agent, dissolving grime, dust and dirt as well as fatty deposits on the skin surface, reducing peeling conditions and scale. Of course, it also regulates the pH of the skin to keep it in its healthy state. Here are some great ways to use apple cider vinegar on your skin.
#1 Toner
As a toner, apple cider vinegar or ACV can thoroughly cleanse the skin and reduce inflammation. This is recommended if you have psoriasis or acne. Simply place a few drops on a cotton ball and rub all over the face to minimize blemishes.
#2 Face Mask
Combine equal parts of ACV and healing clay (if that’s not available, use baking soda instead). This will give you a pore cleansing and detoxifying treatment that you can leave on your skin for at least 10 minutes. Rinse and enjoy your squeaky clean face.
#3 Deodorant
This may seem like a weird recommendation, considering that ACV smells putrid to begin with. It does pale in comparison to underarm odor, though, so it is definitely worth a try. Its antibacterial nature will stop your underarm from producing odor. Don’t worry about the sour smell. Let it dry for a few minutes – the smell will neutralize and you won’t notice that it’s there at all!
#4 Skin Fungi Treatment
If you have problems with skin fungi (nail fungus, athlete’s foot, ringworm), then apple cider vinegar can be a good solution. Simply soak or apply the vinegar directly on the affected area at least twice daily. It may sting for a bit, but it will definitely clear up even the strongest cases of fungus. If you are using this on kids, dilute the vinegar with one part water prior to application.
#5 Sunburns
Too much fun in the sun, even with enough sunscreen, may cause sunburn. It is a painful and unfortunate situation to find yourself in, but if you do, simply dilute apple cider with water and pat it on the affected area. You can also run a cold soothing bath and add one cup of vinegar to the water.
#6 Bath Solution
Add at least two capfuls of apple cider vinegar into your warm bath water and slip in. Soak your body for a few minutes to allow toxins to be drawn outside the body. This will tighten, tone and moisturize your skin.
Other Benefits For The Skin
On top of these benefits, it is also rich in alpha hydroxyl acids, which help slough off dead skin cells and reveal younger looking skin. It can also help lighten age spots and sun spots, balance your pH levels, reduce appearance of pores and speed up healing of acne.
If that is not enough, it’s also good to know that it can be used to:
- treat dandruff
- cleanse and remove gunk from hair
- relieve bug bites
- lower blood pressure
- improve digestion
- reduce heartburn and acid reflux
- fight Candida yeast infection
- clean and disinfect surfaces at home
What ACV to Use
There are many bottles of apple cider vinegar in the market, but make sure that you get yourself the unfiltered and raw type. If you can find one with the ‘mother’ then the better. You will know if it has the ‘mother’ if it has strand-like enzymes that tend to settle at the bottom of the liquid.
Experiment, Experiment
If you are just starting, try to experiment with the ratio between your ACV and water. If you find pure vinegar applications to be too strong, then add a little bit of water. There is definitely nothing wrong with experimenting, so try it out to see what suits you best.