Apple cider vinegar is an all-purpose kitchen product which can do wonders for your skin. Apple Cider Vinegar is rich in acetic, citric and malic acids as well as vitamins, enzymes, mineral salts and amino acids.
As an antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal agent it will restore the proper pH levels to your skin and the beta-carotene will stop any skin damage.
Beauty Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
1. Prevents Acne and Pimples
It’s a natural therapy with no side effects. It unclogs pores, preventing breakouts and allowing the skin to breathe properly. It helps in creating a protective layer on our skin, and helps in preventing our skin from becoming too dry.
How to use it: Mix 1 part ACV, and 3 parts of water and apply to blemishes. You can add a drop of Tea Tree oil or Oregano oil as well.
2. Balances the Skin pH
The most important benefit of apple cider vinegar for skin care is its ability to restore the balance of our pH factor. Apple cider vinegar has a pH factor of about 4.5 to 5.5, which is close to the ideal pH factor for skin too.
How to use it: Mix 1 part ACV with 4 parts water for your base. For dry skin replace water with chamomile tea or cucumber-infused water (leave several slices of cucumber in the water overnight). For aging skin replace water with green, black or white tea.
3. Reduces Age Spots
Apple cider vinegar contains alpha-hydroxy acids that will remove dead skin and reveal healthy and vibrant new skin.
How to use it: Dab a bit on a cotton ball and place it directly on age spots. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse well. Apply it two times a day.
4. Fights Wrinkles
It rejuvenates your aging skin and removes wrinkles.
How to use it: Soak a cotton pad in the solution and apply it on the skin. Afterward, rinse well with lukewarm water.
5. Removes Toxins
Apple cider vinegar is a diuretic, therefore, it promotes the excretion of toxins and waste.
6. Treats Eczema
Apple cider vinegar contains riboflavin, mineral salts, acetic acid, and vitamin B1, all of which are extremely beneficial for eczema. Using ACV will offer some relief for dryness and itching that accompany with eczema.
How to use it: There are many ways to use ACV for eczema. Here are some of the best ways to make use of the healing properties of ACV.
1. Use Diluted ACV
Ingredients:
2 Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Cup of Water
3 Cotton Balls
Instructions:
Mix the apple cider vinegar and water in a small bowl (for sensitive skin, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to 3 cups of water). Apply it on the eczema using a cotton ball. Repeat this procedure until the eczema is completely treated.
2. Use ACV Orally
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
1 cup of water
Instructions:
Take 1 tsp of ACV and add it to a cup of water. Drink this solution twice a day.
3. Take a Vinegar Bath
Ingredients:
½ cup of ACV
Any moisturizer
Instructions:
Add the ACV to your bathwater. Make sure the water is warm. Mix thoroughly and soak in this water for about half an hour.
4. Drink Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons of ACV
4 of a teaspoon of baking soda
1 cup of water
Instructions:
Take the ACV and add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to it. Mix them well and add 1 cup of water once the fizzing stops. You can also add honey to improve the taste. Drink it on a daily basis.
5. Drink a Mixture of ACV and Honey
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons of ACV
1 teaspoon of honey
1 glass of water
Instructions:
Mix the ingredients well and consume the drink three times a day, before every meal.
Precautions For Using Apple Cider Vinegar
Always dilute ACV, especially if you’re using it to treat eczema in children. This will help prevent burning and stinging sensation to the skin.
Make sure you wash it off completely after applying it to the skin.
Wash off after five minutes if you are a first time user.
When taking it orally, drink through a straw to prevent acidic damage to the teeth.
Avoid using ACV if you’re pregnant.
Apple vinegar increases the skin’s sensitivity to sun rays. So be sure to apply sunscreen lotion.