Apple cider vinegar benefits practically everything from your head to your toes! But today we’re going to focus on how it can rescue your hair and skin; buckle up because it’s a long list!
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Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits for Hair
The higher alkaline pH a shampoo has, the more likely you are to experience cuticle damage, frizz, and dry hair. The acidity in apple cider vinegar counteracts alkaline pH, which in turn helps smooth unruly strands and boost shine! (Source)
ACV works wonders for dry scalp, dandruff, and excess oil. It also does a great job of removing buildup from other haircare products like heat protector sprays, hairspray or gels. Clarifying ingredients like apple cider vinegar are your best friend when you need to really deep clean your tresses.
ACV Shampoo by Maple Holistics
Maple Holistics sent over their Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo so that I could put it to the test. They are a cruelty-free brand with recycled packaging and focus on ethical buying.
From the brand: Remove buildup, restore volume and boost shine with our apple cider vinegar shampoo. ACV provides a variety of benefits for hair and scalp alike. Enriched with natural ingredients like sunflower, argan and jojoba oil, our apple cider vinegar shampoo is sulfate and paraben-free making it great for all hair types, color treated hair, and sensitive skin.
My thoughts on ACV Shampoo
I’ve always reached for clarifying shampoos over the years so this ACV infused shampoo was just what the doctor ordered for my oily prone and frizzy locks. You can definitely smell the ACV in the bottle; no frilly floral scents here!
This left my hair feeling thoroughly cleansed without stripping it and gave it a nice shine as well which was the cherry on top. I’ll definitely be getting another bottle or two; it’s been a long time since I had a product give such lovely results so quickly! You can learn more about Maple Holistics on their site here and you can pick up the ACV Shampoo here.
Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits in Skin Care
Is ACV too powerful to use for skincare? Michael Kassardjian, a board-certified dermatologist at Coast Dermatology in Torrance, CA told Men’s Health in his 2019 interview: “Apple Cider Vinegar must be used with caution on the skin, as it may cause major irritation when applied topically without being diluted, leading to burns or blisters,” says Dr. Kassardjian.
“It really depends on what area you are using it, for what you are using it, and how sensitive your skin is,” says Dr. Kassardjian. “I would say (to dilute it) at least one part ACV to four parts water, but if you have sensitive skin it is better to start closer to one part ACV to ten parts water.“
“It can be used as a toner because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It consists of acetic acid and alpha hydroxy acid,” says Dr. Kassardjian. Apple cider vinegar is created when apple cider is fermented with yeast and other helpful bacteria. The fermentation process creates a compound called acetic acid. “Acetic acid has keratolytic effects, basically helping unplug blocked pores. And alpha hydroxy acid helps to exfoliate the skin and help in smoothing and improving skin texture, and also helps to absorb excess oils of the skin.” (Source)
Does ACV exfoliate skin?
Apple cider vinegar contains Malic Acid which is part of a family of fruit acids, called alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs help exfoliate away dead skin cells and encourage new skin cell growth. Malic acid is also a humectant! This means it helps your skin retain moisture and stay hydrated.
ACV is also high in pectin, a polysaccharide that occurs naturally in apples. (Source) Apple pectin is packed with vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Potassium. This vitamin dense compound promotes skin new cell growth, re-enforces your skin barrier and helps fight free radicals!
DIY ACV Toner Recipe
Apple cider vinegar is a powerhouse of skin care benefits! It’s a natural astringent, antibacterial, and helps to balance out of whack pH levels. If you like the sound of this you’ll also love the sound of using Tamanu oil as a moisturizer. It’s also a natural antibiotic and anti-inflammatory! You can read more about Tamanu oil in my article here. ACV is the perfect ingredient for an all natural DIY toner. Here’s a super simple two ingredient recipe:
- 1 Cup Witch Hazel (make sure it’s alcohol free!)
- 3 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
You can either mist this directly on the face or apply with a cotton round to enjoy the countless benefits of apple cider vinegar in your skin care routine. Need help hammering out the rest of your perfect skin care routine? Take my 6 question quiz for tailored product suggestions for your skin type here.
Do you use apple cider vinegar in your skincare or hair care routines? Let me know down in the comments!