11 Ways Bloggers Use Apple Cider Vinegar in Their Beauty Routines
Those of us who are all about the natural beauty world are already obsessed with eco-friendly kitchen finds like baking soda. Up next on the list? Apple cider vinegar. Though you may be up on the best places to find green skincare products, we know that, like us, you enjoy dabbling in a little DIY. On top of being totally cheap, versatile and easy to find, ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) is a no-brainer for your homemade beauty products.
1. Darkening Hair Rinse: If you like to avoid damaging hair dyes, you may hugely benefit from this recipe from Amanda of Vintage Amanda. Amanda’s hair rinse is for natural brunettes — sorry, blondes. “Simply put dried sage and two black tea bags in a jar,” Amanda says. “Cover with apple cider vinegar. Let sit for 3-4 weeks. Strain off the vinegar into a nice bottle and label.” Once you start using this on the reg, it will become your new fave DIY. Just be sure to keep up with it. “The key with these rinses,” Amanda says, “is that you need to use them regularly, because the hair darkens gradually over time.”
2. Bacne Spray: Because of its balancing and anti-acne properties, ACV makes a great treatment for acne all over. To combat tough-to-reach spots like the back, dilute 3/4 ACV with 1/4 water in a spray bottle. Give it a shake to mix and get to spraying!
3. Skin Brightener:Jillee of One Good Thing by Jillee is all about this recipe for brighter, clearer skin. Simply combine 1/2 ounce ACV, three ounces water and five aspirin tablets. The unique properties of apple cider vinegar make it perfect, she says, for “clearing away excess oil, cleaning out your pores and exfoliating your skin to loosen and help remove dead skin cells.”
4. Internal Detoxer: A number of bloggers swear by taking apple cider vinegar internally to strengthen its beauty and skincare benefits. You could try to drink it straight, but diluting one to two teaspoons in a large glass of water would be much more bearable. Drink it through a straw to avoid harming your enamel. If you just can’t stomach the diluted mixture, try our morning elixir instead. (via Healthy & Natural World)
5. Natural Toner: One super simple way to use ACV is as a toner. Amy Nadine and Kristin Ess of The Beauty Department swear by its magic. Their cheap and easy recipe will definitely suck you into using ACV on the daily. “It tightens pores, helps clear up acne and fights future breakouts. It’s anti-bacterial and an antiseptic and helps to re-balance your skin’s pH level after it’s been disrupted from washing it.” They have yet to find a toner out there that can duplicate these properties.
6. Deodorant Primer:Do you find that your armpits get irritated from deodorant? Caitie of Naturalla Beauty has a secret — apple cider vinegar deodorant primer. “What I do is either mist or wipe down the skin with diluted apple cider vinegar, let that dry completely and then follow with a baking soda deodorant as usual,” Caitie says. “The acidity of the vinegar somehow counters the extreme alkaline nature of the baking soda and helps to prevent a skin reaction.” Say goodbye to red angry pits.
7. Dandruff Treatment:If a case of the flakes is weighing you down, it’s time to hit up two of our favorite natural beauty products: coconut oil and apple cider vinegar. Create a coconut oil mask with this handy tip from Bustle and let it sit while you shower. Then just spray a 50/50 ACV and water combo on your scalp, let sit for 15 minutes and rinse.
8. Moisturizing Hair Rinse:A fan favorite use of apple cider vinegar is the classic hair rinse. Noelle Tarr, founder of Coconuts and Kettlebells, was skeptical before giving the treatment a shot. “Pouring a fermented apple concoction on my head seemed a little out there,” Noelle says. But the benefits speak for themselves. To use Noelle’s recipe, “after shampooing and rinsing hair thoroughly, add the apple cider vinegar, water and essential oil (optional) into an empty mason jar.” Next, Noelle says, “Leaning your head back, pour the rinse over your entire scalp, allowing mixture to run through your hair. Let the mixture sit in hair for 1-2 minutes. Rinse thoroughly.”
9. Spot Treatment:To target zits, dampen a q-tip or cotton ball and dip in ACV. Dab onto the spot and let it sit overnight. Apply every night until the pimple disappears. This works especially well for cystic acne that can pop up around that time of the month.
10. ACV + Honey Mask:Pair apple cider vinegar with honey to create a great clarifying mask with moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Combine 2/3 honey with 1/3 ACV in a mason jar and stir. Rub on skin and let sit for 15 minutes. Then wash with warm water.
11. Hair Clarifier: If your hair has been feeling dull and weighed down, give your scalp a shock by pouring a cup of apple cider vinegar directly over your head in the shower. This breaks down product buildup and leaves you with clean, refreshed hair that’s much more willing to take whatever product you’re giving it.
How do you incorporate ACV into your beauty and skincare routine? Tell us in the comments!
