Beautiful Skin Tip: Apple Cider Vinegar

For gorgeous skin, head to the kitchen and grab some vinegar!

The use of vinegar with a variety of plants or essential oils for cosmetic purposes can be traced back to the Romans and was fashionable during the 19th century as vinegar de toilette.

Vinegar has a tonic action that promotes blood circulation in the small capillaries that irrigate the skin. It is also antiseptic, preventing the proliferation of bacteria, viruses, or yeast that trigger infection. It can dissolve excessive fatty deposits at the surface of the skin and reduce scaly or peeling conditions. Lastly, vinegar regulates the pH of the skin. Vinegar is most effective when used with lavender, rosemary, rose, or elder flower. It is essential to use top-quality white wine or cider vinegar. Dry any fresh plant material for two days before using.

Measure and mix only dried plant material and then add the vinegar. Apple ciders composed entirely of liquids can be used at once. Those containing plant material must be left to macerate. Prepare the latter in a screw-top jar and leave on a window sill as instructed, strain, and then bottle. To use, add 1 teaspoon of apple cider to a cup of bottled or spring water to wash your face or pour 3-4 tablespoons into a bath.

Lavender, Rosemary and Rosewood
Vinegar: 17 1/2 fl. oz. good-quality white wine or apple cider vinegar
Essential Oils: 3/5 teaspoon each lavender and rosemary, 2/5 teaspoon rosewood
Plus: 2 tablespoons glycerin

Calendula and Elder Flower
Plant material: 2 oz. calendula flowers and 3 oz. elder flowers
Vinegar: 2 pints good-quality white wine or apple cider vinegar
Macerate: 2 weeks

Lavender, Rose, Pink, and Lime
Plant material: 1 oz. each lavender and lime (or linden) flowers, rose petals, pinks
Vinegar: 2 pints good-quality white wine or apple cider vinegar
Macerate: 2 weeks

Read more: Beauty, Skin Care

Excerpted from Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin, by Pierre Jean Cousin. Copyright (c)2001. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
Excerpted from Anti-Wrinkle Treatments for Perfect Skin, by Pierre Jean Cousin.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

nora m b.

6:26AM PDT on May 11, 2012

Thank you so much for this tips about vinegar, they are really useful

send a green star

health t.

2:27AM PDT on Mar 27, 2012

you have great information here , thanks :)

here is a link to the page i made on the same subject let me know what you think

http://www.squidoo.com/apple-cider-vinegar-information

hope you enjoy

2:25AM PDT on Mar 27, 2012

Michele W.

9:03AM PST on Nov 21, 2011

Thank you

Jennifer C.

9:37PM PDT on Aug 1, 2011

Great article. Thanks for sharing.

Jessica M.

3:37PM PDT on Mar 14, 2011

I made my own bottle of "toner" a week ago, and acne that has been on my face and neck for over a year is almost gone! I just started drinking it today to see how it helps with my weight loss goals and we plan on using it on our dog to keep the fleas and ticks at bay. Can't wait to see the results!

Krista B.

12:58PM PST on Jan 28, 2011

The last recipe calls for "pinks"...I am confused...what are they?

Jennifer M.

1:14PM PST on Jan 26, 2011

Awesome! Thank you (:

Julie W.

11:36PM PST on Jan 25, 2011

Sounds easy and cheap!

Mervi R.

11:34PM PST on Jan 25, 2011

Great, thanks for the useful info!