5 Ways You Can Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

Dab it, wash it, rinse it — there’s so much ACV can do for clear, glowing skin!

We were all told that our teenage acne would go away with age. For many of us, this claim went the way of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny – it’s a nice thought, but ultimately a total fantasy.

Adult acne has a number of causes, from genetics to hormones to climate. Fortunately, many of us have found our way to clear, glowing skin by using apple cider vinegar for acne.

Best of all, apple cider vinegar can be used in different ways depending on your skin type. For oily skin, you can use apple cider vinegar as a daily face wash. If you suffer from unsightly blemishes every now and then, a spot treatment might be just what your skin needs.

Let’s jump into 5 ways you can use apple cider vinegar for acne, starting today!

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful all-natural treatment for acne because it contains four bacterial-killing, skin-soothing acids: acetic, citric, lactic, and succinic. These organic acids each play a role in healing and purifying your skin.

Moreover, apple cider vinegar contains amino acids and mineral salts. Despite its harsh scent, it’s totally gentle and safe to use on most skin.

Everyday Face Wash

All four organic acids have been shown to kill the bacteria that causes acne, known as Propionibacterium acnes, or P. acnes.

By using apple cider vinegar as a face wash twice daily, you can prevent bacteria from building up and causing breakouts.

Simply rinse your face with warm water and pat it dry. Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 4 tablespoons of water and massage the mixture onto your face. Rinse with warm water, then cold water to close your pores.

You can also find cruelty-free face washes that use apple cider vinegar alongside other cleansing and exfoliating ingredients, such as WOW Organic Face Wash.

Spot Treatment

If you’re unwilling to coat your whole face in this potent smelling ingredient, you can still get the bacteria-destroying benefits of apple cider vinegar by using it as a spot treatment.

Apple cider vinegar is anti-inflammatory. When a pimple starts to grow, it gets red and irritated. It inflames the surrounding skin, which makes it difficult for your pore to push out excess oil, debris, and bacteria.

Apple cider vinegar reduces that initial inflammation and penetrates your pore to kill bacteria and aid in your skin’s ability to expel build up.

To use apple cider vinegar for acne blemishes, start by wetting a cotton swab with apple cider vinegar. Dab it on the blemish as soon as it appears.

After your nightly cleansing routine, dab apple cider vinegar on the blemish again before bed. If all goes well, you should wake up with a reduced blemish in the morning.

Chemical Peel

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent exfoliator that can brighten scars caused by acne. Acetic acid and malic acid help to dissolve dead skin cells that may be clogging pores. They also lift away scar tissue, reducing the appearance of scars.

You can make your own apple cider vinegar mask by combining one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with half a cup of organic applesauce, or try it with the Aztec Clay Mask.

Apply the mask and leave it on for 15 minutes. Then, rinse. Use cold water to tighten your pores. This mask is gentle and rich in amino acids, so you can do this all-natural chemical peel at home 2-3 times per week.

Cruelty-free beauty brand Majestic Pure makes a mud mask utilizes apple cider vinegar for acne prone skin.

Lotion or Cream

Those of us with oily skin know how difficult it is to find a moisturizer that doesn’t cause us to break out. A touch of apple cider vinegar in your lotion may make all the difference!

Apple cider vinegar supports your skin’s acid mantle. When you moisturize with a lotion that is on the base end of the pH spectrum, you reduce your skin’s natural ability to fight off bacteria. Apple cider vinegar is naturally acidic, helping you moisturize while maintaining your skin’s natural defenses.

Check out cruelty-free AppleBiotic’s ACV Probiotic Night Cream for a healthy pH balanced lotion.

Astringent & Toner

When you feel oil starting to build up on your skin, it’s time to take action.

Apple cider vinegar for acne is a natural astringent that absorbs oil and kills bacteria that may be collecting in it. It also tones skin and closes pores to prevent debris from clogging them.

After a day in the city, use a cotton pad and a splash of diluted apple cider vinegar to wipe away dirt, oil, debris, and dead skin cells. You can also use it to close freshly cleaned pores after a shower or before bed.

Or, try these cruelty-free and vegan face wipes that use apple cider vinegar for acne, along with skin toning witch hazel, tea tree oil, and lavender.

How to Choose the Right Apple Cider Vinegar

As we mentioned above, apple cider vinegar is strongly acidic. No matter what apple cider vinegar for acne you choose, always be sure to dilute it in four parts water.

We recommend getting the full benefits of apple cider vinegar for acne by choosing an organic variety of ACV with the “mother” intact. The mother is an amalgamation of probiotics, resulting from the fermenting process that turns apple juice into vinegar. Bragg’s makes a raw, nutrient rich, organic apple cider vinegar for acne that contains the mother.

Even clean, cruelty-free products can interact adversely with unique skin types. So as with any new product, always be sure to do a patch test before you begin your apple cider vinegar journey!