Apple Cider Vinegar Can Help Your Acne—But Don't Swipe It On Your Face Straight From The Bottle
There are plenty of at-home skin remedies you can use to score a glowing completion (Praise Mother Nature's dermatology skills, amirite?). Turmeric for a little extra glow? Check. Avocado for a moisture boost? Yes, please. But what about apple cider vinegar for acne? It sounds a little weird—not to mention smelly—but some people swear by it.
First, it's important to note that just because apple cider vinegar is not a scientifically-proven acne treatment, that doesn't mean it won't work, says Sejal Shah, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. It contains a lot of ingredients that derms often recommend for acne (more on that below). "While there haven't been any scientific studies specifically evaluating apple cider vinegar for acne, the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has both antibacterial and keratolytic properties [able to remove skin lesions, like warts or calluses]." In other words, it has the potential to help zap your bumps from the source.
Ellen Marmur, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and founder of MMSkincare, has a similar viewpoint and thinks apple cider vinegar may be helpful with specific types of breakouts. “While I don’t think that apple cider vinegar can actually cure acne, I do believe that the ingredient can help dry out whiteheads.”
To get all the facts on whether ACV (the cool kid abbreviation of apple cider vinegar) will really help your breakout-prone skin, these dermatologists share everything you should to know before trying out apple cider vinegar for your acne.
How can apple cider vinegar help my acne?
ACV contains organic acids, like lactic, citric, malic acids and the acetic acid mentioned above, that may help kill the bacteria that causes acne, says Dr. Marmur. These alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) exfoliate skin, sloughing off dead skin cells to reveal a fresh, new layer of healthy skin.
And thanks to that chemical exfoliation, apple cider vinegar can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars over time. Those dark marks are made up of excess pigment. As you slowly exfoliate off those layers of dead skin cells, the unwanted pigment will go with it.
This not-so-DIY chemical peel can also help improve breakouts and acne scars:
What's the best way to use apple cider vinegar for skin?
Before using it on your face for the first time, try out a test spot to make sure your skin won't have an adverse reaction. If your skin reacts okay, start by mixing one part vinegar with four parts water. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to dilute it even more, and if it doesn't bother you, you can try a stronger concentration of vinegar.
Apply the mixture to your skin (like an apple cider vinegar toner) using a cotton ball. "I suggest leaving it on for for five to 15 minutes and then rinsing it off," says Dr. Shah. "Start with one to three times a week and apply moisture afterwards."
If toner isn’t your thing or you find that it’s too harsh to use all over, Dr. Marmur suggests using apple cider vinegar as an acne spot treatment to dry out individual blemishes. Even when using it in small doses, she still recommends diluting it with water so that it is less acidic on skin.
There is one other option for using ACV for you skin: Apply a product that lists it as an ingredient. Dr. Marmur recommends Volition Apple Cider Vinegar Resurfacing Peel Pads, which also contain glycolic acid, fruit acids and witch hazel to exfoliate and balance skin.
Anything else I should look out for?
Both Dr. Marmur and Dr. Shah agree that you should be careful if you want to work apple cider vinegar into your acne-treatment routine. "Apple cider vinegar can be very irritating to the skin and can even cause chemical burns, so it should definitely be diluted," says Dr. Shah.
Dr. Marmur also notes that ACV is better suited for those with oily skin as drier skin types tends to be more sensitive and could burn more easily. “Applying apple cider vinegar directly to the skin can be especially damaging to those with sensitive skin or open wounds,” she adds.
The bottom line? Apple cider vinegar might work for your acne, but there's also a risk it's too harsh for many skin types. It might be best to stick to other tried-and-true (and less smelly!) acne-fighting methods.
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