Apple cider vinegar has been known for decades to have a vast variety of health and healing benefits. From stress reduction to weight loss apple cider vinegar can do wonders depending on the chemical balance of your body. One treatment not often found by a general search about this remedy is that it also helps treat multiple aspects of acne.
The Bottle
At first I bought a bottle of organic pure and unfiltered ACV from the grocery store (its works better if its organic and best if its organic WITH “the mother” it will usually say this on the bottle if it has it) to use directly on my acne and scars. The cost for a large bottle is pretty cheap. Mine was around $3(Bragg’s brand). It is recommended to mix ACV and water in a 1:2 ratio and also that you test your skin’s sensitivity to it. If it’s too strong, add more water. Use a cotton ball and dab the trouble areas. Warning! This stuff stinks, but its a small price to pay to help heal your acne. Also, if you have any openings in the skin it will sting. If your skin isn’t super sensitive to it, you can even sleep in it and wash it off in the morning, although its mainly used as a toner to apply then wash off after a few minutes (I started with 15 min). I do this two times a day and after 2 weeks I saw a reduction in my scars and to the acne that had already formed that I hadn’t seen using any other product I have tried in my life. Also the tone of my skin was a lot healthier looking. The amount of time to start seeing results vary depending on your body. Typically it is around 2 weeks though it can be sooner or later. You can try heavier mixing ratios at your own risk. I have heard of people being sensitive to ACV, so be careful. Personally, I am now using ACV straight on without mixing with water, but only on a q-tip to dab any trouble areas.
Next up, I decided to double team my acne/scar problems and buy ACV tablets. This was 2 weeks after I started the toner/skin treatment method. You can make a mixture to drink the same ACV you bought in the bottle (2 tbs daily mixed in a bottle of water or other healthy drink), but its been noted as eventually wearing away your tooth enamel and esophagus due to the acidity level. It is safer and easier for most to take the tablets which can be found in many online vitamin and drugstores. Particularly since the liquid tastes terrible! I choose tablets that are 500mg each which is the equivalent to 2 tsp. I take them twice daily as directed on the back of the bottle, and it has helped stop the formation of new acne from the inside out and also helps balance your pH levels and creates a healthier glow to your skin.
Upkeep
I pair these up with using Neutrogena soap in the shower instead of soaps with lots of fragrances and moisturizers, and use a gentle non-comedogenic moisturizer after my showers since ACV does tend to dry out your skin. I have been doing this for a little over a month and the results have been great! Better than the hundreds of products I have tried designed to cure and help acne. Good Luck!
