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In your search for acne remedies, you may have come across the wide spread idea that apple cider vinegar is a cure for every ill – including acne.
Well, I admit it – sometime back in the day, I had decided that it sounded too good to be true, so I gave the ol apple cider vinegar trick a go. Check out the video to find out what I thought!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mSyLxXvT_s
Blog author Tracy Raftl used to have severe acne — now she teaches thousands of women how to take back control of their skin through natural, holistic, and mind-body methods.
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21 Responses
I only used it on salads, but it’s a well known home remedy in my country. People drink it with water and honey.
My sister uses it mixed with water to wipe her face during the day to clean grease.
I understand how great apple vinegar is, but it’s pasteurized so all the good is killed.
Most acids have astringent properties, so yes, in that sense it can kill the acne bacteria if it gets absorbed deep enough into the skin. But the best thing about ACV is the fact that even though it’s an acid, in the body it becomes alkaline/basic because of the ash (mineral) content and the electrolytes that most other vinegars except balsamic vinegar don’t have.
When minerals bind to things in your body, they form alkaline compounds and various salts. It’s obviously good to have electrolytes and extra minerals in the body.
Yeah, I know… it’s kind of like lemons in that way… very acid but turns alkaline. I still don’t think it’s worth swigging it down straight!
Oh yeah, how could I forget this. It also lowers your blood glucose after a meal, so if you ever have a meal high in carbs and you don’t want your blood sugar to spike and probably end up in a breakout, you can drink some and it’s supposed to lower it substantially.
I use Bragg’s Healthy Vinagrette dressing on my salads, marinade chicken with it, even dip veggies and crackers in it!…it is made of moslty apple cider vinegar and olive oil and is delicious. You get the benefits of the apple cider vinegar without the strong flavor from drinking it straight and the burning! My sister tried drinking it straight and it actually burned her throat so bad she had to go to the doctor, her throught developed bumps with puss coming out of them!?? Talk about severe reaction! Tracey, I was wondering what you thought about arrowroot powder. I used to eat gluten free arrowroot cookies, which were great and didn’t seem to give me a reaction, but I’ve actually started using this all natural organic powder for my face made of mostly arrowroot powder, kaolin, and iron oxides. It doesn’t SEEM to be breaking me out, but I am consistently broken out so who knows what the culprit is. I’ve heard different things about using arrowroot powder on acne because it’s technially food-based and some people say a “breeding ground for bacteria”?? Any experience with arrowroot at all? As usual, love the video! Thank you!! 😉
Hi Bridget!
I don’t really know anything about arrowroot… a quick google search came up with an acne.org thread talking about it being a breeding ground for bacteria… which I assume is the same thing you read! Acne.org can make you crazy in that way… there’s a lot of smart people, but it’s mostly just people speculating about this or that with no real grounds. But similarly, I have no real experience with arrowroot, so I can’t say for sure if it’s comedogenic. The fact that it’s very natural is a plus in my books, but… I know, it’s so hard when you get a steady stream of acne to know if one specific thing is helping or hindering it, considering all the other factors at play!
One good thing about my google search as that I also found this pretty cool thread about making your own makeup: http://www.acne.org/messageboard/Pure-homemade-makeup-ch-t224187.html. I should try it sometime and do a video about it.
Hi Tracy!
I really love your website! It helps me so much! I was wondering.. do you have scarring on your face? Or did all your acne disappear without leaving any scars? I have a lot of them.. They’re like red/purple. Do you have any tips or tricks?
Hi Astrid! I’m super happy you’re enjoying my site! 🙂
As for scars, I have some pretty minor ones (actual scars), as for red marks and hyperpigmentation, they’ve mostly faded away by now. Check out this video https://thelovevitamin.com/521/how-to-get-rid-of-acne-scars-and-hyperpigmentation-naturally/
Peace! x
Tracy did you know they have Apple Cider Vinegar in pill form? I saw it in Whole Foods. I wouldn’t trust it at all but how weird is that? Personally I think it’s totally fine to ingest (in its natural liquid form not some pill that they made out of god knows what) but I definitely would advise against putting it on your face.
Hey Tracy, thanks for all the great videos 🙂
I did a quick search for spot treatments, but I see that you haven’t made any videos on that yet. I’m using apple cider vinegar for the occasional pimple that comes up (I’m pretty much all clear now though!) but I was wondering if you had any other suggestions for spot treatments that you may use. Thanks!
Hi Jeffrey… I guess it’s because I don’t really use spot treatments haha. Not to say you can’t… diluted tea tree oil can be used (do not use it straight), but some people find tea tree oil a bit irritating. I’ve heard manuka honey (if you can afford it) is fantastic. I’ll have to do more research!
Thanks for the quick reply!
I just started using the mask that you suggested in your other video (honey, Cinnamon, and lemon juice) so maybe that’ll help with both red marks and existing acne if I have any! 🙂
Oh by the way .. I’ve seen your video on sunlight and how great it is, but if I have red marks, are they going to make the spots darker?
It shouldn’t make them darker if you’re eating and living healthfully and don’t go in the sun with creams on your face, and as long as you don’t spend hours and hours out. Sunburn and skin damage happens a lot easier in people with unhealthy lifestyles because the natural lubrication of the skin is of poor quality and full of toxins… and the sun kind of fries them onto your skin.
Tracy,
I have been using ACV for about two weeks and it hasn’t irritated my skin at all but I think it’s because I diluted it with water. I make like a 1:4 part vinager to water ratio respectively and I find it quite good for making my skin smoother. I do use Nature’s First Organic Apple Cider Vinegar which still has the ‘Mother’ in it. So all I’m wondering is would you maybe recommend it if it was diluted? Or is it probably a bad idea for me to be using it?
Oh I also wanted to ask (although maybe the wrong topic?) about papaya. I have read that papaya contains enzymes that are good for healing the skin and I was wondering whether or not this was true and whether it might be a good idea for me to make like a mask out of mashing some for my acne scars? I’m willing to try any natural remedies before I even think about looking into any cosmetic treatments. I have always been using aloe vera since about March and I also use Jojoba Oil, but I’ve found they don’t really do much for my red marks and scars, although Jojoba does really moisturise my skin nicely. I’m desperate!!!!
Thanks Trace!
Hi Anita! You can use it if you want… I just didn’t like it because it seemed so strong and smelled bad. If it works for you, then go for it.
I think that making a mask out of papaya would be a great idea! Papaya does have enzymes… I don’t know if they are good for healing the skin in particular, but I think mashing up all sorts of things around your kitchen can be soothing and make great masks… give it a try with the papaya and tell me how you like it and maybe I’ll give it a try too and make a video!
Does anyone know if its better to drink acv before or after a meal?
I think before, so that it stimulates the stomach acid to be produced
Thanks girl that was fast!
I take ACV daily. First thing in the morning, in between and before bed.And also use it as toner. Besides, i do this weekly hair treatment with ACV by leaving the diluted ACV on my hair for hours, as long as i can stand. That get rid of dandruff and itchy scalp.After few months of this routine..what I can see is… I lose few kilos and able to maintain them. 2) I have a glowing skin and better complexion with less liver spots and freckles. and pimples-free! 3) No more itchy scalp and dandruff. 4) Less hair fall 5)Better sleep and more energy and lot more!!! The main thing to consider is… using the organic, unfiltered ACV with lot of mother.
Have a try and good luck!
how long do you need to ingest the vinegar concoction in order to see results?
thanks
I just want to say that I don’t know anyone who would drink apple cider vinegar that isn’t diluted. That’s just ridiculous! Of course it’s going to burn your throat that way.
When I’ve taken apple cider vinegar consistently for three weeks I definitely felt a difference in the way I felt and looked. I had more energy, generally just felt better and my skin was improving.
Just a little food for thought.