There has been a lot of hype about Apple cider vinegar to treat eczema throughout many weblogs by other eczema sufferers. One person has recommended it on his YouTube channel with a belief that there will be a cure one day with a great “I’m not giving up” attitude ,which caught my attention. Some may drink it and others just simply dab the apple cider vinegar on affected area(s) or do both methods. At first I was a bit skeptical because of all the my previous struggles of trying new things often doesn’t work for me or sometimes make my skin worse. While browsing on YouTube out of boredom, I came across a women who used it as part of mix of a homemade facial toner to treat her acne prone skin. She claim her skin became acne-free and the skin texture has gotten better ever since she used it.
The recipe for the Facial Toner only require 2 ingredients:
- organic apple cider vinegar (because non-organic ones do not contain “mother” which is an enzyme that provides more benefit for the skin)
- distilled water
Ideally you can mix this on a 1:1 ratio, so if you put a cup of organic apple cider vinegar, you would put a cup of distilled water evenly. 1:1 ratio can still be strong so I suggest starting at a 1:2 ratio (1 part apple vinegar + 2 parts of distilled water). I mixed it in a tiny spray bottle that I bought from the dollar store, since I find it’s easy to evenly distribute the mix onto your skin. Simply shake it all together before using it. If it’s still too strong for your skin, feel free to dilute it more with water. First try it on a smaller proportion of your skin to see its effect after a few hours.
You can also use it after you cleanse your face with a facial cleanser especially for you ladies who want more of a deep clean. It will give that fresh feeling when cleaning off that makeup. After using it a few times, I was really surprise by its effectiveness, so I’ve been using it every time I itch. You can apply it on any itchy areas such as hands, arms, legs, or ankles. It’s one of the only things that provides great itch relief for me when I flare-up… which is really good & rare compared to many other methods I’ve tried.
Just a little warning: It will sting a little if you apply it on fresh wounds (where you recently scratch) . I usually can pat in the same area after 7-10 seconds and the stinging disappears. The diluting of the distilled water into vinegar helps with the stinging. It may turn a little bright red at first but it will calm down after a while. Regardless of the smell and minor stinging, it help stopped the itching for me. I find it helps brings down the intensity of the itch that we often dream of ending, the endless unpleasant uncomfortable feeling where we want to rip our skin off and avoid the embarrassment of scratching in public.
How to use Apple Cider Vinegar Mix as a Toner for Eczema
For those of you who are unaware on how to use a toner, you would spray or damp the cotton pad (or cotton ball) and gently pat on your face.
They are several benefits of this toner(source):
- Helps restore the pH level of your skin, and any moisturizers you apply with it will sink into your skin better. You would usually wait until all of it dries off, then its the right time to apply your moisturizer for a great moisture boost. Diluting the apple cider vinegar with distilled water helps achieve that. If the pH is not balanced, you’re skin will either appear too oily, too dry and you become more itchy & irritated.
- Wherever you apply, the antioxidant from the apple cider vinegar will improve blood flow & clear out toxins in that area – which can leave a bit of a rosy appearance
- Smoothes out & improves overall skin tone
- Improves acne & acne scars
- Dissolves dead skin cells
Overall, it provided great relief to my skin so I would have to agree that it work based on my experience. I usually use it when I’m feeling real itchy, but it can be used daily because it is safe for the skin. If used daily on the face then I suggest sticking with 1:2 ratio at the most. Anything higher is usually more ideal for people with oily skin so it may make your skin feel dry. Remember if you are going to try it, start slowly with small dabs/portions on your skin and with a higher water to vinegar ratio to see the effects. Please use at your own discretion.
Update(09/11/2014): Also if you find this toner still too stingy for you skin, then try my alternative Toner that uses Neem Oil. It is much lighter and it has been my go-to Toner for Eczema.
Here is my short video on making the toner but this time mixing the Cider with Witch Hazel.
