We often hear about apple cider vinegar, but what exactly does it do? According to experts, just a small amount can change your entire beauty routine. Here’s how:
If you want to attract flies, honey is your best bet. But if you’re concerned about a clearer complexion and a healthier scalp, then the old saying of vinegar might work. Assuming it’s vinegar made from apples.
While the smell isn’t exactly pleasant, that’s why apple cider vinegar has become so popular in the beauty world. It’s naturally acidic, making it especially beneficial for the skin, scalp, and hair.
Dr. Brendan Camp, a New York dermatologist, explained to Allure that healthy skin has an acidic pH. If you have stressed skin, a small amount of this product can be your secret weapon to calming your skin.
Aside from the science, much of apple cider vinegar’s appeal lies in our familiarity with the ingredient. After all, it’s a truly versatile ingredient that can be used in both skincare and cooking.
The fact that it can be easily stirred into a dressing makes it an absolute favorite. If you count, apple cider vinegar can add a nice flavor to your food and nourish your skin as well—quite a lot of uses!
Speaking of spices: This is the vinegar we’re talking about when we talk about the benefits of apple cider vinegar for skin and hair care. We’re not telling you to dab your cheeks with a cotton swab soaked in balsamic or regular white wine vinegar.
“Simply distilled white wine vinegar sold by the litre in supermarkets is made by fermenting industrial ethanol,” says cosmetic chemist Kelly Dobos.
So it’s not for you. White vinegar also has a higher acetic acid content (5% to 10%) than apple cider vinegar (5% to 6%), which, as we’ll discuss in more detail later, can cause skin irritation.
Ahead, we asked the experts to break down the basics of apple cider vinegar, its benefits for skin and hair, and some products you can try for yourself.
What is apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is made from simple fruit that’s crushed to release the juice. It’s then fermented until it turns into acids – malic acid (from the apples) and acetic acid (the component of vinegar).
Both are, as double-board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jaimie DeRosa tells Allure, alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are a type of chemical exfoliant.
While both have exfoliating benefits, acetic acid and malic acid each have specific properties that work together to alleviate common skin concerns. Acetic acid is naturally antibacterial, so it can be very helpful for preventing rashes like acne, dandruff, eczema, and more.
As Dr. De Rosa points out, malic acid can reduce melanin production. So if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation, apple cider vinegar can be an effective treatment for dark spots.
How does apple cider vinegar affect your skin?
Dr. De Rosa likens the acids in apple cider vinegar that give it its skin-beautifying benefits to “mild chemical exfoliants that gently exfoliate the skin.”
Mild is the key word here—as Dr. Kemp points out, when used properly, apple cider vinegar can help remove invisible dead skin cells, leaving you with a radiant complexion.
The acidity of apple cider vinegar also makes it great for acne-prone skin—its low pH, which can cause acne, helps maintain the skin’s healthy acid mantle, according to Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a dermatologist in Aventura, Florida.
Remember: Balanced skin tends to be more acidic, so a few targeted applications of the product to specific areas can help restore the skin’s pH balance. As Dr. DeRosa mentioned, this can help regulate sebum production and relieve eczema flare-ups.
Also worth mentioning: Thanks to fermentation, apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial properties, which increases its effectiveness in fighting acne.
What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar for my hair and scalp?
You’ve heard it countless times: Your scalp is your skin. That’s why apple cider vinegar is so beneficial for your hair care. Its exfoliating acids reduce oiliness and help remove dirt and product residue from daily activities.
“Because it’s a gentle exfoliant, it helps relieve dandruff,” says Dr. Ciraldo. “Using diluted apple cider vinegar can also remove product residue from the hair shaft, making your hair shinier.”
It’s also effective in treating dandruff. Remember the antibacterial and antifungal properties we mentioned earlier? They also make apple cider vinegar a natural and effective remedy for dandruff, which, according to Dr. Kemp, “can be exacerbated by yeast on the scalp.”
“Overall, it can [promote scalp health by fighting the dead skin cells that cause dandruff, reducing dandruff and allowing you to wear black shirts again,” he says.
The acids in apple cider vinegar have other benefits for your hairline: “They help seal the hair cuticle, preserve hair color, add shine, reduce frizz, and make the hair shaft softer and stronger,” Dr. DeRosa adds. As a result, apple cider vinegar is safe for color-treated hair, too.
What are the risks of using apple cider vinegar?
Before you pick up your next bottle of Bragg’s, you should be a little more cautious. While apple cider vinegar is generally safe to use at home, “be careful because it’s an acid,” warns Dr. DeRosa.
If you’re using apple cider vinegar for the first time or have sensitive skin, try using it on your face first, especially if you’re using it in its unprocessed, natural form. “During the first few weeks of use on the skin, it’s best to rinse it off after 5 to 10 minutes,” advises Dr. Ciraldo.
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar from Prague
If you use pure apple cider vinegar, we recommend diluting it with water before applying it to your body. “The risk of using apple cider vinegar is primarily in the high concentration, which means it could cause burns if used incorrectly,” explains Dr. DeRosa.
Always do a skin test beforehand to make sure you’re not allergic to it. If you’re allergic to the malic acid in apples, for example, you could have an unexpected reaction.
Ciraldo and every other dermatologist we spoke to note that, similar to other chemical peels, you need to be careful about other products in your routine when using apple cider vinegar.
Mixing it with other acids or retinol could irritate your skin. So, if you want to use apple cider vinegar in your daily routine, avoid using scrubs.
It’s very possible to overdose, so as mentioned above, be sure to give your skin a break between apple cider vinegar treatments. Otherwise, you could miss out on all the beneficial benefits.
“Overuse can cause dryness, redness, itchiness, and inflammation,” says Dr. Kemp. “Similar to hair, overuse can remove too much of the oil that covers the hair shaft, causing scalp irritation or frizz.”
In short: moderation is key. “It’s generally recommended not to use exfoliants more than two to three times a week.” Otherwise, they can strip the skin of important moisturizing oils and increase the risk of irritation.
How can I incorporate apple cider vinegar into my daily routine?
How you use apple cider vinegar depends on your overall skin or hair goals. “On the skin, apple cider vinegar can be used as a cleanser, acne treatment, toner, and exfoliant,” says Dr. Kemp. There are countless products that contain apple cider vinegar in varying concentrations.
“Pay attention to the ingredient list to see if it contains acetic acid or vinegar,” advises Dobos. “It should be one of the first five ingredients and definitely not a preservative.”
If labeled as a fruit extract, the acetic acid is further diluted in a solvent like glycerin or is present in the product at only a few percent.
Apple Biotic Apple Cider Vinegar Renewing Cleanser
Boscia Renewing Treatment Toner
Rose Breakthrough
As far as daily use is concerned, Apple Biotic’s Apple Cider Vinegar Renewing Cleanser is a recommended cleanser, according to Dr. Ciraldo. As the next step in your skincare routine, Dr. DeRosa and Dr. Camp use Boscia Reconstructive Treatment Toner to brighten your skin with the power of AHAs and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs).
Dr. Camp also recommends Rosen Skincare Break-Out Spot Treatment to fight acne fast. “It has a paste-like consistency and a minty scent,” he says. “It contains antimicrobial ingredients like zinc oxide, apple cider vinegar, and peppermint oil.”
For hair, Dr. DeRosa and Dr. Ciraldo use R+Co Acid Wash ACV rinse, while Shari Sperling, MD, a dermatologist in Florham Park, New Jersey, prefers DpHue’s ACV Conditioner.
Between washes and after workouts, Dr. Camp’s Sunday II Sunday’s Root Refresh Micellar Rinse. “It removes sweat and oil with micellar water and apple cider vinegar, leaving hair clean and fresh.”
R+Co Acid Wash ACV Cleansing Rinse
dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Conditioner
Sunday || Sunday Root Refresh
If you prefer to eat raw, all the doctors we spoke to recommended Bragg’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Be sure to dilute it with water here, too. “Many older patients buy Bragg’s and apply it to their arms or…it also works well on other dry, flaky areas, just rinse for 10 minutes,”
Dr. Ciraldo says, noting that she’s received positive feedback from her customers. “Plus, it’s very affordable.”