5 Reasons To Wash Your Face With Apple Cider Vinegar
You
may remember the smell of apple cider vinegar from your grandmother’s
house. Perhaps she made you drink it when you had an upset stomach or
used it to dab on your mosquito
bites or
sunburn. Well, guess what? Apple cider vinegar is back.
Grandma
was right, it is a go to remedy for a large number of conditions and
keeping a jar of organic raw apple cider in your kitchen and bathroom
at all times is a great idea.
But
how could something so simple be so powerful? The benefits
of organic raw apple cider vinegar are
found in the living giving force known endearingly as “The Mother.”
Although the mother looks more like a scary spider web floating
around near the bottom of the bottle, it is this substance that
contains active ingredients to boost your overall health and
wellbeing. The mother is alive, teeming with beneficial bacteria and
nutrients.
How Is Apple Cider Vinegar Made?
Raw
apple cider vinegar is made from organic apples and goes through a
double fermentation process. During this process, enzymes and other
nutrients are preserved and work together to bring out therapeutic
properties.
Here
are just a few amazing nutritional facts about this fermented drink:
- Apple cider vinegar contains potassium that helps keep teeth strong, prevents hair loss and remedies a runny nose.
- Apple cider vinegar contains pectin that keep blood pressure regular and can reduce “bad’ cholesterol.
- Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid which makes it a good defense against viruses, bacteria and fungus.
- Apple cider vinegar contains calcium which helps keep our teeth and bones strong and healthy.
- Apple cider vinegar contains ash which normalizes your body’s pH and maintains a healthy alkaline state.
- Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid what reduces the speed at which sugar enters the blood after a meal.
- Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C and E
How is Apple Cider Vinegar Different From White Vinegar?
Regular
white or brown vinegar does not contain any of the health-promoting
properties that are found in apple cider vinegar. This type of
vinegar has been put through rigorous distilling and processing and
in the process all of its nutrients are stripped away. Raw organic
apple cider vinegar is made up of living bacteria that is beneficial
to health.
If
you don’t see the cobweb like substance in the bottle, don’t
expect the vinegar to provide any therapeutic value. Remember… look
for the mother.
What About Putting Apple Cider Vinegar on Your Face?
Apple
cider vinegar is equally as effective when taken internally as when
it is applied to the skin externally. In fact, many people use apple
cider vinegar as part of their daily beauty regime. It is a cost
effective, 100% natural and organic way to keep your skin feeling
fresh and supple.
5 Reasons To Wash Your Face with Apple Cider Vinegar
If
you reach for commercial soap and cleaners to wash your face you may
be doing more harm than good. Many of these products contain
fragrances, dyes and other chemicals that can dry out your skin and
leave it looking and feeling tired and rough.
The
good news is that there are numerous things found in nature that can
nourish your skin and keep it feeling and looking its best. One of
these is apple cider vinegar.
Here
are five great reasons to consider washing your face with apple cider
vinegar. A word of caution – don’t put apple cider vinegar full
strength over your face – it can burn. Use a diluted mixture of 50%
water and 50% apple cider vinegar and be sure to try the solution on
the skin on your hand or elsewhere before putting on your face. In
very rare instances, some people are sensitive to this solution.
- Apple cider vinegar can help reduce age spots: When you wash your face daily with apple cider vinegar you will notice a substantial difference in age spots. Apple cider vinegar contains alpha hydroxy acids that will remove dead skin and reveal healthy and vibrant new skin. In addition to washing with a splash of apple cider vinegar, dab a little on a cotton ball and apply directly to age spots. Wait about thirty minutes and rinse your face with cool water and pat dry. Do this twice daily for six weeks and you will see a difference.
- Apple cider vinegar fights blemishes: No need to buy commercial acne cream when you can use apple cider vinegar. When apple cider vinegar is made, malic acid forms. This makes apple cider vinegar a potent antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral substance capable of keeping bacteria at bay and pimples from forming.
- Apple cider vinegar balances your skin: While removing oil from your skin, apple cider vinegar also helps to balance pH and keeps your skin from becoming too oily or too dry by balancing the production of sebum. Rinse your face daily with apple cider vinegar if you desire balance.
- Apple cider vinegar fights wrinkles: Diluted apple cider vinegar face wash can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. You can soak a cotton pad or cotton cloth in diluted apple cider vinegar and dab on your skin. Rinse with warm water and pat dry.
- Apple cider vinegar removes toxins from your face: Regular use of an apple cider vinegar wash will help draw toxins out of your skin leaving a youthful and clean glow.
Some Strange and Not So Strange Common Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Salad
dressing: Use apple cider
vinegar in place of your usual salad dressing. Try mixing a ½ cup of
the vinegar with 2 tablespoons of raw honey and a squeeze of lemon
juice for a delicious topping for any salad.
Fluffy
rice: Add a touch of apple cider vinegar when cooking rice.
Your rice will be fluffier and taste great.
All
purpose cleaner: Apple
cider vinegar is a powerful all purpose cleaner that can be used in
just about every space in your home. Simply mix 1 part vinegar with 1
part water and 3 drops of essential oil. Mix in a spray bottle and
use liberally on counters, in the bathroom and even for dusting.
To
catch fruit flies: Fruit flies love the taste of apple cider
vinegar and thus, it makes excellent bait for a trap. Put a little
apple cider vinegar in a cup topped with a drop of dish soap. Set the
cup on your counter and watch the fruits flies drop in.
Steak
marinade: Marinate your grass fed beef in apple cider
vinegar about 30 minutes before cooking. Your meat will be tender and
delicious
Clean
fruits and veggies: A diluted apple cider vinegar wash works
great to clean your fruits and veggies. Remember, it is always best
to wash your produce, even your organic produce.
Ease
leg cramps: Leg cramps often occur because of a lack of
potassium. If you have leg cramps, rub a liberal amount of apple
cider vinegar on the area of pain.
Remove
warts: Warts can be annoying and painful. Although many
products exist over the counter to remedy them, they can be costly,
sometimes painful and often ineffective. Soak a cotton ball in apple
cider vinegar and bandage it in place. Leave it on overnight.
To
fight off a yeast infection: To
remedy a yeast infection, add ½ cup of apple cider vinegar to your
bathwater and soak for twenty minutes.
As
a healthy hair rinse: For shiny and manageable locks, rinse
your hair with ½ cup apple cider vinegar and ½ cup water. Do this
several times a week to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Flea
bath: Rinse your dogs after bathing with apple cider vinegar
to keep the fleas away.You can also make a flea spray with half
water, half apple cider vinegar and a few drops of peppermint
essential oil. Spray this on your pets betting and coat to keep fleas
at bay.
To
clear a stuffy nose: If
you have a stuffy
nose due
to seasonal allergies or even a cold, mix 1 tablespoon of apple cider
vinegar in a glass of warm water and drink. You can add a little raw
honey and a squeeze of lemon to taste.
To
remedy heartburn: It
may seem counterintuitive to drink apple cider vinegar when you have
heartburn, but it works. This is because heartburn or acid
reflux is
not a problem with too much acid but actually too little. Mix two
tablespoons apple cider vinegar with a 8 ounces of filtered water and
drink before you eat.
Apple Cider Vinegar Recipes for Skin, Hair and Overall Health
Here
are some great beauty recipes you can make at home using apple cider
vinegar.
Skin Clarifying Mask
This
is a great mask to use once a week to keep your skin clean and fresh.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- ¼ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon ginger kombucha
Mix
everything together in a shallow bowl and apply to your face. Rinse
with warm water and pat dry.
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Mask
If
you have dry and damaged hair, a mask made with raw honey and apple
cider vinegar will help restore your gorgeous locks.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup organic raw honey ( local is best)
- 10 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
Mix
the ingredients and apply to damp hair. Leave the solution on your
hair for about twenty minutes and rinse with warm water.
Apple Cider Vinegar Energy Drink
Ditch
those commercial energy drinks, they are loaded with sugar, dyes and
other additives that you don’t need. Instead, make your own workout
drink using apple cider vinegar.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 tablespoon raw organic honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ¼ teaspoon fresh grated gingerroot
Mix
the ingredients together until the honey dissolves. Drink immediately
for renewed energy.
Apple Cider Vinegar Relaxing Detox Bath
If
you have had a hard day at work what better way to relax than in a
detox bath. Simply add 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups
of Epsom
salt and
15 drops lavender
essential oil to
your bath water and enjoy the soak.
Weight Loss Booster
This
drink will help boost your metabolism. Combine drinking this with a
healthy diet loaded with whole foods and regular exercise.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- juice from ½ lemon
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
- 1 dash of red pepper
- ice
Mix
together and enjoy! This drink can be stored in a glass bottle in the
fridge for up to one week
Immune Booster
This
is an especially good drink to have around cold and flu season.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup green tea
- A squeeze of lemon juice
- A drop or 2 of raw honey
- 1 small slice of ginger
- A dash of Ceylon cinnamon
Instructions
- Steep the tea in water for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove tea and stir in the remaining ingredients. *The longer the ginger steeps the stronger it will be.
- Remove ginger slice before drinking.
How To Make Your Own Apple Cider Vinegar
Make
your own delicious and nutritious apple cider vinegar at home. Here’s
how.
Ingredients:
- Apple peelings or cores
- 1 tablespoon of sugar per one cup of water
- water
- Glass jar
Instructions
- Fill the glass jar ¾ full with the peels and cores
- Stir the sugar into the water until it dissolves
- Pour over the apple scraps until the are covered – leave a few inches at the top
- Cover the jar with a coffee filter and a rubber band
- Allow the jar to sit in a warm and dark place for two weeks
- Stir the vinegar at least 3 times a week
- Skim off any scum on the top
- Strain after two weeks
- Let the vinegar set for another 2-4 weeks until desired taste.
- Pour into a jar with a lid and keep in the cupboard.
Source: herbsandyou.com
