Apple Cider Benefits for Skin and for Hair

Apple cider vinegar is an inexpensive beauty ingredient, and it's wonderful for both your hair and your skin.  Use it as a natural toner or for a rinse for your hair for softer and smoother hair.  Learn more about apple cider benefits for skin and hair and how to use it for natural beauty.

Apple Cider Vinegar Beauty Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is one of those natural beauty ingredients that doesn't get enough love.  Sure, maybe it doesn't smell so great, but the smell goes away pretty quickly.

I have curly hair, so it tends to get frizzy and unmanageable.   Using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse does wonders for my hair and helps it stay soft and manageable.  

Keep reading for apple cider vinegar beauty benefits and how to use it in DIY recipes.

For more natural beauty ideas, check out these posts:

• Carrier Oils and Their Benefits
• Natural Butters for Hair and Skin
• Honey Benefits for Skin and Hair
• Kaolin Clay Benefits for Skin
• Best Carrier Oils for Skin
• Best Carrier Oils for Hair
• Chia Seed Benefits for Skin and Hair
• Beauty Benefits of Activated Charcoal
• Plantain Benefits for Skin and Hair

Which Apple Cider Vinegar to Use for Apple Cider Beauty Benefits

You'll want to use apple cider vinegar and not white vinegar or distilled vinegar for your hair and skin.  Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple juice.  

Apple cider vinegar and white vinegar both contain acetic acid, but ACV has about 5 to 6 percent acetic acid while white vinegar has about 5 to 10 percent acetic acid.  

I recommend using raw apple cider vinegar.  This is the unpasteurized and unfiltered version.  It looks cloudy and contains some sediments, which is why you'll want to shake it before using.  

These  sediments are called the Mother.  The Mother has enzymes, good bacteria, and proteins that have benefits for your hair and skin.

You can learn how to make apple cider vinegar from scratch with apple scraps.  This will have the Mother in it, and it's practically free to make!

If I buy it, I use Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother.  It's easy to find at most grocery stores.

You can also make herbal apple cider vinegar to get the benefits of the herbs and the ACV.  Use it in the same amounts in apple cider vinegar beauty recipes.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits For Skin

There are plenty of apple cider vinegar benefits for skin that you can take advantage of. ACV is a useful product to have on hand for all sorts of cosmetic purposes. 

Following are some of the best and most popular apple cider vinegar benefits for skin. 

Reduces Acne.  ACV can help to reduce acne on your face and neck. It does this because apple cider vinegar helps to reduce keratin, which is the protein that builds up and causes acne. ACV is best for acne on oily skin as there is less chance of the skin drying out too much. 

Minor Skin Infections. Soaking skin in apple cider vinegar can help to alleviate skin infections such as athlete's foot and paronychia, which is a buildup of infection around fingernails. ACV can help treat toenail infections and facial infections as well.

Eczema or Psoriasis.  Apple cider vinegar can be used to kill bacteria that might affect irritated areas of the skin. Having eczema means the skin fails to build a good barrier that would otherwise protect the skin from bacteria. ACV can be used to help prevent infection, but should not be used directly on eczematic areas. This is because it will burn a lot and cause the skin to dry.

Cleansing.  Apple cider vinegar is a great way to cleanse your face to get rid of dirt, debris, and bacteria.  

Toner. Apple cider vinegar is a natural astringent, so it works as an effective toner for your skin.  Use it after cleansing to shrink pores naturally. 

I do want to note that apple cider vinegar needs to be diluted before using it on your skin. 

Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar On My Face?

Yes, you can use apple cider vinegar on your face. In fact, there are many apple cider vinegar benefits for skin. Apple cider vinegar has many uses. As you can use it as a face wash, toner, or even as a spot treatment. 

Many people use ACV as a toner to help tighten their skin and protect it from harmful elements that one might be at risk towards throughout their day. 

This not only helps keep your face clean, but it also helps to preserve your skin's health. 

Why Is My Face Red After Using Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, like white vinegar, is acidic. As such, overuse or misuse can be harmful to your skin. Overusing ACV can remove the first layer of your skin leaving it dry and red. 

As such, you should always be careful when using ACV on your face, and be sure to never overuse it.  Always dilute it, and you can dilute it to a lower percent if you experience redness or irritation.

Can Apple Cider Vinegar Remove Dark Spots?

Yes, ACV can help to whiten your skin and remove dark spots. This is one of the many apple cider vinegar benefits for skin. ACV may help to lighten the overall pigmentation of your skin.

To use ACV for this purpose, you will want to combine equal parts ACV and water in a container and apply to dark spots. Let it sit for five to seven minutes before rinsing. 

How Do You Use Apple Cider Vinegar As A Toner?

You can use ACV and water or ACV, water, and witch hazel to make a toner.  Use it after cleansing to remove more debris from your skin.  

Before each use of the toner be sure to shake the mixture well. You will want to store it in a cool and dry place. Further, you will want to make a new mixture about every month. 

Skincare Recipes Using Apple Cider Vinegar 

There are plenty of recipes that use ACV that you can take advantage of. Following are some of my favorite skincare recipes that use apple cider vinegar:

• Lilac Infused Toner Recipe
• After Sun Spray Recipe
• Pumpkin Peel for Oily Skin
• Homemade Deodorant Spray
• Rose Petal Vinegar
• DIY Micellar Water
• Homemade Poison Ivy Gel

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for Hair 

There are many apple cider vinegar benefits for hair. ACV is a popular product for hair care, as it is cheap and easy to use. Following is a quick list of some of the apple cider vinegar benefits for hair that you can take advantage of.

Balancing pH.  Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, so it's mildly acidic.  When hair gets too alkaline, it gets frizzy and looks dull.  Lowering the pH can help hair look shiny again.

Vitamins and Minerals. ACV has vitamins B and C to nourish the hair.  It also has trace amounts of other vitamins and minerals.

Antimicrobial.  Apple cider vinegar is often used to reduce fungus and bacteria, including those on the scalp or skin.  

Seal the Cuticle.  Apple cider vinegar can seal the cuticle, which reduces frizz and makes hair look shiny.  It can also strengthen the air and prevent breakage.  This is temporary, so you'll have to use every time you wash.

Color Treated Protection.  Since apple cider vinegar seals the cuticle, it can help protect color and prevent fading.

How Do I Use Apple Cider Vinegar On My Hair?

It is easy to use apple cider vinegar in your hair. Plus, there are many apple cider vinegar benefits for hair. 

You can get apple cider vinegar benefits for hair by using a spray or rinse or using it in DIY recipes.  

You will need to dilute the ACV with water so the pH is correct for your hair.

Do You Put Apple Cider Vinegar On Wet Or Dry Hair?

Typically, it is recommended that you only use ACV on wet hair while you are in the shower. This way it can easily be rinsed out once you are done. 

How Long Should I Leave Apple Cider Vinegar On My Hair?

Typically, you should only leave apple cider vinegar on your hair for a few minutes, as prolonged exposure can dry out your hair.

It is important to remember that apple cider vinegar is acidic, and many of its benefits stem from its ability to remove harmful substances and not by adding good substances to your hair or skin.

As such, it is important to factor in the dryness of your skin or hair when using apple cider vinegar recipes. One of the best things about making diy ACV recipe,s however, is that you can control how much ACV to water there is in the recipe. 

How Often Should I Use Apple Cider Vinegar On My Hair?

Typically speaking, you can use apple cider vinegar about three to four times a week. However, if you have dry hair you may want to use ACV only once or twice a week. 

Apple cider vinegar is good for removing harmful buildup of various things on the skin and hair, but also can remove good stuff if overused. Always be careful when using ACV as to not strip your hair or skin of their natural protective layers. 

Hair Care Recipes Using Apple Cider Vinegar

There are plenty of recipes that use apple cider vinegar for your hair that you can take advantage of.

 Following are some of the most popular recipes that take advantage of apple cider vinegar benefits for hair.

• Rosemary and Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
• Easy Hair Masks for Dry, Damaged Hair
• DIY Hair Masks
• Yerba Mate Hair Rinse Recipe
• Clary Sage Hair Rinse Recipe
• DIY Micellar Water for Hair

Now you know the apple cider vinegar beauty benefits and how to use it for your skin and hair!

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