Apple Cider Vinegar will do amazing things for acne.  It can aid with loads of other benefits, but I especially like it as a natural acne zapper.

Let’s clear the air, apple cider vinegar smells, really strong.  It’s a strong odor.  That’s the biggest con of using this in your beauty routine.  I find though that a nice lavender essential oil is a really nice mix with apple cider vinegar in my recipes, no joke!

I frequently use apple cider vinegar (ACV) in many recipes.  It’s an essential when mixing with Bentonite Clay, my hair de-tangler (recipe coming soon!), hair masks and detox baths.  Not only is apple cider vinegar great for gut health and balancing your PH, but it’s said to also transfer similar benefits when used topically.

The strong apple cider vinegar smell is worth it!  I noticed a noticeable improvement to skin after using it for a week.  It made a special difference to my acne. 

**If you have sensitive or overly dry skin, please consult your dermatoligist.  The apple cider vinegar may cause your skin to be overly dry, pair it with a good moisturizer.  I use vitamin c serum and retinol E cream

 

What kind of Apple Cider Vinegar should I use?

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a common staple at your local grocery store.  You will probably find large 2L of Heinz ACV.  Don’t use this.

I only use this Apple Cider Vinegar that is first, organic, and second that has the mother.
5 Recipes to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne 15 Recipes to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne 2

What the heck is the mother?

Simply put, with the mother is unrefined, unfiltered and unpasteurized.  That means all the good stuff is left in the apple cider vinegar instead of filtered out.  If you have ever seen Kombucha being made, it’s similar to the scoby of Kombucha, a colony of beneficial bacteria.

You can easily tell the difference between ACV with the mother, as it looks merky and a residue at the bottom of the jar can be seen.  Always shake before use.  Without the mother, it will be clear and look fully mixed.

 

Benefits of Using Apple Cider Vinegar in your Skin Routine:

  • Reduce acne and acne scars
  • Help minimize the appearance of pores
  • Balance PH level of skin, an unbalance causes oily or dry skin
  • Lightens sun and age spots
  • Rich in natural alpha hydroxy acids
  • Antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral
  • Removes excess oil and dirt

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

my 5 Favorite Recipes with Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne:  

 

1. Bentonite Clay and Apple Cider Vinegar Face Mask

 

Bentonite plus Apple Cider Vinegar Clay Mask

Bentonite Clay is an amazing clay for acne, that has super strength detox abilities.  It absorbs impurities like toxins, heavy metals, bacteria and chemicals.  All things that when trapped in your pores cause acne.

Bentonite is not the same without apple cider vinegar.  This clay has a very high alkaline level, so when mixed with water, it creates a watery, clumpy clay mixture.  The first couple times I tried this clay this is the result I got, I was about to give up before I read to mix it with apple cider vinegar instead.  Oh wow!  That changed everything.

The recipe is so simple, mix 1 tablespoon bentonite clay with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of water.  I use half and half because otherwise the apple cider is too strong to leave chillin on my face. Boom, this makes an acne fighting, strong detoxifying clay mask.  This is my go-to for an acne fix.

There are so many types of clay masks available. I can’t find them at my local stores, so I order this one from Amazon.  It comes in an assortment pack, from facial clay masks, so while you are trying the bentonite clay mask, you can also try some other types of clay.

5 Recipes to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne 35 Recipes to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne 4

If you are having an acne crisis, short or long term, try this mask for 2-3 days in a row.  Skip this is you have sensitive skin.  Make sure to moisturize during those couple days and no more than 5 days in a row.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Scarlett Johnason swears by apple cider vinegar. In her words “it’s a little bit stinky but if your not sleeping over at your boyfriends house, it’s really effective!”.  Source: Glamour

Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water for a 1:2 ratio.  Using a cotton ball, apply a small amount as a toner to your face after your cleanser.  You can choose to use this diluted mixture as a cleanser for your face as well.

Optionally you can dilute with chamomile in place of water.  I find this masks the scent a bit and makes it a bit more soothing.

Using apple cider vinegar as my toner, I have noticed my pores have shrunk and less frequent break outs.

The same benefit the apple cider brings to the bentonite clay above, the acidity level of the ACV helps to maintain a proper PH level.  ACV has a PH level of 3.0, so it’s important to dilute it with water, PH level of 7, to balance out your skin.  Alkaline balance is thought to reduce cancer, and have a whole host of alkaline health benefits.  After reading more about the importance of a balancing alkalinity in your body, I know only drink alkaline water

3. Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey, Peppermint Face Mask

 

Apple Cider Vinegar Honey Peppermint Mask

Honey is one of my go-to DIY face mask essential ingredients.  It’s soothing but at the same time removes dead cells and impurities from your skin.   But I don’t like honey by itself.

For this mask mix:

  • 2 tablespoon of honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon distilled water
  • 4-5 drops of peppermint
  • 1 tablespoon of Kaolin Clay (optional) 

4. Apple Cider Vinegar plus Baking Soda for Blackheads

 

Apple Cider Vinegar plus Baking Soda to Destroy Blackheads

 

 As a baker, you are in luck! Baking soda plus apple cider vinegar is a surprisingly simple yet effective black head buster.   

Blackheads are a clogged pore as a result of excess sebum that creates the black pore and hard interior.  Oily skin types commonly suffer from black heads and large pores.   Apple Cider Vinegar works to clean out your pores and tightens the pore, therefore reducing those pesky blackheads.  

Having oily skin, I suffer from blackheads in a major way, but also from major mountain sized pimple breakouts.  If I had to pick my poison it would definitely be blackheads.  There is something satisfying about pulling out a blackhead that I don’t get from popping a pimple.  TMI!

Mix equal parts ACV and baking soda together to form a paste.   Using a face mask brush or your fingers, apply to your face.  Leave on for approximate 15 to 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water.  

5. Freeman Apple Cider Vinegar Clay Mask


From Ulta • $4.29 or get the price on Amazon.

Mixing up their own face care treatment is not for everyone.  You might not have the ingredients in the house or prefer the ease of use in a pre made product.  Freeman to the rescue! Probably one of the most popular drug store facial mask brands that has been around for forever, so they are definitely doing something right.

Get the freeman apple cider vinegar clay mask on Amazon.

 

I challenge you to a 7 day Apple Cider Vinegar Challenge!  Take one or all of these methods and use atleast one of these each day for 7 days and see how your skin reacts and heals.  I have seen from other before and after the results can be really amazing, not too mention my own.   Post your results below!!

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like the best clays for acne or my favorite DIY face masks

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for your Skin
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