An apple cider vinegar bath may not be a normal part of your health routine, but this common healthy substance can have a number of benefits for your skin and peace of mind.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a liquid made by adding yeast to apple juice, which removes the sugars in a process called fermentation. It is an ancient and still very common food additive and natural medicine.
Apple Cider Vinegar Bath Benefits
Because of its acidic nature and antibacterial properties, taking an apple cider vinegar bath offers a whole host of wonderful benefits for the skin and hair as per a study published in the Journal of the Dermatology Nurses’ Association. [1]
Softens Skin
Vitamin B and C in this vinegar help nourish your skin and leave it feeling soft, just as good as any other moisturizer on the market.
Reduces Blemishes
Antimicrobial and skin-soothing properties can reduce redness and swelling of the skin and clear your pores of impurities.
A jar of apple cider vinegar Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Relieves Sunburn
A lukewarm bath with ACV can help heal sun-damaged skin faster than chemical products and will have you ready to get back to your activities sooner.
Reduces Dandruff
Acetic acid helps to cleanse oils, while the many vitamins in this vinegar will nourish the scalp. Regular soaking can have great results for dandruff, split ends, and other common hair woes.
Eliminates Body Odor
By eliminating bacteria that live on the skin, you can reduce troublesome body odor in just a single treatment.
Treats and Prevent Eczema
Eczema can be simply annoying or downright painful. Sufferers looking for a natural remedy will find relief from soaking in the mild acids and vitamins, which can speed healing and reduce topical inflammation.
Fights Fungus and Infection
If you are struggling with foot fungus, try an ACV foot bath and experience the relief from its anti-fungal properties as per research by Ricardo Dias de Castro DDS, MSc, Ph.D. [2]
Treats UTI and Yeast Infection
Urinary tract or yeast infections can ruin your whole day or week. Fortunately, you can relieve milder symptoms with an apple cider vinegar soak. [3]
Reduce Joint Pain
Studies have shown that vinegar can help with knee pain, and a warm soak will help to ease swelling and loosen up those inflamed muscles!
How to Take an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath?
Let us take a look at how to take an apple cider vinegar bath in detail below.
- Step 1: Add 1-2 cups of ACV to your bath. For painful skin issues, make sure that the water is lukewarm. For detox purposes, make it as hot as you can safely stand it.
- Step 2: Add a few drops of essential oils if you like, and soak your whole body and hair for 20-30 minutes.
- Step 3: Rinse off the excess vinegar if you want, and then let your body air dry to maximize the benefits for your skin.
