Jan 7, 2015

The One Skincare Item Every Woman Needs - Apple Cider Vinegar



There are some revolutionary skincare items that will be shared with my children and grandchildren. This is one of them. Along with my favourite mask recipe that you can find here.

Apple Cider Vinegar has been a crucial step to my skin routine for the past 4 years. It was a major game changer when I was still struggling with my acne. It also dramatically changed the way my skin looked and felt.

It helps to reduce and treat breakouts, has anti-bacterial properties, has a naturally occurring Alpha-Hydroxy Acid (AHA) to help to naturally exfoliate the skin which hence give it some anti-aging property. Need I say more? The truth is, I can't live without this. Trust me, I've tried.


What is Apple Cider Vinegar?

No, it's not those clear vinegar you find in your kitchen cabinet. Apple Cider Vinegar is a light brown liquid which might or might not have brown sedimentation at the bottom. To cut the long story short, it's fermented crushed apple juice, where the sugars in the apples are converted to alcohol which is then allowed to oxidise to acid. It contains acetic acid and some malic acid, lactic acid and citric acid.

How It Works

Antibacterial properties

The acetic acid component in Apple Cider Vinegar have proved to be anti-bacterial. This is great for those who are prone to breakouts as many cases of acne can be attributed to P. acnes bacteria. I talked about how P.acnes bacteria causes acne in my post Clear Skin: The Cause of Breakouts.

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Exfoliation 

Apple Cider Vinegar contains naturally derived Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHA) mainly in the form of malic acid which is a chemical exfoliant. It gently slough away dead skin cells on the skin's surface while stimulating cell turnover. The AHA component have been proven to be effective in treating acne, which is what I attribute my success with Apple Cider Vinegar to.

You can read more about AHA in my post Clear Skin and Anti-ageing: AHA.

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pH balance: 

Some sources have noted that Apple Cider Vinegar have the ability to restore the skin's natural pH at 4.5-5.5. They mentioned that our skin may become more alkaline with the regular use of facial cleansers, which may make it more susceptible to acne breakouts.

Another concern that I did not talk about in my posts on Salicylic acid and AHA products is the pH level. The concern is that the products might not be acidic enough for it to genuinely be effective. This has never been a major concern of mine because of my regular use of my Apple Cider Vinegar toner underneath those products.

Pectin:

Like apple juice, Apple Cider Vinegar likely contains some pectin. Studies have found it to promote the growth of epidermal skin cells and hence fight skin ageing. I read about it here

Vitamins:

According to various sources, Apple Cider Vinegar also contains some vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E along with other thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, beta-carotene and lycopene.
This information have not been proven to a great extent. Like many claims on the internet, I would take it with a pinch of salt. 


Minerals

Said to be high in potassium whilst containing other minerals like sodium, calcium, iron and magnesium. Again, there has been little proof.

Which brand of Apple Cider Vinegar?

My all time favourite is the one by BRAGG. It's raw, unfiltered, organic and certified non-GMO ( Genetically Modified Organism). According to them, the unfiltered vinegar contains the apple peel which is rich in antioxidants. Since it's raw, it is unpasteurised which helps to retain the apple enzymes.

Don't be deceived by the cloudy dirty-looking 'gunk' at the bottom of the bottle too! Those strands are enzyme protein molecules, which are highly regarded for health and nutritional benefits.

How I use it: 

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

What you'll need:

1. Air-tight glass jar

2. Unfiltered and raw Apple Cider Vinegar (not the clear ones)

3. Cooled green tea/ distilled water

Directions:

In a air-tight glass jar, mix one teaspoon/tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to 3 teaspoon/tablespoon of room temperature green tea or distilled water.

This is the starting concentration I would recommend to any who are just starting on Apple Cider Vinegar. Chill toner in the refrigerator to minimise any irritation and for a greater pore minimising effect when applied to the skin. The maximum concentration I have tried and will recommend is 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar : 2 tablespoon green tea /distilled water.

Tone using a cotton pad after cleansing, preferably at night. It does smell a bit, hence I wouldn't recommend using it in the day. If the smell gets too much, dilute mixture further.

Note: Using green tea may be great for its anti-oxidising effects, but do note that the 'shelf-life' of your toner will dramatically shorten due to the natural oxidation process that green tea undergoes. I opt for distilled water on lazy days.



Side effects: 

Like any AHA, there may be some minor side effects like stinging or burning that may be felt. Dilute it further if any minor irritations occur. Do not use it on broken skin or it will sting!


Conclusion: 

Of course, there are still insufficient studies conducted on many of these claims. Like everything else, just because it have not been proven does not make it less true nor more false. I can only share with you my experiences because it helped my skin so much, it'd be a great pity not to.

It's also important to note that like any other product on the market, results varies from person to person. My success may not necessarily translate to yours. A general thumb rule I carry is: you know your skin better than any one else. So if any irritation gets too much, remove and rinse with water.


Do remember to share this post on Google+, Facebook and Twitter if you've found this useful!

Till then,

-C

3 comments :

  1. Great advice i cant wait to try :)!

    ReplyDelete
  2. how long u let the apple cider vinegar on before u wash your face? can i use night cream after that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi grace!
      I use it as a toner actually, so it is left overnight. Feel free to follow with your usual night routine after, including your night cream!

      -C

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