All-natural and readily available in most grocery stores, apple cider vinegar is a great tool to have in your beauty tool belt. It’s one of the most raw, poten live foods you can consume, rich in enzymes, potassium and other minerals, and filled with pre-biotics to support digestion. This has been linked to better health, clearer skin, and a cleansed system.

It’s really simple to use apple cider vinegar at home to improve your beauty routine. Here are some ideas to use apple cider vinegar to keep you and your body balanced and healthy:

Beauty Shot

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, a property that helps the body break down fat. When taken regularly, a daily serving of apple cider vinegar can boost your metabolism, increase energy levels, detoxify the body, and aid in weight loss. Consider adding anywhere from one teaspoon to two tablespoon to your morning routine to reap the rewards for yourself. Apple cider vinegar can be taken straight, but can also be diluted with water or added to your favorite juice or smoothie.

Skin’s Best Friend

Thanks to its antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar can help keep breakouts and skin issues under control. Use topically to trouble areas or dilute with water and replace it with your regular face wash once a day. Additionally, many apple cider vinegar converts notice a reduction in skin blotchiness and redness as well as improvements in the overall texture of their skin. Who doesn’t want a clearer and smoother complexion?  Bonus!

Hair Care

Struggling with dry skin, especially when it comes to your hair? Dilute apple cider vinegar in half with filtered water and apply it directly to the scalp. Allow the vinegar to soak in for at least 15 minutes before rinsing and follow up with your favorite conditioner or hair oil for the ultimate pampering treatment. The acidity in the vinegar helps to balance out the body’s pH levels, often correcting skin flaking issues. It can also be used in place of shampoo for an ultra-cleansing experience.

A Squeaky Clean Mouth

Looking for an eco-friendly alternative to those neon green mouthwashes? Gargle a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to kill unwanted bacteria and keep your mouth odor-free. For those of us accustomed to artificial minty flavors, feel free to mix a larger batch to keep on hand – just cut the solution in half with water and add in a few drops of peppermint essential oil (which will also support digestion). Apple cider vinegar can also break down stains on the teeth, acting as a all-natural teeth whitener. Just be careful of overuse as the acidity could damage tooth enamel over time.

Workout Buddy

As we’ve already covered, apple cider vinegar has some major bacterial and fungal-killing power. If you work out regularly, apple cider vinegar can help treat athlete’s foot or other skin fungal infections when directly applied to the affected area. Don’t have time to wash your gym clothes immediately after a workout? Keep a small spray bottle of diluted vinegar by your hamper and mist dirty clothes to keep bacteria at bay until laundry day.

Have you added apple cider vinegar to your beauty routine yet? If so, we’d love to hear about the creative ways you’ve been benefiting from this magical ingredient!

Image Source: Wikipedia Commons