Apple cider vinegar has long been recognized as boasting a broad range of health benefits. From lowering bad cholesterol to boosting immunity, this simple, natural and incredibly low-cost solution has proven to be a powerful addition to a person’s general, self-maintenance routine.
This is especially true for those who regularly experience breakouts of blackheads, whiteheads and even cystic acne. There are countless ways to use apple cider vinegar for acne and to create a clearer, smoother and overall healthier complexion.
Why Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne?
One of the top reasons to use apple cider vinegar is its inherent astringent properties. Many store-bought astringents contain large amounts of alcohol and other chemical agents that can be incredibly drying to the skin.
Surprisingly, although acne is largely associated with the production of excess oils and sebum that clog and block the pores, making the skin overly dry can contribute to the development of acne as well. That’s because the oil glands often go into overdrive whenever the skin becomes excessively dry.
Apple cider vinegar has the power to eliminate harmful, acne-causing bacteria, without damaging or drying the topmost layers of the skin. Thus, users can get all of the cleansing, toning and skin tightening benefits of an exceptional toner, without upsetting the natural balance of oil and sebum production.
The Many Benefits Of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne
This solution not only kills the bacteria that causes pimples to erupt, but it also functions as a natural detoxifier which is capable of addressing the harmful toxins and free radicals that age the skin, diminish it’s vibrant glow and undermine its overall health.
Apple cider vinegar or ACV additionally exfoliates the topmost layers of the dermis to remove impurities and dead skin cells without the need for harsh, abrasive treatments. ACV contains a considerable amount of alpha-hydroxy acid as well, which stimulates the production of new and healthier skin cells by gently eroding damaged layers away.
This particular benefits can be helpful for both the elimination of acne and the reduction of mild to moderate acne scarring. Finally, using this solution is a great way to instantly restore proper pH to the skin for continued balance in ongoing oil production.
The Pain Relieving Properties OF ACV
Not only can apple cider vinegar diminish or even eliminate acne breakouts, but it can also address some of the associated discomfort. This is especially important for those who suffer from cystic acne or large, painful and pus-filled bumps.
This natural astringent is known for dramatically reducing swelling, inflammation, itching and general discomfort. Best of all, its pain relieving properties can have near-instant effects.
Finding The Best Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne
When using apple cider vinegar to treat the skin, however, it is important to only use a vinegar that is raw, organic and unfiltered. This is the most potent and highest quality ACV on the market. As such, it is also the very best ACV to use in home remedies.
Raw, unfiltered and organic apple cider vinegar will always have the mother of the vinegar. This is a milky white substance that is typically found at the bottom of the bottle and that looks very similar to a floating cobweb.
The vinegar mother has all of the ingredients for supporting health and well-being. It is teeming with a vast range of beneficial bacteria and vital nutrients. Thus, attempting this remedy with a substandard, filtered and highly processed vinegar is unlikely to provide acceptable results.
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar To Treat Acne
There are several ways to apply apple cider vinegar to the skin for the treatment of acne. A quality ACV is an excellent standalone product for this purpose.
You can simply soak a cotton ball in this mixture and then apply it as a toner or astringent immediately after washing the face and before moisturizing. It is also possible to mix ACV with an equal amount of water and place the mixture in a spray bottle for misting the face before bed. ACV can even be mixed with raw honey for a tacky, but incredibly effective toning mask.
Finally, ACV can be mixed into a paste using baking soda and finely ground sea salt to produce a powerful, exfoliating scrub.
When using apple cider vinegar to treat blackheads, whiteheads or cystic acne, the skin should always be rinsed clean with fresh, cool water no more than 20 minutes after application. It is also important to use a light, water-based moisturizer afterwards, as an additional measure against excessive dryness.
It is important to note, however, that while ACV is a safe, affordable and natural solution for the topical treatment of acne, this product does not address the many internal problems that can serve as the cause of breakouts unless it is also used internally. These include hormonal imbalance, internal infection, stress, unhealthy life habits, follicle infection and more. Due to this fact, ACV may be best used as part of an individualized and integrated, acne treatment plan.
