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You may have read some DIY skincare ideas that include using apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar, or cider vinegar, is a vinegar made from fermented apple juice. Yes, it is usually used as an ingredient in delicious salads and sauces, but did you know that apple cider vinegar contains potassium, antioxidants, and amino acids, all of which can be beneficial to the health of your skin? It also has antibacterial properties.
Diluted apple cider vinegar can be used in DIY face cleansers and acne treatments, due to its natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has also been used as a folk remedy for some types of dermatitis. It could help combat acne caused by bacteria build up within our pores and around microscopic breaks in the skin. Apple cider vinegar also contains a natural antihistamine, called quercetin. Some dermatologists therefore recommend apple cider vinegar rinses to reduce breakouts associated with acne.
There is still a lot of research underway exploring the use and effects of apple cider vinegar as a skin care ingredient. Pure apple cider vinegar can cause chemical burns when applied to the skin in some people, so we don’t recommend using pure apple cider vinegar in a DIY skin care regimen without specific guidance from a dermatologist.
A scar can form anywhere the skin is broken deeply enough to damage surrounding skin cells. With acne, most superficial blemishes will heal cleanly, leaving no visible evidence of prior breakouts. However, in the case of cystic acne, when a clogged pore leads to infection that travels deep into the dermis, ruptured cysts can break the follicle wall and cause the infection to damage surrounding skin cells. Collagen helps to repair the damage but leaves the skin more firm and tight than the rest of your skin. Some types of acne scarring leave a concave shape, called a pockmark. Contrary to some belief, not all acne scars are caused by picking or popping your blemishes. Some occur even if the acne is allowed to heal without picking.
To prevent sun damage from making acne scars more visible, it’s best to moisturize daily and wear sunscreen. Additionally, antioxidants protect the skin from free radicals that damage cells and speed up aging. Ingredients and nutrients like acai oil, alpha-lipoic acid, green tea extract, retinol/vitamin A, coenzyme Q10, caffeine, alpha-hydroxy acid and salicylic acid are all beneficial for preventing and reducing acne scarring. Jojoba oil is also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin.
apple cider vinegar may be effective for acne scars, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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