Apple cider vinegar for acne, is it medically effective?

Apple cider vinegar is said to be a powerful alternative to natural acne remedies. This natural ingredient is said to be able to reduce inflammation to reduce acne. Is it true that apple cider vinegar is effective in getting rid of acne and are there any side effects?

Is apple cider vinegar effective for getting rid of pimples?

Apple cider vinegar is the fermentation of apple cider using yeast and other bacteria. This fermentation process will produce a vinegar compound called acetic acid. Acetic acid is a compound known for its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Vinegar is generally known to have the ability to kill many types of bacteria and viruses. In fact, vinegar has also been shown to reduce some bacteria by up to 90% and certain viruses by up to 95%.

Meanwhile, acne occurs due to clogging of pores by bacteria, buildup of dead skin cells, and excess oil production. This is why apple cider vinegar is said to help treat acne, both mild and moderate.

Apart from acetic acid, apple cider vinegar also contains citric, lactic, malic and succinic acids. A number of these ingredients have been shown to be able to kill bacteria Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) causes acne.

For example, malic acid used in the skin can reduce signs of aging, remove dead skin cells, and increase skin hydration. These three things are quite helpful as a form of acne skin care.

Even so, there are no studies that have tested the function of apple cider vinegar to kill P. acnes specifically. Therefore, further research is needed to find out whether the antibacterial properties of apple cider vinegar apply to acne-causing bacteria.

The antioxidant properties of apple cider vinegar help treat acne

Apart from having antibacterial compounds, vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, also contains antioxidants that can help treat acne. Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent damage from free radicals.

Antioxidants are said to be important in overcoming acne caused by free radicals that can cause inflammation in the skin.

Not only that, the antioxidants in apple cider vinegar can also help protect the skin by preventing toxins from penetrating the outer layer of the skin. This statement has been proven through research from journals Advances in Wound Care.

The study says that the antioxidants in vinegar can help protect acne-prone skin from oxidative damage. However, it is not known whether this applies to apple cider vinegar to acne problems.

Side effects of using apple cider vinegar on the skin

Although apple cider vinegar is a natural ingredient that looks safe, it doesn't mean that there are no side effects when applied to the skin. Keep in mind that apple cider vinegar shouldn't be applied directly to your skin without diluting it first.

The use of apple cider vinegar to get rid of pimples is a risk of causing burns on the skin

This can occur due to acetic acid which is more concentrated and higher and can cause inflammation and burns on the skin. Acetic acid that is 100 percent concentrated can produce glacial acetate which is harmful to the skin and can cause scars.

Therefore, always pay attention to the ingredients in natural ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar, before using it as an acne remedy.

Those of you with sensitive skin may need to be careful because they are more prone to irritation after using this natural ingredient.

If you plan to use apple cider vinegar as a way to get rid of acne, start by rubbing it on the skin area under your arms. If there are no negative effects that appear for 24 - 48 hours, it means that the content is safe to use.

However, when the skin shows signs of irritation, such as rash, itching, and redness, you should stop using it.

How to use apple cider vinegar for acne

Apple cider vinegar is a skin care product with a strong odor. For those of you who have a sensitive sense of smell, of course this scent can be annoying.

Therefore, always be careful, especially when using apple cider vinegar for the first time to treat acne. The following options are available when you want to use apple cider vinegar as a skin care product for acne breakouts.

Facial cleansing soap

One way to use apple cider vinegar for a face with acne is through a facial cleanser. The most important treatment for acne-prone skin is washing your face regularly so that the oil and dirt that sticks are removed.

You can follow the steps below to make a facial cleanser with apple cider vinegar.

• Get a quarter cup of liquid castile soap, a soap made from olive oil, water, and lye.
• Mix liquid castile soap with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

Toner

In addition to facial cleansing soap, you can also use apple cider vinegar as a toner to treat mild acne types. How to?

• Mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with 2 tablespoons of water in a bottle.
• Shake the bottle until the two ingredients are well blended.
• Pour the apple cider vinegar and water mixture on a cotton ball.
• Rub all over the face.

You can also spray this apple cider vinegar toner all over your face and pat the skin gently so that it absorbs quickly. For those with sensitive skin, you should add a few tablespoons of water to the bottle or according to a dose.

Apple cider vinegar is one natural ingredient that is only recommended as an adjunct treatment for acne. Medical care from doctors remains primary and irreplaceable.

Always consult a doctor if you have acne that is infected and doesn't go away.