Apple cider vinegar is very controversial as a remedy. Science has studied some of its health benefits, while others are only known by popular wisdom.
These health benefits include that It can significantly improve the appearance of our skin, nails, and hair, helping us combat conditions such as fungi, acne, and hair fragility.
A little bit of history
The Old Testament and Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, reported using ACV mixed with honey to combat infection and protect open skin wounds.
Each time the benefits of this product are known more and better. Many advise consuming it to lose weight. Others recommend it to recover the intestinal flora and improve the balance of our microbiota. But did you know that thanks to these properties, it can incredibly correct the appearance of your skin, hair, and nails?
Indeed, apple cider vinegar helps us heal from the inside out. And we can also add it to our homemade beauty care products using it topically.
So, today I want to tell you about some of its excellent properties. It has particularly helped me a lot with acne. And I will tell you how I use it in my beauty routine.
Check the video for more details about this topic:
Apple cider vinegar health benefits.
Apple cider vinegar has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal, and disinfectant properties thanks to its malic and acetic acid. It also contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that help remove dead skin cells.
This vinegar is rich in flavonoids, potassium, calcium, and magnesium, not forgetting vitamins E, C, B2, and B1.
Below I describe what are other of its benefits.
1- It helps regulate blood sugar levels, being a natural supplement that provides excellent results for people with diabetes.
2- It might lower blood pressure.
3- Helps lose weight
4- Reduces cholesterol levels.
5- Helps to detoxify the liver.
6- Helps to alleviate digestive problems.
7- It calms the symptoms of the common cold.
8- Helps soothe sore throats
9- Relieves heartburn.
10- It is rich in probiotics, live microorganisms intended to maintain or enhance the “good” bacteria (microbiota) of the body.
The mother of vinegar is nothing more than a colony of bacteria that are beneficial to our health.
Always remember that organic, unpasteurized, and unfiltered apple cider vinegar is the best. So, make sure that when you buy it, the label says “with the mother,” which means it is in its purest form. The mother, it’s what gives the product a cloudy appearance and contains proteins, enzymes, and friendly bacteria.
Also, remember to buy the apple cider vinegar that comes in the glass bottle, remember that plastic will contaminate our vinegar with dioxins and toxins harmful to our health.
So, I want to tell you how I use ACV for my hair, nails, and skin. But remember that we are all different, and what works for me might not work for you. Before using this product, try it in a small area of your skin to see if you have any reaction.
Apple cider vinegar for our hair health
One of the reasons why I completely love using apple cider vinegar is because it is a natural remedy, so it does not harm your hair and health as some chemical treatments.
Pure apple cider vinegar preserves beneficial enzymes, bacteria, pectin, and mineral trace elements that bring incredible benefits to hair.
1- It helps to eliminate dandruff.
2- Helps balance the pH of the hair and scalp.
3- Seals the cuticle of the hair.
4- Works as a natural conditioner.
5- It stimulates hair growth.
6- Helps eliminate nits in lice infections.
Put a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and water in an atomizer, and spray it on your hair after shampooing. Let it sit and rinse it after with fresh water.
Remember that ACV is acid so, don’t put it on your eyes. And if it irritates your scalp, stop using it.
If you want to know about the health benefits of ginger for your hair click here.
Apple cider vinegar for our skin
ACV contains high levels of acetic acid and citric acid.
Acetic acid is antifungal and antimicrobial. When used topically, it fights bacteria that may be related to skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, and eczema.
In addition, citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid. And these kinds of acids are used to increase skin cell turnover and might decrease wrinkles and age spots.
The pH of the skin is slightly acidic, and so is ACV. That makes it an excellent alternative since many soaps, tonics, and face washer are too intense, damaging our epidermis and altering our pH.
As a result ACV:
1- Helps to treat sunburn.
2- It is an excellent exfoliant.
3-Relieves irritation from shaving.
4- Stabilizes the PH levels of our skin.
My personal skin-care experience with Apple cider vinegar
After trying various treatments to improve my acne, peeling, antibiotic creams, etc. the only thing that worked was reducing my sugar intake and cleaning my face with organic apple cider vinegar at night before bed.
So every night after I completely removed my makeup, I used the vinegar as a tonic. I soaked a cotton ball and applied it to the areas affected by acne. I let you know that I only had a very big or several pimples but isolated on different parts of my face. If you have a large area of your face affected by acne, perhaps you want to consult a dermatologist before using ACV. The smell of vinegar disappears when drying; however, you can always mix it with a few drops of essential oils, lavender, or tea tree oil.
Also, in one occasion, I suffered a second-degree burn on my right arm, and after the wound healed, I used ACV to treat the scar, thanks to that, I only have a very slight spot.
How to use ACV for your skin-care
The acids in apple Cider Vinegar may cause chemical burns and irritation. That’s why it is recommended to dissolve it in water.
For skin infections, mix 1 tablespoon of ACV and 1 cup of water. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar you can add a little bit of rose water or a few drops of any essential oil you like. There’s a wide range of suggested concentrations, but it’s prudent to start there and see how much you can take.
Apple cider vinegar for our nails
1- It helps to treat onychomycosis.
2- Strengthens nails.
3- It fights foot odor
4- Helps treat athlete’s foot
5- It could help treat or prevent the growth of warts on the feet.
Vinegar soaks are particularly useful for treating toenail infections. To prepare the soak, mix:
- Fill a basin with enough warm water to submerge your feet.
- Add 1 cup of ACV.
- Add 1 cup of Epsom salt.
Soak your feet for 20-30 minutes every day.
Like any supplement, ACV won’t replace a healthy lifestyle. Although it is very controversial regarding its real benefits, I have used it with excellent results, to treat my acne (which was very mild) and some spots on the skin. The good thing about this product is that it is entirely natural, and you can introduce it into your diet, always taking care not to abuse it because it can bring adverse effects. Always dilute it in water to drink it and to apply it to your skin and hair. And make sure to use the organic one.
I hope you have learned a little more about ACV and its health benefits. Let me know which is your opinion about it, or if you know any other way that I could use it.
