The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (CO) on 12/27/2022
★★★★★
My son had dandruff until he took some ACV with him in the shower. He scrubbed his whole scalp with it, rinsed then shampooed. He had to do this again a couple of days later. It really helped!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Rm (Sedona, Az) on 06/14/2016
★★★★★
ACV treatment for dandruff:
ACV mixed 50/50 with water, sprayed on to scalp, allow to sit for 5-10 minutes, wash off. Make sure you try going gluten, dairy and carb free for a couple weeks to make sure it isn't skin autoimmunity dermatitis. If you have rosacea or dry skin in places other than scalp, this could be a tell.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Felicity (Ny) on 04/10/2016
★★★★★
My Dr. swears by apple cider vinegar as a dandruff treatment, as the acidity of apple cider vinegar changes the pH of your scalp, making it harder for yeast to grow. Mix a quarter cup apple cider vinegar with a quarter cup water in a spray bottle and spritz on your scalp. Wrap your head in a towel and let sit for 15 minutes to an hour, then wash your hair as usual. Do this twice a week.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Anonymous (Ridgefield , Ct) on 04/01/2013
★★★★★
I have been diagnosed with all sorts of sensitive skin and dermatitis problems over the past 6 years. I cannot believe after only one use of the apple cider vinegar/ water mixture sprayed on my scalp for 20 minutes, my flaky scalp and the itchiness is almost gone. I even used regualr shampoo and conditioner for the first time in 6 years after using the vinegar treatment. I will absolutely keep using it. I have been suffering for so long emotionally and physically, I am so thankful for your suggestions and reader comments. I cannot believe after years of buying endless hair treatments and medications, a natural non toxic $0.99 bottle of apple cider vinegar worked!! Thank you, thank you!!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Southernarc (Durham, Nc, Usa) on 02/18/2012
★★★★★
Looking for a natural cure for dandruff is what led me to this site. I've had dandruff all my life, but not the bad flaky kind. I've had sores/scabs in portions of my scalp, and the last few years I've had problems even with my eyebrows. I've tried dandruff shampoos but have only been able to control things, and even then the control has not been that good.
I've found that a 1:1 mixture of ACV and plain tap water works! I mixed 1 ounce of ACV with 1 ounce of water, and for good measure added in 20 drops of teatree oil. Thoroughy moisten hair in the shower with the concoction and massage in for a few minutes. I noticed results after the first application. I used it twice more a few more days apart and by the third application it appears the scabs are all gone. Even my eyebrows are cured (I made sure to apply the concoction).
Using tea tree oil also helps with the smell. It counteracts the smell of the ACV quite a bit, and I'm thinking of increasing the amount to 25 drops per 2 ounces.
The only other change I made was to switch to a baby shampoo instead of my regular "dry hair" shampoo. But I'm convinced it's the ACV. I've used teatree oil before and I think it helped a bit, but it didn't cure. I know it's not hurting, and since I had some on hand I included it. And I've also gone against conventional wisdom I've read on this site and used regular filtered ACV that I picked up from the supermarket for $.99 If it didn't work I was going to try the organic kind, but since I'm now cured of this ailment I won't have to buy any more ACV.
I know that the baby shampoo must be helping, since I've always had a dry scalp and dry hair and now it's much better. Yet the first time I used the ACV concoction I decided to try my regular shampoo, and even then I could swear that my hair was less dry and more manageable when I was done. So the concoction alone is good. But I'm sticking with the baby shampoo just to be sure, plus I really like the results.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Tara (Baton Rouge, La) on 12/24/2011
★★★★★
I'm 24 years old, and I've had dandruff for several years. Often I would get build-ups of cells and scabs on the back of my itchy scalp. I started mixing one part raw, unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar with one part filtered water in a spray bottle and spraying it all over my scalp, massaging briefly, and rinsing before I shampoo. My dandruff was completely gone within the first two treatments and has been gone for months now. I do it a few times a week. Although the smell was hard to handle at first, I'm now in love with apple cider vinegar. It's still not exactly pleasant, but the benefits are so worth the smell and taste, which don't last very long anyway. I use it for many other things, which I'll report later! :)
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Natalie (Brooklyn, Ny, Usa) on 06/16/2011
★★★★★
Thank you so much for this REALLY simple remedy that REALLY works! My head was itching a lot, but I use hairgel and hairspray every day, so I thought it might be that. But to rule out dandruff, I tried this method. I put equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water in an empty hairspray bottle. I then shampooed my hair as usual and rinsed it. Then I sprayed (and poured) the mixture on my head and rubbed it in for about 4 minutes (careful not to get it in your eyes! ). Then I rinsed it out. Then I put in some Tea Tree oil conditioner I found at a nearby healthfood store, and rubbed that into my scalp. I let it sit for another 4 mins or so, then rinsed it out. I did this twice, about 2 days apart, and my head doesn't itch AT ALL anymore! and I still use my same hairgel and hairspray. What a wonderful cure! Thank you Earth Clinic for sharing it!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by NC (Noveleta, Cavite) on 11/24/2010
★★★★★
Yes, I do agree with the dandruff treatment here. I am suffering from moderate dandruff as well. I've tried Nizoral and Selsun Blue but got little success with those. I tried mixing Nizoral with hot cream oil and I was dandruff free for a month. But then Nizoral is quite expensive for my budget so I looked for a substitute.
So I tried mixing hot cream oil and apple cider vinegar and my ordinary shampoo. Apply the mixture onto my scalp for 30 minutes and rinse it thoroughly. Tried this 3 times a week and it works for me.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ascha4 (Springfield, Il) on 10/22/2009
★★★★★
I didn't suffer from severe dandruff or have any scalp conditions but just had bad, very visible dandruff in my brunette hair. I used one application of half acv and half water, and was cured. I also switched to shampoo without any sulfates in it, that helps too for maintenance.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Noele (Charleston, South Carolina) on 08/20/2009
★★★★★
I tried the apple cider vinegar for severe dandruff, and was shocked that it worked so well.
I've had terrible dandruff my entire life--I cannot think of a time when I didn't have severe itching and a dry, flaky scalp. I also had little plaques of flakes all over my scalp, and if I scratched them they bled. It was really irritating.
I had tried every single dandruff shampoo and treatment available, and nothing helped AT ALL. I was at my wits end. When I saw the ACV cure here on Earth Clinic, I figured I would try it. Couldn't hurt!
I went to a beauty supply store and bought an 8 ounce hair dye applicator bottle. I filled it with 4 ounces of ACV and 4 ounces of water and shook it to mix the two. Then, in the shower, I washed my hair with an olive oil soap [I had cut out using shampoo, figuring the sulfates were drying out my hair], rinsed, combed out the tangles, and then applied about 2 ounces of the ACV mixture to my hair and scalp. I left it on for a minute or so and then rinsed.
It worked! When I dried my hair, ALL the dandruff was gone. My head didn't itch at all, and my hair was also very soft and shiny. I have continued to use this method for the past month, and the dandruff has never returned.
This stuff is a godsend. I can't believe how well it worked, and it's so inexpensive. Thanks very much, Earth Clinic!
