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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.
Oily skin occurs when the sebaceous glands in the pores are producing more oil, or sebum, than necessary. Sebum is natural in all skin as it keeps the skin moist and healthy. Over production of sebum can be caused by hormones, genetics or could even be a result of dry skin over-compensating by producing extra oil, in order to retain some measure of moisture.
Oily skin can also be caused by using the wrong products for your skin type. For example, if you are using overly drying soaps and astringents for your skin type, your skin may respond by over producing oil to compensate, as mentioned above. This can create an unfortunate cycle of using harsh soaps to eliminate oils, but instead exacerbating the problem.
On the other hand, overly oily makeup and products can also cause oily skin.
Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells to keep pores unclogged and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for treating acne as well. Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep oily pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil is also good for fighting bacteria trapped in oily skin and maintaining a moisture barrier to prevent over-production of sebum.
apple cider vinegar may be effective for oily skin, 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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