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Skin & Hair Concerns
Question #15497
45 days ago
134

vinegar on face - #15497

Zoya

I am really curious about using vinegar on face after hearing a friend rave about its benefits. Like, she swears by vinegar on face as a natural remedy for acne and dark spots, and when I tried it, my skin didn’t freak out immediately but I feel like it’s making my face kinda dry? I have sensitive skin, and my friend said using vinegar on face could help with pH balance, but is that true? I’ve been mixing it with water which I thought was smart, but I still see some redness afterward. I’ve read that vinegar on face can also exfoliate or whatever, but I guess I’m worried about overdoing it? I really want to clear up my skin without making it worse. My skin sometimes gets oily, especially in my T-zone, but then it’s also flaky in other places. I’m thinking maybe vinegar on face should be part of a routine, right? Should I be using it every day, or would that be too much? What should I look for like side effects or something? Any tips would be great because I wanna see results but don’t wanna screw up my face.

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Doctors’ responses

Using vinegar on your face can indeed be a bit of a double-edged sword, especially for sensitive skin like yours. Vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, is often touted as a natural remedy for skin issues due to its acetic acid content, which might help with exfoliation and balancing the skin’s pH to some extent. However, the acidity can also be quite harsh, leading to dryness, redness, or irritation if not used cautiously. Mixing it with water was smart because that dilutes its potency; a common recommendation is one part vinegar to three or four parts water, although this can still be too strong for some skin types.

If you’re noticing dryness and redness, I would suggest using it no more than two to three times a week and monitoring your skin’s response. Applying a good moisturizer afterwards can help counteract the dryness. You mentioned your skin can be both oily and flaky, so it might also be worth consulting a dermatologist for advice tailored specifically to your skin type.

Look out for signs of excessive dryness, peeling, or irritation that don’t improve, as those might indicate that vinegar isn’t suitable for your skin. As for incorporating vinegar into your routine, it’s important not to use it daily right from the start; your skin needs time to adjust. Depending on your reaction, you might even want to take a break from it and assess how your skin feels without it.

Also, if you haven’t already, patch test on a small area before applying to your face and avoid using it alongside other active skincare ingredients like retinoids or acids, which could amplify irritation. Lastly, make sure to apply sunscreen during the day as vinegar can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. If your skin issues persist, medical advice from a professional might offer more targeted solutions.

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