Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Cubensis (Bristol, Ct USA) on 01/11/2009
★★★★★

tea tree oil & acv cured my acne.

i've tried many, many, many methods to eliminate my acne over the past several years. from accutane to proactiv, from antibiotics to retin-a. after tossing all the over-the-counter stuff out the window, i've also tried lemon juice, baking soda, among some other more natural methods. however, none of the above mentioned sufficiently reduced my acne... and if they did, they left my skin red, dry and irritated.

...until i began experimenting with tea tree oil and apple cider vinegar. i tried TTO first. i purchased dr. bronner's organic TTO castile soap, and also organic TTO to use as a spot treatment. however, as i later found out, this particular soap only contains about 1-2% TTO. i later removed the TTO from my regimen, and experimented with ACV, while washing with unmedicated soap. my skin "felt" cleaner from day to day while ingesting the ACV, but my acne did not go away.

...........................................................................

after much trial and error, i came up with a fantastic regimen combining both ACV and TTO. the necessary items for the regimen are:

*16oz bottle liquid Dr. Bronner's Unscented Baby-Mild
*1oz organic Tea Tree Oil
*organic ACV (i purchased a 32oz bottle, as it is more cost effective in larger quantities)

first, i poured about 1oz of dr. bronner's soap out of the bottle, to make room for the TTO. into this, i mixed the 1oz of organic TTO. this is equivalent to around 6-7%, or 1/16. i used the baby-mild so that i am able to determine the EXACT soap/TTO ratio by mixing in it myself... and also to avoid any other essential oils that may be otherwise drying or irritating.

so now for the actual regimen:

when you wake up, use a small squirt of the soap/TTO mixture (less than the size of a dime) to wash face. massage for a minute and rinse. do this again at night before you go to bed. this one bottle should last you several months. (this can also be used to wash your back/chest in the shower, if applicable)

as for the ACV, as previously mentioned all over this website, mix 2 tablespoons with about 8oz of water and drink. do this 3 times a day.

........................................................................

honestly, you will feel this starting to work within the first few days. you will see VISIBLE improvements. however, it may be a few weeks before your acne is completely gone. i've been struggling for years with this condition, and i was definitely no longer interested in destroying my skin with harsh chemicals, swallowing and depending on antibiotics, and spending hundreds of dollars trying new things when the next thing in line failed. try this. it's that good.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Linda (West Newfield, Maine) on 01/06/2009

Kassandra, I too suffer from acne; adult, cystic acne....and I love sweets, too! I have begun ingesting ACV diluted with water and haven't seen much improvement and during the winter months here in the northeast, I have problem skin on other parts of my body...legs, forearms, midriff, lower back....I am massaging my feet nightly (just started 3 nights ago) and concentrating on points as recommended by reflexology....I am noticing a new blemish on my face and hope that the bad stuff is leaving my body....this could take weeks at this rate though - natural cures, in my experience, take time and patience along with consistency which I am terrible with, but I need to keep trying....stick with what you're doing, get lots of veggies and fruits....try to get some sun everyday....keep the faith!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sandy (In the sticks, Nevada) on 01/06/2009

When my family went sugar free for 6 months, my teens' skin cleared up. It is tough to eat healthy and give up sugar, but if you can do it for six months several things will happen. . .

1. You will realize how addicted you were to the stuff,
2. Your taste buds may change where you find sugar is not that appealing when you end your six month ban,
3. You won't get sick as often and you will feel better.

Now that we are off the sugar free diet, the kids will occasionally indulge in sodas and other junk -- the zits they get the next few days after remind them what they are doing to themselves. If you are very addicted to sugar I recommend EFT (Google it) it helped me with a Coca Cola addiction.

P.S. My kids won't do the EFT for soda and junk, because they don't want to give them up forever! A testimony to their addiction and the effectiveness of EFT!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kassandra (Grand Praire, Tx) on 01/06/2009
★☆☆☆☆

HI , I have been drinking 2 table spoons of raw organic apple cider vinegar mixed with 1 tbs of pure maple syrup in a 16 oz glass of water every night for the past 3 weeks, And My skin has not cleared up, And I've Read that it probably won't clear up in the beginning because it is pushing out a lot of toxins in your body through your skin, I guess my question is how long does it take before you start seeing results?, And also What else can I do that would help clear up my skin? I have a big sweet tooth, sugar is my weakness, i've made a lot of cutbacks , But should I cut sugar out completely? I want clear healthy radiant skin, And Willing to do anything to get it. Thanks!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ricardo (Danbury , CT) on 12/28/2008

Hi, your problem with loose stools is because you are too alkaline in the intestines, you need the red meat and foods from the acid chart to normalize the PH in the intestines. you need to eat a balanced diet including about 55 % alkaline foods and 45% acid forming foods. This ways you will fight all illnesses too because it is known that all microbes that causes disease will die in an alkaline environment. Buy the test PH strips and control you PH level, it will fix this problem.Test your urine and saliva and try to keep yourself in the optimal PH range.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by James Sesame (State College, PA) on 12/09/2008

Very good. ACV will work, but only temporarily until you restore your damaged gut. You have whatever you have, mental, physical or genetic,s due to gut dysbiosis, destroyed gut flora & overgrowth of pathological gut organisms, which all of us contain, but run out of control when we destroy our friendly gut flora with antibiotics. Use your clay internally as well. If it is ok for your skin it is ok internally, or should be. ACV in the clay water you drink will be excellent. As will Celtic sea salt, a healing salt made by hand from the sea. It is live containing sea & earth organisms from the indigenous clay it is cultivated in. If you want internal clay, make sure it has been used anciently & has not been adulterated by modern purification processes. It will restore your gut flora & kill any MRSA or PRSA or other rank stuff like any candida or clostridia or Ecoli (there are many beneficial & essential Ecoli, which are killed by antibiotics & by vaccines)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Elena (Berkeley, CA) on 12/08/2008
★★★★★

I have just starting drinking ACV and water every day for close to 3 weeks now. I have suffered from acne since I was 12 years old and I am now 36 and as I've gotten older it has gotten worse. After drinking ACV for about 2 weeks, my skin started to transform and it looks great! I've tried everything to get rid of my grossly impacted pores and my pores are almost now completely free of debris. I have started using the ACV in my clay mask as well instead of water and it has made a HUGE difference. Not only has my face cleared up but the breakouts on other body parts are also clearing up. My skin is so soft, I have more energy and I've been having regular bowl movements. I've also noticed that my lips were very dry, they are now soft with no dryness.

Initially, when I started drinking ACV my skin erupted, now in retrospect I know that my body was just pushing the toxins out of my system. Also, my skin would be so oily, truly greasy several hours after cleaning my face, now I've noticed that my face has a beautiful glow but not OILY or greasy looking like before, this stuff is amazing! And I should also report that I do look 10 years younger as well! I am now looking forward to continuing my ACV treatment and have started to really take healing myself naturally very seriously.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tursha (Houston, Texas) on 11/28/2008
★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar cured my acne. I have only used ACV for 5 days and I see a huge difference in my acne. I use Organic ACV directly to my face & take 2 tbl spoons every day. I apply it to my skin in the morning and leave it on for ten minutes. Then I wash it off with facial wash from the health food store that contains tea tree oil. Then I mix one drop of tea tree oil & Vitamin E to my skin for a moistrizer. At night, I just wash my face then use ACV directly and sleep with it overnight. I did break out with a small rash on my left cheek, but realized I was releasing toxins of my skin. This remedy sloughs off dead skin and leaves my skin looking and feeling great! I suffer with acne spots that I want to remove naturally and this seems to work. I also include fiber in my diet and drink lots of water. Make sure you get a lot of sleep and exercise. Combating acne requires a combination of healthy remedies.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Dawn (Newport, MI) on 11/09/2008

This is to J.M. from Oakland: One should not drink ACV straight. It should always be diluted, about 1 tablespoon to 6 or 8 oz. of water. It is an organic acid and your body will metabolize it such that it will actually alkalize your body, improving tissue oxygenation. Make sure it is organic apple cider vinegar with the "mother" in it. (Ex: _____'s)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Deborah (Denison, Texas) on 11/09/2008

I also use ACV after a baking soda scrub on my face and neck. It is like a mini facial peel. But to counterbalance the drying effect of ACV you need to use a moisturizer. I use Virgin Coconut Oil as my body and facial moisturizer and my facial wrinkles and body are a lot smoother and less noticable.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Beth (Chicago, IL, USA) on 11/08/2008
★★★★★

For about 13 years I've suffered from acne, periodically cystic. I've been using Apple Cider Vinegar topically for something like 6 months, and it has completely turned my skin around.

I pretty much just incorporated the ACV into my skin care routine, and it has made all the difference: morning and night I use a mild cleanser to wash my face, and I then apply undiluted ACV topically using a cotton pad. I follow this up with a gentle toner and a mild moisturizer. I would say that I have very sensitive skin, and the ACV hasn't caused me any problems as long as I'm sure to use moisturizer afterwards.

My one concern is that I'm starting to notice that some little wrinkles I had are becoming more pronounced. I have no idea if the ACV is the cause of this, but I would really them to go away. Earth Clinic, please send some help my way. :-)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Tiffany (Augusta, Georgia) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★

I'm 25 and I've suffered from acne since I was 10 years old. I've been using Organic ACV for a few weeks now and it is WONDERFUL! I started with the revised dosage of ACV, 2 teaspoons ACV in 16 oz water with 2 teaspoons organic honey and I've worked my way up to 2 tablespoons ACV in 16 oz water with 1 tablespoon honey. I also mixed a toner using one part ACV, one part witch hazel, and 3 parts water in a small bottle and put it on a cotton ball applying to my skin nightly. This combination has made my skin sooooo much clearer! I get one occasional pimple but I haven't had any severe breakouts since I started using ACV. My skin has become softer and has a glow now. I LOVE IT!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kathy (Minneapolis, Mn) on 10/14/2008
★☆☆☆☆

I am with you the ACV treatment both taking it internally and applying it topically has made my skin worse. I have discontinued it and switched to milk thistle and aloe vera.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Nina (Oslo, Norway) on 09/18/2008

white vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Ariel (Athina, Greece) on 07/24/2008
★★★★★

facts : Female / 32 year's old suffering from all kinds of acne for 20 years and now because of your site I' m acne free. I was just drinking 2 tbs ACV for 2 weeks 3 times a day with water. Pity that I cannot post before and after photos. Thank you so much!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Sylvia (Toronto, Canada) on 07/02/2008

In response to J.M. You mentioned that you apply ACV directly to your face at night. I did the same thing and woke up with tight, red, itchy skin. You should mix ACV & water (50/50) in a bottle then use this mixture for a face toner at night prior to applying mortizer. That will clear up the problem and your skin will have a lovely tone. If not, you can adjust the ACV/water (25%/75%water)xoxo

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Teresa (Up North, Indiana) on 07/02/2008

This is in response to J.M. from Oakland, CA. If you are taking plain apple cider vinegar, and your body does not have the appropriate stores of bicarbonates, you are perhaps just aggravating an acidic body condition. You may want to try the baking soda/apple cider vinegar cocktail instead of plain acv for 2 weeks to see what happens. Some people report success adding the baking soda, and some don't like it. But, the fact that you are having problems with acne anyways before ACV signals an internal pre-existing issue, and getting your PH levels tested and/or balanced would be a good first step. Also, I used to eat raw almonds like they were going out of style, and had terrible cyst like acne, especially around my mouth. I stopped eating them, and the acne really got better. Oxylate (not sure if I spelled right) rich foods can flare up acne. Things like beans, nuts, etc. I think Ted suggests eating them no more than once a week if you have a similar problem. Best wishes.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Trish (Kansas City, MO) on 07/01/2008

Correction on my last comment...I meant to say that the skin is like your bodies third kidney,not second liver, hahaha. Sorry, I'm always trying to detoxify my liver so 'liver' is always on the brain! Sorry!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Trish (Kansas City, MO) on 07/01/2008

To the woman who tried ACV and complained her acne had gotten worse...your body could be going through a healing crisis. ACV is a great detoxifier and some people, like me, break out when bodies are detoxifying. For example, the first two weeks I had tried the oil pulling remedy listed on this site, my cheeks broke out horribly. I almost gave up until I spoke to my chiropractor one day. She was explaining to me that when she had her mercury-filled dental fillings removed that her face, particularly her cheeks, broke out very badly. After doing some more reading, I found out that oil pulling, with the right oil, acts as a chelator and can pull heavy metals from your body. I also have old murcery fillings in my teeth from childhood and realized that the oil pulling, since directly in my mouth, was definitely breaking down the mercury and pulling it out my bloodsream as well. Now I have been doing it for several months and don't break out from it. About a month ago I began taking a product call 'Natural Vitality' which is supposed to cleanse your body on a cellular level, it's like fasting but works faster and you don't have to give up food. I broke out very badly again during the first few weeks of this remedy as well. My herbalist said that because my body was dumping so much cellular waste at once and because your skin is basically your '2nd liver' that the waste was literally coming out through my pores. Now the acne is getting a little better. I have to drink a ton of water, and I also give my body a good steam bath every night, under a large blanket with a large pot of boiling water and tea tree oil, to help open up the pores and get everything out. Hope that helps.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Eleny (Graham, WA) on 06/16/2008
★★★★★

I have had acne ever since I was a teenager and I recently started using ACV and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on my face and it has worked wonderfully. I also put about a pea size amount of Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil on my face and it leaves my skin feeling nice and silky. I love it. The very first day I used it I had some pimples on the lower region of my face and the ACV And 3% HP got rid of them, THE FIRST DAY!! I was so excited about it. In the past I have tried many things that NEVER worked and spent so much money on products that seemed to make my acne worse. The other benefit about using 3% HP is that it lightens old acne scars. I hope that this info is helpful for anyone looking for a quick remedy that works.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Melody (Colorado) on 08/02/2006
★☆☆☆☆

I am trying apple cider vinegar for my acne, drinking it three times a day as well as applying it topically at night. But my skin is getting worse. I started 2 weeks ago.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Natalia (San Diego) on 03/03/2006
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING: DO NOT spray apple cider vinegar straight to your face before making sure you're not allergic to it. After I read all the great reviews about the benefits of ACV on acne treatment, I went to the grocery store, bought some ACV, put it in a spray bottle and applied over my face and neck. My skin started burning and I thought it was just working the way it's supposed to, until I noticed bright red spots that looked like skin rash all over my face and I washed it off right the way. I've never had any allergy problems so I never test anything before using, but this was a scary experience. I'll try hydrogen peroxide for acne treatment next time, no more ACV for me.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Earth Clinic (USA)
★★★★★

Here's a description we found on the internet of how apple cider vinegar helps cure acne. The author is unknown:

"When the blood is deficient in some minerals or biochemic salt, ill-health is the outcome e.g. boils break out, suppurating blisters become apparent, pimples appear on the face etc. It has been found however, that cider vinegar helps with the cleansing as well as the clotting of the blood. Oxidation of the blood is very important and cider vinegar is again an effective treatment for this. Besides introducing the important minerals into the blood stream, as mentioned above, cider vinegar also helps in the clotting of blood. This is of tremendous help to those people who are commonly termed 'bleeders', as they live their lives in fear of cutting themselves due to the bloods inability to clot, and it will also enhance the healing process."

http://www.vinegarbook.net/Effect_of_Cider_Vinegar_on_The_Blood.shtml

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Lisa (West Plains, MO) on 03/18/2006
★★★★★

I started drinking acv two times a day, morning and before bed. My routine goes like this: 2 little paper cups, one with a little hydrogen peroxide and the other a little acv. I take a cotton ball and soak it with the peroxide and I then use it all over my face (like astringent), careful to avoid my eyebrows. Then I wet a q-tip with the acv and dab any pimples. It is very effective with whiteheads. I hate to throw out the acv so I drink what's left. Drink in small amounts, one big swig will leave you feeling like your gonna get sick. I know from experience. When I started this routine I broke out a lot, I think this was because it was getting all the icky bacteria and toxins out of my body. It took a couple weeks but I had faith and kept up the routine. I also take two tbs. of blackstrap molasses morning and night. I am able to go from a laying down position to sitting up on my own. I am disabled and pretty much bedridden. Is this a miracle? I think so. I have more energy and don't sleep during the day which left me feeling more tired and unable to sleep at night. I take the molasses before the acv.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Debbie (High Point, North Carolina) on 05/21/2007
★★★★★

My first time on your site. I truly enjoyed reading the info. I tried the ACV, WATER and ASPIRIN for acne and redness. I was amazed it almost completely went away the first time. I only left the mask on for about 2 or 3 minutes. I did not know how my skin would react and did not want to take a chance on doing any damage to my face. But I washed the mask off and my skin was glowing. A small amount of redness was left but I know tomorrow when I use the mask all of the redness will be gone and that is what I wanted. I had a burn from too many products . Your mask hepled tremendously. Thank you

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Anonymous (USA)
★★★★★

Instead of buying expensive facial products, I mix up my own "toner" using 1/2 water, 1/2 vinegar and a few aspirins. The acids in the vinegar force your old skin cells to flake off, much like the store-bought "alpha hydroxy" products. The aspirin is my own anti-acne solution. A lot of acne products use salicylic acid, which is basically aspirin with a few small chemical differences. The aspirin won't dissolve completely, but it doesn't seem to matter. This works especially well against those big, deep acne spots which older people often get. I've been using this twice a day on my face for five years now and people are always amazed when I tell them my real age (44). One caution, though: Be sure to also use a face lotion with at least SPF 15 everyday--even in winter (Oil of Olay knock-offs are fairly cheap)--because the vinegar mixture will make your skin thinner (just like the expensive store-bought ones will) and more susceptible to sun damage. The SPF prevents age spots from forming, and that's worth the money in my book.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by KLC (Stratford, CT) on 01/26/2006
★★★★★

I've actually been using combination of baking soda and Apple Cider Vinegar to clean my face and my results have been very successful. Here is what I do daily:

Morning: I use a deep cleansing face wash. Lather and let sit for 1 min, then rinse with ACV.

Night: I add baking soda to the deep cleanser (excellent make-up remover!), lather and let sit for 1 min. Then rinse with ACV. I get a quick foaming reaction that gives a deeper pore cleansing!