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There are several properties of ACV that
make it ideal for promoting healthy skin.
Cider vinegar is rich in alpha hydroxy
acids. These acids help break down fatty
deposits in the skin, enhance exfoliation
(removing that top layer of dead skin cells
before they can clog your pores), and
increase collagen production, thus giving
your skin a smooth and healthy texture. ACV
also works to balance your skin's pH
levels, which makes it a great toner. If
that's not enough, it even has antibacterial
properties and functions as a strong
astringent, effectively reducing redness and
swelling.
So
what's the catch?
There are a few drawbacks to apple cider
vinegar, though these shouldn't stop you
from trying it if you use the treatment
smart. People with sensitive skin should be
wary, as ACV can over-dry your skin and end
up causing redness and irritation, rather
than reducing it. Your skin may adjust over
time, but it's probably a good idea to start
with a light application on an isolated
spot, just to judge your sensitivity (this
mainly applies to pure ACV; if you are
mixing it with clay or other ingredients, it
should be less harsh). It will also increase
your susceptibility to sun damage, so avoid
using it before spending time outdoors.
On a more cosmetic note, apple cider vinegar
is not exactly appealing when it comes to
scent or taste. It has a strong, unpleasant
smell, and the flavor may make you gag if
you try to drink it straight. This is
especially true of organic apple cider
vinegar, which brings us to our next topic:
Organic is better for your skin
(but it tastes and smells worse)
Apple cider vinegar is fairly easy to come
by. If you don't have some already, you can
probably find it at your local grocery
store. But wait! Should you use regular or
organic? While both can potentially help
your skin, organic ACV is definitely
better. It has a much higher
concentration of enzymes, along with a lower
dose of the added chemicals that your skin
doesn't need. You can always tell organic
apple cider vinegar by its darker, cloudy
consistency, versus the pale, clear
appearance of the processed stuff.
How to
use it
There are literally hundreds of different
recipes out there for what to do with apple
cider vinegar, but here are a few of the
basics:
Straight
- First off, pure ACV can be applied to your
face directly (though you may want to dilute
it if you have sensitive skin). Apply a
small amount to a cotton ball or swab, and
then dab this on your acne blemishes once or
twice per day.
Spot Treatment
- Another technique is to mix a small amount
of ACV with mint julep clay, creating a
paste that works well as a natural spot
treatment.
Toner
- As its benefits suggest, ACV works well as
a toner. Mix 1 part apple cider vinegar with
8 parts water, then apply to your face after
washing (splash it on or use a cotton ball
for more control).
Facial Mask
- ACV also makes for a great home acne
treatment mask. Mix 1 teaspoon of apple
cider vinegar with 2 teaspoons of
freshly-brewed green tea, add 5 teaspoons of
sugar and 1 more of honey, stir well, then
massage onto your face (after washing) and
let sit for 10-15 minutes before gently
rinsing off.
Drink
- You don't have to use ACV topically. Some
find it even more effective when taken
internally. Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider
vinegar with a glass of warm water or tea,
add 1 teaspoon of honey (for taste), and
drink 2 glasses per day (1 in the morning
and 1 at night).
Supplement
- Still hate the taste? You can actually buy
apple cider vinegar supplements and take
them instead. However, since the contents
are a little less bioavailable, I'd
recommend taking a tablet in the morning,
afternoon and night for best results.
Hope that helps! Apple cider vinegar is
definitely one of the better home acne
remedies out there. It may not change your
body's oil regulation or eliminate deep
cysts, but since many of its applications
are easy and inexpensive, it's certainly
worth giving a shot.
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