Raw Apple Cider Vinegar: An All Natural Ingredient for Healthy Skin

Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) has a rich history of helping to remedy ailments from sore throats and colds to healing wounds and supporting the gut microbiome. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates, known as the “father of medicine”, even cited and recommended apple cider vinegar as an overall health tonic to his patients. Although well known and often used as an internal remedy, ACV also delivers beneficial actions to the skin. That’s why you will find ACV as an active ingredient in our ever-popular, blemish-fighting Clarify Toner and skin-soothingAnti-itch Remedy.

You might be wondering what raw apple cider vinegar is exactly. ACV is the result of a double fermentation process that begins with combining apples with yeast, sugar and water. After 3-4 weeks, this apple concoction becomes a juice and begins to undergo a fermentation process thanks to the work of the added yeast and natural bacteria. During this process, the carbohydrates from the juice transform into alcohol and then through a second fermentation process, the alcohol transforms into acetic acid and a host of other beneficial acids, enzymes and vitamins. Raw apple cider vinegar is the healthiest, most skin-enhancing type of apple cider vinegar because it is not pasteurized; hence, the natural bacterias and yeast remain intact, providing a plethora of beneficial actions. 

Some people find ACV undesirable to use for skincare due to its unique, fragrant smell; however, this sharp vinegar scent is exactly what makes it so beneficial for your skin! ACV is high in phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, Vitamins B and C, amino acids, probiotics, acetic, citric and malic acids. These vitamins and minerals help to support the skin from harmful free radicals that many of us come into contact with daily via smoke, grime and air pollution. Acetic acid is the compound that gives ACV its unique taste and odor and is extremely beneficial because it delivers antimicrobial, antibacterial and antifungal properties to the skin, making ACV the perfect all-natural ally to ward off blemishes and heal acne. 

• Gently exfoliates & cleanses the skin
• Removes dead skin cells
• Balances skin texture
• Unclogs the pores
• Reduces excess sebum (oil)
• Restores healthy skin pH
• Soothes irritation & inflammation
• Eradicates blemishes and/or acne 
• Heals through its antiseptic action

While studying at the California College of Ayurveda, we were taught how to make herbal, Ayurvedic facial toners using the healing benefits and naturally preserving actions of ACV.  When formulating our skincare line we were hesitant to include ACV in all of our Facial Toners due to the strong scent, yet when it came to developing our Clarify Toner, we knew that it was a must due to its effectiveness in targeting blemish and/or acne-prone skin. To our surprise, while formulating, we found that when paired alongside herbs like calendula, rose, neem, tea tree and frankincense, the distinct aroma of ACV dissipates while its powerful actions remain! We love how the acetic acid contained within ACV supplies the skin with the support it needs to eradicate harmful bacteria that can accumulate in the skin’s pores and lead to acne and blemishes. Also, the oil-absorbing action of ACV makes it an all-star in regulating and restoring healthy levels of sebum, or the skin’s natural and protective oils. Finally, the cleansing action that ACV emits helps to even out skin tone, exfoliate and slough off dead skin cells. Needless to say, ACV is a welcome all-natural ingredient in our Clarify Toner and we are thrilled to be sharing this tried and true remedy with you. 

The relentless itch and discomfort from bug bites, poison ivy, sumac and our local skin-irritating plant, poison oak, are what inspired us to concoct our Anti-itch Remedy. This offering is chock full of skin healing and soothing ingredients like rose, comfrey, chamomile, lavender, peppermint, Himalayan salt, aloe vera juice and of course, ACV! The inclusion of ACV helps to keep the surface of the skin free from harmful bacteria, fungus and/or microbes that can lie dormant on the skin and lead to inflammation and even infection. ACV also acts as a natural preservative while helping to soothe irritation and expedite wound healing, making it the perfect antidote for bug bites and flare-ups associated with all of our rash-inducing plants. 

Sourcing pure ingredients from the earth and creating formulations based on ancient healing traditions are an essential part of PAAVANI Ayurveda. Each time we work with the healing energetics of raw apple cider vinegar, we are reminded of its rich history and the modern applications of this versatile and valuable ingredient. It will forever continue to be one of our favorite remedies for addressing stubborn blemish-prone skin as well as repairing adverse skin reactions. If you have not already, we hope that you give ACV’s beneficial actions a try, whether it's through supporting your microbiome, balancing your body’s pH and/or healing and revealing glowing, radiant skin.

***Please note that the live cultures present within ACV will continue to grow over time. You may notice this as stringy mucous at the bottom of your Clarify Toner or Anti-Itch Remedy. The presence of these cultures only means that the beneficial bacteria in your product(s) have increased, making your product even more potent in its actions.

Apple photo by Zen Chung from Pexels