Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Using apple cider vinegar for skin

Once regarded as an ancient preservative and remedy, apple cider vinegar remains widely used today for a variety of purposes, including skin care. Many people apply apple cider vinegar as a facial toner.

A toner, or facial toner, is a skin-care product used on the face and neck after cleansing. Toners are typically astringent and can be drying, designed to remove surface impurities while also helping to hydrate and protect the skin.

To work well, toners must combine ingredients that deliver both astringent and moisturizing effects.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV), which includes astringent acids, may serve as a natural toner. Numerous users report positive outcomes.

Let’s explore this further, starting with a simple toner formula and then examining how ACV toner might help the skin.

Making ACV toner

Preparing your own apple cider vinegar toner is straightforward and easy to do at home.

A very simple mix is a dilution of apple cider vinegar with water:

• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar to about a glass of water (8 oz. or 150 ml)

Some people create fancier blends that include extra ingredients beneficial for skin. These might feature essential oils, witch hazel, or rosewater. The recipe below includes all of these:

Apple cider vinegar toner recipe

• 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 glass water (about 8 oz.)
• 1 tsp. rosewater
• 2-3 drops essential oil (lavender or chamomile suggested)
• 1 tsp. witch hazel (for oily skin)

Combine the ingredients in a glass container.

Soak a cotton pad in the toner mixture and apply to targeted areas, especially the face and neck. It’s usually best to do this after cleansing — either twice daily or after each wash.

If you have leftover toner, it can be stored at room temperature and reused later.

Important notes

• Those with sensitive or dry skin should be careful when using toner. Minimize or skip essential oils, rosewater, or witch hazel if your skin is reactive.
• Apple cider vinegar can be drying. For dry skin types, reducing the amount to 1 tbsp. or less per 8 oz. of water can help prevent excessive dryness.
• Your water choice may matter as well. For instance, some tap water is hard (high in minerals), which can also dry out your skin.

warningBefore applying apple cider vinegar or other components to your face or neck, perform a patch test to check for signs of an allergic reaction.

Benefits of using ACV as a toner

Although many personal reports praise apple cider vinegar’s benefits, there are no definitive studies comparing ACV toners to mainstream toners or proving they are superior (or inferior). Still, there are potential advantages.

ACV is known for its astringent properties because of its tannin content. This may help cleanse the skin, a benefit reported by some users.

Apple cider vinegar also contains acetic acids with antimicrobial effects. These can reduce skin bacteria, including strains linked to acne, which means ACV might be helpful for acne-prone skin.

Apple cider vinegar possible benefits

• astringent
• cleansing
• removes impurities
• tightens skin (astringent)
• acetic acids reduce skin bacteria

Using ACV toner on acne scars

Many online sources claim apple cider vinegar toners can fade or lessen the appearance of scars. To date, no studies have conclusively tested this. Some articles even warn against using ACV for scar removal.

For minor scars, apple cider vinegar might offer some improvement, though it is not proven to be consistently effective.

One study indicates organic acids produced by natural fermentation, like those in ACV, can act like a chemical peel. This may kill acne-related bacteria, reduce inflammation, and lower the risk of acne scarring simultaneously.

Further research is necessary, but an apple cider vinegar toner could potentially be a natural approach to reducing acne scarring.

WarningAvoid putting undiluted apple cider vinegar on the skin. The acids it contains can irritate or cause discomfort across all skin types if not properly diluted.

Other possible acne scar-reducing remedies to explore

• salicylic acid
• raw onions
• licorice extract
• retinoid products
• vitamin A
• lemon juice
• cortisone creams
• silicone sheets or gels
• microdermabrasion

Other effective natural toners

Apple cider vinegar toners aren’t the sole natural skin-care options you can try at home. There are many alternatives.

Some top ingredients for natural toners that have some scientific support include:

• honey
• tea tree oil
• green tea
• aloe vera

Additional natural components backed by preliminary studies include:

• pine bark
• milk thistle
• rosemary
• grape seed

Their usefulness in cosmetic formulations is largely due to their antioxidant effects.

The bottom line

People are enthusiastic about apple cider vinegar for many reasons, including its perceived skin-care benefits. Its role as a natural toner is commonly embraced.

Many users report favorable results, and some evidence-based benefits for skin exist, though more research is required. Claims about scar removal remain unproven, yet some studies hint at potential effects.

If you have questions, consult a dermatologist or esthetician, and consider your skin type before making or using ACV toners. They may be more suitable for certain skin types than others.