Should You Add Apple Cider Vinegar to Your Skin-Care Routine?

From avocado facials to honey scrubs, reaching into your kitchen cabinet in hopes of attaining clearer, smoother skin is nothing new. But does apple cider vinegar (ACV), another ingredient often touted as a “superfood,” also deserve a spot on your bathroom vanity?

When it comes to helping you achieve a healthier complexion, some of the components in ACV may help. But experts are cautious about its use, both orally and as it’s infused in beauty products. Below, we explore the possible benefits and risks of using ACV for skin care.

There are a few things in ACV that may boost the appearance and health of your skin.

“Putting it on the skin straight up is highly irritating, and I have seen many patients who have irritated and burned their skin by repeated use of apple cider vinegar,” says Patricia Farris, MD, a dermatologist in Metairie, Louisiana, and a clinical associate professor at the Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. “I advise patients against using this particular home remedy for this reason.”

For skin infections, Dr. Waldman advises making a dilution of 1 tablespoon of ACV per 1 cup of water. There’s a wide range of recommended concentrations, but it’s generally advisable to start there and see how much you can tolerate.

“The higher the concentration, the more likely it’s going to irritate your skin,” Waldman says. “But it probably also works better because of the higher levels of acetic and citric acid. It’s a balance. You never want to use ACV in its concentrated form.”

Experts have mixed opinions on the use of apple cider vinegar for skin conditions. Anecdotally, they’ve heard of both successes and bad reactions. Waldman doesn’t recommend that her patients use ACV, but she doesn’t dissuade those who are using it successfully. “If you have a mild condition, it might help, but for more severe cases, it’s probably not going to be the be-all and end-all of products,” she says.

If you do use diluted apple cider vinegar for your skin, some basics to keep in mind: Your skin has an outer layer, the epidermis. “That layer is essentially like a brick wall. When you pull it apart, water gets out and irritants can come in,” Waldman says. “A lot of face washes, toners, and bar soaps are just too harsh and strip that layer.”

Acne

“We know that breaking down [dead skin] can help acne, and ACV does contain AHAs, so the potential is there, but there just aren’t good studies to show that,” Piliang says.

Anti-acne washes or treatments can be irritating to the skin, causing dryness and peeling. Adding diluted ACV to your routine could contribute to epidermal stripping and irritation.

“It defeats the purpose when you let all the water out and [let] everything outside — chemicals in the air, irritants, bacteria — in,” Waldman says. “Everyone is a little different, and oily skin probably has a higher tolerance for applying more acidic products. Sensitive, dry skin has a much lower threshold. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation.”

For teens with oily skin and acne, using ACV is less risky because their skin is more resistant to irritation. The oil protects the outer layer of skin, and it comes back faster in a younger person than an older adult with drier skin, Piliang says.

Eczema or Psoriasis

If you have psoriasis or eczema, you should be very careful about using ACV because if you put apple cider vinegar on areas of your face or skin that are already broken down, fissured, or bleeding, it’s going to burn like crazy and be very uncomfortable, Piliang says.

Rosacea

People with rosacea should be very cautious about using ACV since their skin is already very sensitive and the outer layer is already damaged, Piliang says. Waldman doesn’t recommend using ACV because rosacea is complicated and could be caused by a reaction to your normal skin organisms, the sun, spicy food, coffee, or even an irritating cream.

“Rosacea can be inflamed from a lot of irritating conditions, meaning ACV could make it better,” Waldman says. “But it could very easily make it worse if used inappropriately, meaning if it’s not diluted enough or if the person is just particularly sensitive to any sort of irritant on their skin.”

Skin Infections

When evaluating skin-care products that contain apple cider vinegar, Waldman warns that you may not know the concentration of ACV you’re getting. Instead, look for products with acetic acid, citric acid, or other AHAs, or make your own toner with 1 tablespoon of organic ACV in 1 cup of water. “Otherwise you’re probably just paying for labeling,” she says.

While it’s generally deemed safe to ingest diluted ACV or apply it to your skin, don’t overdo it, or else you’ll risk irritating your skin. If you’ve been struggling with a skin issue for a while and are using ACV in your skin-care routine, Waldman recommends seeing your primary care physician or a dermatologist for advice.

It’s possible that you may have a different condition than you think — one that ACV can’t alleviate. Waldman says she’s seen patients who thought they had acne but actually had rosacea, and patients who thought they had areas of hyperpigmentation but actually had very early melanomas.

“I know everyone wants an alternative treatment, but sometimes you do need to seek medical care for things that aren’t going away,” she says. “An outside, expert opinion can at least reassure you that everything is normal or [let you know] if you need to seek other input.”

• Experts say there is no high-quality scientific evidence to support the use of apple cider vinegar as a way to boost your skin health and improve your complexion.
• That said, limited evidence suggests that ACV contains some components that could have benefits: acetic acid, which has antifungal and antimicrobial properties; and citric acid, which research suggests can improve the appearance of wrinkles and age spots. Using ACV can lead to irritation and burns, so if you are going to try ACV for your skin, experts advise diluting it with water.
• Discuss the use of ACV for skin conditions with a doctor before trying it. There are safer and more effective alternative skin remedies.

Additional reporting by Jamie Ludwig.