What is apple cider vinegar?
Made from the juice extracted from cider apples, apple cider vinegar is a common type of vinegar that is used for medical, culinary, and cosmetic purposes. Cider apples are crushed, and the juice that is extracted is fermented in two processes, with the addition of certain strains of bacteria. The first process turns the apple juice to alcohol, while the second, turns the alcohol to acetic acid and vinegar. It is due to the presence of both acetic acid and malic acid, that apple cider vinegar has a sour taste. There are two types of apple cider vinegar that are commonly available. The first is the raw and organic unfiltered version. This basically consists of something known as the mother of vinegar. The mother of vinegar has several nutrients, minerals, and enzymes. It gives the apple cider vinegar a cloudy appearance. The second type that is commonly available in the filtered version. This type of apple cider vinegar does not contain the mother of vinegar and has a clear, amber-coloured appearance.

Apple cider vinegar benefits for skin
Apple cider vinegar can help you with a lot of skin problems, and also be a good addition to your skincare routine. Here is how:

1. Apple Cider Vinegar For Acne Scars And Pimples
One of the main causal factors of acne and pimples is the accumulation of oil, dirt, dust, and dead skin cells, and bacteria in the pores of the skin. Applying apple cider vinegar for pimples can help remove the oil, dirt, dust, dead skin cells and bacteria from the pores of your skin. It also has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which means it can keep infections at bay, and help treat any existing bacterial and fungal infections as well.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar For Sunburn Remedy
Sunburns are caused due to constant, prolonged, and excessive exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) light of the sun. Continually being at the receiving end of sunburns paves the way for early ageing and in some extreme cases, it might also cause skin cancer. Apple cider vinegar can help treat mild cases of sunburn. The alpha hydroxyl acid in apple cider vinegar is known for being an effective remedy for sunburn. It can accelerate the healing process, and additionally, it can also soothe the affected area. However, you should opt for this remedy only if you are suffering from a minor case of sunburns. If it is anything severe, consult your dermatologist as apple cider vinegar can worsen the condition.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar For Face Toner
The next time you spend a bomb on a skin toner, you might want to hold back and use apple cider vinegar as a more cheaper, natural alternative. Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acid, which acts as an astringent – it reduces sebum output, thus making your skin less oily. It helps close pores, reduces blackheads and whiteheads and makes the skin firm. Apple cider vinegar toner will also help increase the blood flow in your skin and accelerate blood circulation. Apple cider vinegar is specifically great for people with oily skin.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar To Exfoliate And Soothe Skin
Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxyl acid, which is helpful in the removal of dead skin cells. This way, it helps with the exfoliating of your skin. Apple cider vinegar also has soothing properties. It can leave your skin soft and supple.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar For Wrinkles And Age Spots Removal
Again, the alpha hydroxyl acid that is found in apple cider vinegar can help with the prevention of wrinkles as well as the removal of age spots. Since alpha hydroxyl can help remove dead and dry skin, it can smoothen out your face and make it look fresh and young as well. The acetic acid that is found in apple cider vinegar can smoothen out the fine lines and wrinkles in your face and more importantly, it can help lighten, and over time, remove age spots on your skin.

Moreover, it is found that alpha hydroxyl acid is effective in firming up the skin and producing collagen- which helps prevent wrinkles and keeps the skin supple. A study on Japanese subjects found that treatment with alpha hydroxyl acids helps reduce dark spots, sun damage and improves the elasticity of the skin.

6. Apple Cider Vinegar For Warts Removal
A wart is the unusual growth of skin that is usually benign. It is found in the top layer of the skin and is usually caused when a virus has infected the area. Apple cider vinegar, as mentioned above, has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It also works as a great antioxidant. Apple cider vinegar has been used for ages, for the removal of warts. While research has not been done on the effectiveness of apple cider vinegar for removing warts, anecdotal evidence exists that it is effective in removing warts. Studies have found that acidic compounds are effective in drying up and removing warts, and apple cider vinegar, being acidic, may yield the same results.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar For Skin Whitening
Apple cider vinegar contains great amounts of something known as glycol. Glycol is a compound that can clear your skin in a natural way. In fact, apple cider vinegar happens to have more glycol content that other substances that contain glycols, like pineapple, sugarcane, sugar beets, and grapes.Being acidic in nature, apple cider vinegar also has a high level of acidic content, which in turn can clear out several impurities, as well as exfoliate your skin. It can cleanse away dirty or accumulated pores, blackheads, whiteheads, oil, build-ups, dirt, and makeup. Overall, apple cider uses for skin whitening makes your skin lighter and helps with skin whitening by gently and naturally removing dead skin cells and the buildup of dirt and grime. It can also help reduce any age spots or dark patches on your skin.

How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar On Skin Tags
To use apple cider vinegar for the removal of skin tags, you will have to apply apple cider vinegar, diluted in water, with the help of a cotton ball. Place this cotton ball on the affected area and cover it with the help of a bandage. You can do this overnight. Repeat this process every day for three or four days. By the end of this time, you will first notice that the skin tag has dried, after which, it would have fallen off.

How to use apple cider vinegar for skin problems
If you plan on using apple cider vinegar for your skin effectively, then follow these procedures –

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Uses For Pimples, Age Spots, And Wrinkles:
For this remedy, make sure you use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar. To a bowl of water, add one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Then use a clean ball of cotton to dab this mix on the affected area.

2. How To Get Rid Of Sunburn With Apple Cider Vinegar
For this, use four cups of cold water. Add half a cup of apple cider vinegar. Use a clean cloth to gently dab this on the affected area.

3. To Exfoliate Your Skin
For skin exfoliation, make a mixture of half a spoon of apple cider vinegar, two spoons of coconut oil, and one spoon of honey. Gently massage your face, and rinse.

4. How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar As A Toner
To use apple cider vinegar as a skin toner, mix a few drops of apple cider vinegar to some filtered water. To this, add a few drops of essential oils. You can use tea tree oil or lavender oil, or even olive oil.

ACV for Skin Conclusion
Now we know that apple cider vinegar does indeed have several benefits for your skin. It can help treat skin rash and acne, as well as lighten the skin, clean it from impurities, and reduce age spots and blemish.

While the benefits of apple cider vinegar for your skin are numerous, you need to always keep in mind that the excessive use of any product, including apple cider vinegar, can do more harm than good. If you are suffering from any particular skin condition, first consult your doctors before proceeding to use apple cider vinegar. Also, it is always better to use apple cider vinegar in its diluted form, as opposed to directly applying it on your skin.