Apple Cider Vinegar Toners: Benefits, Efficacy, DIY Recipes

• Apple cider vinegar is an astringent and can be used in a toner to balance the skin’s pH.
• It is most effective in treating the symptoms of oily and acne-prone skin types.
• Those with sensitive and dry skin should avoid using apple cider vinegar to prevent irritation.
• Add tea tree oil and green tea to apple cider vinegar DIY toner for additional benefits.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a natural ingredient derived from apple juice. It’s often favored by those interested in natural health lifestyles due to its dietary benefits, including reduced cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 

ACV’s main strength is it’s high acidity. When used in toners, it helps to balance the skin’s pH levels and provides effective results in treating acne, blackheads, scarring and oiliness. 

ACV toners are natural skin treatments and can be made easily at home with a few simple ingredients.

Why is Apple Cider Vinegar Used in Toners?

Toners are beneficial within a skin care routine, helping to remove leftover oils and residue after cleansing. They also help to rebalance your skin’s pH, leaving skin smooth and refreshed.

Apple cider vinegar is especially useful as it is an astringent ingredient within toners as it helps to control oil and reduce the appearance of pores.

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Treating acne

Bacteria can enter and aggravate skin’s pores, resulting in inflamed and infected pimples. Apple cider vinegar has the potential to fight bacteria, and reduce the risk of painful breakouts and infection.

However, if you are already using strong acne treatments it is advisable to avoid apple cider vinegar as it may further irritate skin, leading to dryness and irritation.

Oily skin

Oily skin is caused by an overproduction of sebum, a natural oil produced by the body to protect and moisturize the skin. Those with oily skin may also have pores that appear enlarged. The astringent properties of apple cider vinegar help to effectively target and treat both of these issues by removing excess oil and tightening pores.

Reducing the appearance of scars

Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used in various beauty products and treatments to treat skin texture irregularities by removing dead skin cells and stimulating the production of fresh, healthy cells.

Apple cider vinegar contains lactic acid, an ingredient belonging to the AHA group and is beneficial for those who have scarring as a result of acne flare-ups. Added to toner, the high acidity is purported to reduce the appearance of scars by removing the damaged outer layer of skin.  

Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is often a result of sun exposure or acne, appearing as darker patches on the face. The exfoliating properties of apple cider vinegar may help to treat uneven complexions by promoting skin cell regeneration.

Apple Cider Vinegar Toners and skin type

The effectiveness of apple cider vinegar often depends on skin type. As an astringent, apple cider vinegar toner is well suited to all skin types except very dry skin, due to its drying properties. Instead, choose a skin toner that contains hydrating and soothing ingredients, such as rose water and aloe vera.

Skin type	Most effective for…
Normal	Balancing skin pH
Oily	Reducing the appearance of enlarged pores often associated with oily skin Removing excess oil
Acne-prone	Fighting bacteria Removing oil Reducing hyperpigmentation

Are Apple Cider Vinegar Toners Safe?

When using astringent toners, it is best to limit use to once per day if you have normal or combination skin. Overuse will strip away oils and the result will be overly dry skin. 

For those with very oily skin, it may be necessary to use toners twice a day. Use caution to see how your skin reacts and adjust the frequency of use.

Allergic reactions to astringents include a burning sensation, itching and redness on the affected area. If you do experience a negative reaction from using apple cider vinegar toner, rinse your face immediately with cool water.

Skin purging

If it is your first time using apple cider vinegar, your skin may go through a purging process while it adjusts to a new ingredient in your regime. The AHAs present in apple cider vinegar encourage a faster skin cell turnover. This increased turnover causes impurities blocked deep within your skin to be forced to its surface, resulting in breakouts and the formation of pimples.

Your skin will usually clear after a few weeks. However, if you continue to experience breakouts, this is likely to be due to a reaction; if so, discontinue use. 

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar Toners in Your Routine

As with all toners, apple cider vinegar should be used as a second step in your skin care routine. 

1. Cleanse with a gentle face wash and pat dry.
2. Apply apple cider vinegar toner using a cotton pad or cotton ball. Start from the center of the face and gently sweep outward toward your forehead, cheeks and chin. Avoid the delicate eye area.
3. Apply serum or moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated and protected.

DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Facial Toners

An inexpensive, effective toner can be created at home using simple ingredients and a spray bottle or glass bottle. Offering the same benefits to your skin as commercial toners, DIY toners allow you to select the ingredients that work most effectively with your individual skin type.

When trying any new ingredients on your skin, you should perform a patch test. Apply a small amount of your DIY toner to a discreet area of skin to check whether irritation occurs.

For oily skin – apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil                                                              

For those seeking to control oiliness, a combination of apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil will provide effective results. Tea tree oil is known for its useful properties, especially within skin care, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup of raw apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups of distilled water
• 3–5 drops of tea tree oil

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients and stir
2. Transfer to a glass bottle
3. Store on a shelf; refrigeration not needed

For acne – apple cider vinegar and green tea

Using a combination of apple cider vinegar and green tea as a homemade toner can relieve your skin of inflammation and redness and reduce the appearance of acne. Research also shows that green tea is also useful in reducing sebum production.

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 2 cups of water (double this for sensitive skin)
• 2 green tea bags

Method:

1. Boil tea bags in water; let cool. 
2. Add apple cider vinegar and combine
3. Transfer to a glass bottle
4. Refrigerate and discard after 2 weeks

For normal skin – apple cider vinegar and vitamin E oil

If you have a normal skin type and simply need a toner to keep your complexion clear and maintain a natural pH balance, this combination of apple cider vinegar and vitamin E will help to cleanse and protect your skin. Research has shown that vitamin E is effective in protecting the skin from ultraviolet damage caused by the sun.

Ingredients needed:

• 1 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 4 cups of water
• 5 drops of vitamin E oil

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients
2. Transfer to a glass bottle
3. Store in a cool dark area
4. Discard if color changes or odor develops

Alternatives to Apple Cider Vinegar Toners

Some people find the odor of apple cider vinegar to be off-putting when used as a facial toner. If you would prefer to use a natural ingredient with a milder scent, witch hazel and tea tree oil are two potential alternatives.

Witch hazel is often used to treat oily and acne-prone skin. As a natural astringent, this ingredient works similarly to apple cider vinegar by reducing excess oil.

Alternatively, tea tree oil may provide antibacterial and anti-inflammatory benefits for your skin. This may help reduce the swelling caused by pimples and prevent any potential infection from occurring.

Takeaway

Apple cider vinegar toner is ideal for normal, oily, or acne-prone skin. It is not an appropriate choice for those with dry skin as it can lead to further dryness and irritation. 

Incorporate apple cider vinegar into your daily regime to help remove excess oil and improve your complexion. To avoid irritation, always dilute apple cider vinegar in water, or avoid using altogether if you are using strong anti-acne treatments or have dry skin.

Diluted apple cider vinegar toners are generally safe to use topically as part of your skin care regimen. Creating your own DIY toner can be cost-effective and allow you the opportunity to select ingredients that will target your specific skin concerns.