Is it really safe to use apple cider vinegar for the face?

In addition to its usefulness for enriching the taste of cooking, the prestige of apple cider vinegar is also quite well known in the world of beauty as an acne killer. However, is it really safe to apply apple cider vinegar on facial skin which is very sensitive? Before trying it, let's read the medical explanation first!

What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar for facial skin care?

Apple cider vinegar contains high levels of antioxidant and antibacterial components. This is where people started using apple cider vinegar as a natural facial treatment. One of them is as an acne medication.

The benefits of apple cider vinegar as an acne medicine in particular come from the combination of its acetic, citric, lactic and succinic acids which have been proven by many different scientific studies to kill acne-causing bacteria, namely Propionibacterium acnes.

Reporting from the Men's Health page, Rajani Katta, MD, an assistant lecturer at the Baylor College of Medicine School of Medicine, confirmed the benefits of apple cider vinegar for facial acne. Katta says, "The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar can act to break down keratin that clogs pores."

Meanwhile, "apple cider vinegar also contains alpha hydroxy acid which can accelerate skin exfoliation, improve skin texture, and absorb oil so that it can dry out and fade uneven skin discoloration due to acne scars", tutue Evan Rieder, MD, assistant lecturer at the Faculty. NYU Langone Health Dermatology.

However, is it safe to use apple cider vinegar for the face?

Even though the potential of apple cider vinegar for beauty has been "told" by quite a lot of research, it does not mean that you can use it carelessly on your face.

According to dr. Listya Paramita, Sp.KK, a dermatologist who practices at Elsheskin Aestetic Clinic and also a filler in the Experts column at Hello Sehat, apple cider vinegar is a natural ingredient that is actually not recommended to be rubbed directly on the skin. Why?

In terms of medical science, until now there have been no scientific studies that can really prove the safety, benefits, and efficacy of apple cider vinegar for the face. The existing studies are limited to small laboratory studies and only look at the acid content of vinegar separately.

That's why not everyone can feel the same effects from apple cider vinegar. In people with normal skin types or mild problems, apple cider vinegar may be of benefit.

However, in certain people whose skin problems are more serious or complex, applying apple cider vinegar can make the condition worse.

Don't use apple cider vinegar if you have sensitive skin

Yes. If your skin is sensitive or has open sores, such as squeezed acne scars that have not healed, there is a greater chance of experiencing the risk of side effects from using apple cider vinegar carelessly.

It is important to note that the pH level of apple cider vinegar is quite high, which is around 2-3. Applying a material with a high acidic pH is prone to cause irritation and a reddish rash on sensitive facial skin.

Some cases have even reported that acid from vinegar can cause chemical burns on facial skin, especially if left for a long time.

All these possible risks make most dermatologists and beauticians not recommend that people use apple cider vinegar for the face.

The safe way to use apple cider vinegar for the skin

If you are still curious about the benefits of apple cider vinegar as a facial treatment, there is nothing wrong with trying it as long as you know how it is safe.

Before applying apple cider vinegar evenly across the surface of the facial skin, you should first test it by rubbing the vinegar in a thin layer on the skin behind the ears or the back of the hands. Wait 1-2 hours and if afterward your skin becomes red or irritated, don't use apple cider vinegar on your face.

If there are no worrisome effects, you can apply apple cider vinegar on your face but first dissolve with a little water. Dip a clean cotton swab into the solution and wipe it evenly onto the facial skin.

If you are still in doubt, consult a dermatologist about a safer way to treat facial skin.

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