Vinegar for beauty? Yes! Here are 10 uses for apple cider vinegar

I have an intense curiosity for DIY beauty remedies. If I see an interesting hack and find out from studies and other people’s experiences that it won’t burn my skin or cause more harm than help, I will most likely to try it. That's why it might not come as a surprise that I also jumped on the apple cider vinegar bandwagon. I’ve read a lot of good things about this kitchen item, and here are the best ways to use it!

1. Acne Treatment

I saw a post about using apple cider vinegar for acne and was immediately convinced to try it out. My skin has improved a lot since late last year, when pimples started growing on my face in full force, but I still wanted to know if there’s something that can help in completely eliminating them. 

ACV contains acetic acid, which is milder than the commonly used pimple treatment, salicylic acid. The acid in the vinegar dries out pimples, but not as quickly as products formulated especially for that purpose. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, so your bumps will subside faster.

2. Face Toner

After trying the spot treatment, I wondered what would happen if I put the vinegar all over my face. I found out that you can actually use ACV as a face wash or a toner. Just make sure to dilute it first with water because it's too potent and will sting when used on its own. I mixed three tablespoons of water with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. I soaked a cotton ball in the mixture and applied it all over my face. It didn’t hurt. But it did itch a bit, which was something I expected. When it settled, my skin was surprisingly not dry at all, which was the effect I'd expected. It also felt tighter! The downside is, the smell lingered for a while.

If you’ve read our post on how to even out the skin tone, you may already know that AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) work better than physical exfoliators in removing dead skin cells. Well, guess what? ACV contains AHAs! Aside from acetic acid, it also contains lactic, citric and malic acid, which all work great in exfoliating the skin.

3. Face Mask

Redditors have been raving about the Aztec Secret Healing Clay for years now. When used with apple cider vinegar, the powdered clay (which can be bought for around P400 in Healthy Options) supposedly creates a great mask for people with oily skin. The clay is 100% calcium bentonite clay, which is great for absorbing oils from the face, while the apple cider vinegar has anti-microbial properties. Talk about making a power duo! I have dry skin so I couldn't test if this actually works, but it's a great mask option for oily-skinned gals.

4. Hair Rinse

Washing the hair everyday is something many dermatologists advise against. For days when you can’t use shampoo and conditioner, dry shampoos are the answer. But despite skipping a day or two, there’s still a tendency for product build-up.

Make use of the acetic acid in ACV to remove excess product from your scalp and hair. Jessica Alba swears she does it a couple of times a month to ensure that her hair gets cleansed thoroughly. If you’re gonna try it out, don’t forget to dilute it with water or else the acidity in the ACV will suck out more than just product build-up from your hair.

5. Dandruff Treatment

If you’re suffering from severe dandruff and are close to giving up, don’t just yet! Try using ACV on your scalp first. Soak a cotton ball in ACV and apply it directly onto your scalp a couple of nights a week, and then wash it off the next day. ACV has antiseptic properties, which works great for eliminating dandruff-causing fungi.

6. Foot Soak

While we’re on the subject of fungi, we might as well address the body parts that often house them. If you’ve ever suffered or are still suffering from stinky feet, this is the remedy you’ve been waiting for!

Make a mixture of one part vinegar and two parts water, and soak your feet in it for 15 minutes everyday. If you’re looking to slough off callouses and dry skin from your feet, you can also do a foot. soak using ACV for it. Just use one cup of ACV and two gallons of warm water. Soak your feet for 45 minutes, and your dry skin will soften up. Use a brush or pumice stone to remove the softened dry skin.

7. In the bath

This trick reminds me of when my mom used to put calamansi in my bath water when I was younger to help keep odor at bay. Since ACV has anti-bacterial properties, including it in your bath will definitely do wonders for warding off odor-causing bacteria. Make sure not to use a lot, though, because it can be extremely drying and might irritate your private parts.

8. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Since it’s great at eliminating bacteria, ACV will also work great as a makeup brush cleaner. It will also work well for taking off excess product, just as it does for the hair! Simply mix a cup of warm water with one teaspoon of ACV. Clean your brushes as you would normally do with a brush cleaner, and rinse with water after.

9 and 10. Razor Burn and Sunburn Remedy

If you forgot about our tips to avoid post-hair removal horrors and got razor burn, there’s no need to panic. Just rub a cotton ball soaked in ACV in the area, and you’ll immediately be relieved. ACV has amino acids, which help balance skin’s hydration and calm irritation. The same goes for when you got carried away by activities under the sun and forgot to reapply sunscreen. ACV will work wonders in soothing your skin!

So, the next time you buy a bottle of apple cider vinegar, don’t limit its use to salads or drinks. Try out one of these tricks! You can buy apple cider vinegar at Landmark and SM supermarkets at around P220 per bottle.

Sources: Reader’s Digest, University of Pittsburgh, SheKnows, InStyle