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 Madison (Winchester, VA) on 01/25/2009
Hi I'm Madison (18) and I have been suffered from moderate acne since i was 15 or so and it seems that now being on the pill it has relatively helped my acne but once it hits a week before my period, my face breaks out majorly. So I've been reading about how ACV has really preformed miracles on many acne sufferers, so I have decided to suffer drinking this horrible tasting drink for awhile and see if it'll work for me as well. But I have one question? is it ok to be drink Apple Cider Vinegar Natural by White House. I wasn't quite sure on the differences of organic and natural. Thanks for taking the time to read this!! -Madi
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jeremiah (San Diego, California) on 07/12/2009
The difference between natural and organic is that sometimes a product can be natural with nothing added to the product (i.e. only ACV without preservatives, etc), yet be grown using conventional farming techniques. Organic means that it is grown by USDA Organic Farming Measures, meaning no herbicides, pesticides, or anything else that can harm a person. Earth Clinic should have a better description of what I mean, but that pretty much sums it up. Organic is always best.
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 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 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 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 Alice (Singapore) on 01/18/2009
Hi Kassandra, I've been on ACV exactly 2 weeks now. I used it as topical about 3 times a day and drink it twice a day, dilute with water.
I dunno if it is helping. Into the 2nd week, it got worse. The side of my cheek broke out with lots of pimples..small ones..but lots of them. my chin has also some today, so is my forehead.Is this purging?I do facial.. and my beautician was surprised to see the outbreak.
I had pimples problem in my teens. After which it never bothers me until lately. im 36.
Im really hoping ACV will do some miracle to my condition. I'm still waiting. And keep telling myself to at least try for 1 month before giving up.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Lisa (Russelville, KY USA) on 04/17/2009
The skin has several functions; none of those functions are to remove toxins from the body. That is the job of the liver and kidneys. Don't let anyone tell you that toxins will leave the body through the skin. Acne is a disease, not to be cured by leaving through skin pores.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Ralph (Miami, FL) on 07/20/2009
You might want to check your biology books again. The skin is your largest organ of absorbtion and ellimination.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Azg (Toronto, On) on 09/21/2009
Lisa, from Russelville KY - You're completely wrong there. Your skin DOES eliminate toxins. It probably eliminates more than your bladder does. Just because your skin doesn't smell like urine or feces doesn't mean it's not eliminating. Notice how beautiful your skin gets when you drink 8-10 glasses of water a day (that's because the toxins your skin is eliminating aren't struggling to get out - therefore your skin glows). Notice how beautiful your skin gets when you excercise to the point of sweat pouring off your skin (or even going to the sauna) - you're helping your body eliminate those toxins, so again...your skin will be glowing.
Ask any doctor. They'll tell your body eliminates toxins through your colons, your bladder, your BREATH, and your skin.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 J.M. (Oakland, CA) on 03/10/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Please post this question on the site for readers to respond to* Hi! I'm in my mid-20's and I've had pretty clear skin for about 5 years after things were pretty bad as a teenager. Recently, however, my face has really broken out in places that I've never had pimples before, such as my forehead and my cheeks. I came across the Apple Cider Vinegar remedy on this site and decided to give it a try. For the past five days, I've been drinking 2 tsps 2 or 3 times per day and applying it directly to my face before I go to bed (after gently washing with mild soap and water).
Things seem to be getting worse, though. My pimples don't look much better and I seem to be getting more and more every morning. Did this happen to anyone else? Should I continue with the treatment and hope that things get better? Is this a case of things will get worse temporarily so things will be better in the long run? Any advice or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!
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 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 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 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 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 Sheri (Toronto) on 08/12/2016
You should water down the acv.....also.....your body is trying to get rid of toxins....so in the beginning I may get worse before it gets better....like when a smoker coughs more than ever for a while AFTER they quit smoking.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kenny (Strathclyde, Scotland) on 02/19/2008
★★★★★
I have been trying ACV for a while now and agree that it's great for improving metabolism and curbing apetite. I use supermarket bought organic ACV. However, for some time now (since before I started ACV), I've suffered red SPOTS/PIMPLES on the face/cheeks and on my head, and since I have little hair, it's particularly unsightly, I also had kind of FLAKEY SKIN on these areas, both would normally be quite itchy. I have recently taken to the topical application of ACV on these areas, speculatively. I have to say, in just a couple of days, the results are dramatic... I tilt the bottle onto a cotton pad a couple of times to saturate it, about the same size as a cosmetic make-up remover and wipe all over my face and head liberally, avoiding the eyes (cos it stings). I leave it on and repeat several times a day (just remember to wash the face with clean lukewarm water before you go out and pat it dry). The resulting effect is no redness, no flakey skin, just a taught, fresh-faced complexion. To compliment that, I have been taking daily sauna and steam bath treatments, interspersed with cold showers,excellent for a variety of conditions I'm sure, marvellous for the circulation, very invigorating and great for the skin, which I read here somewhere - is like the body's third kidney, and when in tip-top working condition, serves the body well to flush-out and detox the system. Try it!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Sasha (La, US) on 04/12/2014
You mentioned that you get itchy after eating well you are allergic to something your eating. My doctor put me on an elmination diet because of itchiness rash and host of other very unpleasant symptoms . Some doctor do not know that most allergy tests are fifty percent accurate so the best thing is to get on a elmination dit , which is eat rice, chicken turkey all veges except the night shades, .. you can have garlic onions oilive oil water and pear blueberries eat that for two weeks for gluten /wheat to get out of your symptom it takes a half year to see full effects the reintroduce one food at time for half a day then go bacl on the elimination diet for three and half days, then do the same, with dairy corn, sugar soy citrus
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Emmanuel Doctolero (Manila, Philippines) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★
i went to the market and bought a brand named SUN SELECT ACV that has 5% acidity. i tried the apple cider vinegar for one night as i applied it over my face remember i dilute it with water before applying it, an amount that suit to cover my whole face i just observed the next day i woke up the oiliness in my face decreased, the bumps which i personally call active irrate flattened up and the redness also decreased. i am quite disturbed regarding some infos of ACV from different sites that ACV can burn skin and can cause scarring too becaus i know its a vinegar and also can cause enamel damage(teeth), throat burns, esophageal burns, and stomach burns because i also drink apple cider vinegar mixed only with water. help me give me the best possible true explanation regarding those claims to clear my mind so i wont be disturbed too much. thank you
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Nick (Bogota, Colombia) on 01/23/2008
★★★★★
re: ACV CURING MY ACNE PLUS LOOSE STOOLS, please read my story.. I would like to start by saying how great and fast a cure ACV it's been for my problem with acne. My case it's very specific, because it started at 18, when i was in my darkest hour,moving to a different place and being extremely unhappy, but my situation recently changed, i am 24 now, also i came back to my country, but after trying all the normal and homeopathic medicine have to offer except accutane, i decided to give ACV a try. Reading about all i thought that my case might have something to do with my acidity and alkalinity levels, (my acne it's only in the face, not in the t-zone, just the cheeks, my hair and skin is very oily, my blood very thin and hard to coagulate and i have no antecedents of acne in my family..) I found some here in my country, although i wasn't feeling too confident because it was very hard to find, they all have regular apple vinegar. well i started to drink it, and i've been doing it for almost a month now. my acne it's almost gone, my skin quality changed completely, i am very happy, not totally cured but getting there. PLEASE TRY IT
Now my real problem it's that i've been taking two tbs. of ACV in water with my food, that's been mostly vegetables and rice and potatoes, maybe some chicken but no red meat. and it's making me have some mild diarrhea and it's uncomfortable because i have to run for bathrooms all the time. i've been reading and i don't know if i should take the baking soda with it, replace it with lemon, or take it hours before eating.. please help me, because i don't want to stop taking it, and be back to my acne self. ok i thank you very much for your attention, and hope to see the answer soon, and post it to so it can help people too. it's been a long and painful trip, but i'm good to see that i'm dealing with it thanks to your site.
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 Andreina (Roma, Italy) on 12/27/2007
★★★★★
In the morning, I mix 1Tbl ACV with a pint of water, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. I put it in a bottle and drink it throughout the day. I repeat the prosedure in the afternooon, so I drink 2 pints a day. It cures everything (my acne, sore throat, stomach ache, dry skin, sore joints...etc) I've been doing this for 3 months, and have dropped 7.5 kilograms! I <3 water! Be sure to mix it with salt and vinegar, so you don't lose vital nutrients, and sodium!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Martha (Lawrenceville, GA) on 10/04/2007
★★★★★
I've always had trouble with acne -- I could never get my skin completely under control. ACV helped -- taking it internally -- but I still broke out in a monthly cycle. I started using aloe vera gel on my face a few weeks ago, and my skin has cleared up dramatically. I've not had one breakout, and my skin is getting to be so pretty! I just use a generic aloe vera gel that I picked up in the drugstore.
