I first knew that apple cider vinegar is good for facial treatment from a relative. At that time, I went to his house and saw apple cider vinegar on the table. I was curious; then I asked him what apple cider vinegar was for. He said to clean the face. He uses it regularly as a toner in the evening before he sleeps.
Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting the sugar from apples. In this fermentation process, the sugar content in apples is converted into acetic acid, the active ingredient in vinegar. Apart from acetic acid, this vinegar also contains vitamins (A, B1, B2, B6, C, and E), potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Some of us may know apple cider vinegar as an ingredient in a salad dressing. According to a dermatologist based in New York, Dr. Michele Green, apple vinegar has many benefits for facial skincare apart from being used for health.
After reading some very positive information about this apple cider vinegar, I gave it a try. I started regularly using apple cider vinegar in the evening before going to bed. I made it as a toner as my brother did.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar as a Toner
Apple cider vinegar needs to be diluted with water because it can irritate the skin if it is not. The amount of apple cider vinegar and water you need depends on your skin type. Beauty experts suggest that if you have sensitive skin, use a 1: 4 ratio of apple cider vinegar and water, 1: 3 for dry skin, 1: 2 for normal skin, and 1: 1 for oily skin.
However, when you want to try it for the first time, it is recommended to mix apple cider vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 3, even if you have normal or oily skin.
After you mix it, store it in a spray bottle to make it easier for you to use later. Apple cider vinegar is ready for you to make as a toner.
When you want to use it, spray apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball, then wipe it to your face. However, before that, wash your face first so that your look is fresher and you feel more comfortable.
Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar Toner
After using the toner regularly, I feel surprised by the results. My face has become cleaner and brighter.
Besides, this apple cider vinegar can dry out and flatten pimples quickly. I rarely have pimples, but when they appear — usually before menstruation — they are large and red around the forehead, sometimes on the nose or mouth area.
When my face was hit by acne, I used apple cider vinegar toner twice, in the evening before bed and the morning after taking a shower. After a few days, the big, red pimple went flat and dry. So, I didn’t feel the pain for long. I feel delighted, and until now, I still use it regularly.
Read also: An Interesting Site I Have just Found and Definitely I Will Try It
Here are other benefits of apple cider vinegar that you can also get.
1. Can Help Kill Harmful Bacteria on the Skin
Quoted from Healthline, Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used vinegar to clean wounds more than 2,000 years ago. In the past, people traditionally used vinegar to clean and disinfect, treating nail fungus, lice, warts, and ear infections. Because apple cider vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. For the scientific report, you can check here.
2. Can Help Clean Hyperpigmentation Problems
Dr. Michele Green says the malic acid in apple cider vinegar can reduce hyperpigmentation problems, such as dark spots.
Quoting Dr. Byrdie’s Green, “Malic acid is known for its ability to decrease melanin production,” he says. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color.
So, apple cider vinegar can be used as an effective ingredient to eliminate acne scars and brighten the skin.
3. Can Reduce Blackheads
The Dermatologist also says that if apple cider vinegar is mixed with baking soda and water, the mixture can help exfoliate and reduce blackheads.
4. Eliminates Age Spots and Fights Wrinkles
Apple cider vinegar also contains alpha hydroxyl acid, which can help remove dead skin and display healthy, glowing skin. Another benefit is that apple cider vinegar also helps eliminate age spots and minimize fine lines and wrinkles.
The benefits are extraordinary. Facial skin problems like the points above are horrifying for us, and with apple cider vinegar, you can overcome these problems. Apart from the four points above, many other apple cider vinegar benefits are for beauty and health.
My skin type is normal, with regular use of apple cider vinegar toner, my skin is more precise and brighter than before so far.
However, it would be best to be more careful when using apple cider vinegar toner for sensitive skin. Apple cider vinegar has a high enough pH level. Applying a high acidic pH material is prone to irritation and a reddish rash on your face if you have sensitive skin.
So, before you apply apple cider vinegar evenly across the surface of your facial skin, you should do a test first. Rub a thin layer of apple cider vinegar on the skin behind your ears or the back of your hand. Wait about one to two hours. If your skin doesn’t react, it means that apple vinegar is safe for you to use, but if your skin is itchy and reacts negatively, maybe you can look for other alternatives for your facial treatments.