Vinegar (as a topical)

I tried leaving it on (diluted about 50/50 with distilled water) after washing my face up until the next face-washing, but it began breaking me out very badly around my beard-area, which was VERY disconcerting because I'm a girl and I don't have a beard! But it started to look like I had an acne beard!! How embarrassing! So I stopped using it on my face and the pimples started to go away, although my face has issues with shedding dead skin cells so I'm now only keeping it on for about 20 minutes then washing it off, which is working very well. Plus I drink about 2 tbs of it a day, first thing in the morning, which is doing wonders in and of itself. I suggest for first time users who have sensitive skin to leave it on for only 20 minutes then wash it off, and maybe to build it up from there. It would be a shame for someone to experience more acne like I did and to write it off as not working.

I use it as an astringent twice daily...and I haven't had any problems. Granted, it's not a cure-all, but it hasn't made my skin any worse.

I'm a 43 year old woman with moderate acne - white heads, black heads and cystic pimples. I use to control them with proactiv. It worked really well for 8 years then I've decided to go natural for health reasons. As soon as I weaned off Proctiv my skin went crazy! After numerous Internet research I came across ACV (Bragg brand) toner. So I used 50/50 mix with filtered water, religiously morning and night (do not wash off. Leave them on as a toner). As I have an olive skin the strong mix didn't irritate my skin at all. 1st week, It improved the texture of my skin with less oil. I've noticed existing pimples were dying but I would get new pimples in different areas I guess My skin was purging. by end of 2nd week all the acne died off leaving marks. 3rd week scars started to fade.. I would get tiny pimple but it would go away within hours. I'm on my 4th week, I feel so confident with my skin now. I stop worrying about new acne forming every morning. Also ACV toner does get rid off those stubborn black heads. The smell does linger a little. I also drink ACV once a day. 1 tablespoon with a cup of water. Be patient and give it a go.

I can't say enough about apple cider vinegar. I live in China, so the good stuff with the mother in it isn't available. I was desperate so I bought the Heinz distilled, pasteurized, and essentially useless (according to most sources) kind at an inflated price because it's imported and that's all they had. I use it as a toner without diluting it all over my face once a day after washing. To my amazement, it actually worked, and is even working on getting rid of a deep pimple that never rose to the surface! I was skeptical because before I found the acv I was using plain old white vinegar (which is even more caustic) and that wasn't helping at all. What is it about the apple cider, I keep asking myself. It's also nearly impossible to find deodorant here in China for some reason, and my boyfriend was complaining of his odor. I suggested he try the acv with a cotton ball on his arm pits, and although he never tries my home remedy suggestions, this time he went for it out of desperation. I expected him to hate it, but he uses it everyday now and says there's no more odor at all (just the acv smell, of course, but for us it's not that bad as long as it's getting rid of the initial problem). We were speculating that by changing the pH balance of your skin, the acv prevents bacteria from growing, which includes the odor causing bacteria that make your armpits smell. It still confuses me as to why the white vinegar wouldn't work just as well, but as long as this keeps on working (and the store keeps importing it), I have nothing but rave reviews for acv.

This is the best toner you can use. I use apple cider vinegar. I dilute half of it with water and use a pad or cotton ball and apply it after I wash my face. I use to use it consistently for two years my skin was amazing, then I switched to lemon juice because of the smell and I was going out alot with guys, but my acne came back more when I stopped using acv toner. I'm using it again and I see a huge difference in my skin.

I would rather havve the smell daily then have the acne. SO i use it right after putting it on you can see it working and your skin feels clean may get a bit fry but use a non-comedogenic moisturizer and it helps but i also love the healthy glow it gives off after use [: TRY IT!!!

my dad recommended me to put vinegar on my face years ago when i was younger and i thought he was crazy, but i tried it and i love it. i apply the vinegar to my face once in the morning and night. i use braggs apple cider vinegar because it is organic and probably the best. i recommend this to anyone with acne instead of other over the counter or store bought products. think of it this way: do you think that the companies that make products to get rid of acne actually want to clear your acne? probably not, because if your skin clears up, those companies lose money

2-3 weeks ago I started using Apple Cider Vinegar with the 'mother' for acne treatment (I've been using Bragg's, easily found in the natural food section of my local Kroger for about $6). I was not convinced that this would work, as I've attempted to use vinegar for dandruff in the past and did not get good results. Also, I didn't want to smell like vinegar. I eventually decided to give it a try due to the low cost and science behind it (soap/cleanser makes your skin more alkaline, and vinegar helps to restore it to its natural acidic PH). Let me tell you, I'm truly glad I gave this a try and have been sticking with it. I am 28 and have suffered with acne of various severity since I was 11. The only thing that has given me skin this clear in the past was Yaz birth control used in conjunction with Proactiv. I went off Yaz about 4 years ago because my insurance did not cover it (also, it seemed be be becoming less effective). Proactiv stopped doing much for my acne around the same time, but whenever I would try to stop it my face would become even worse. I also read about the damaging effects of benzoyl peroxide, in that it can make your skin less able to naturally heal itself. I have suffered from cystic acne, white heads, black heads, backne, and when one would get better the others would seem to get worse. 2-3 weeks ago I began applying a solution of 1/2 filtered or distilled water mixed with 1/2 Bragg's ACV. I apply it 1-2 times a day, especially making sure to do so after washing my face with unscented Dove Soap... sometimes I apply it before I shower, but I always make sure to do so after cleansing so as to restore the acidity to my skin. I will sometimes use a witch hazel based toner (with lavender, rose water, or Burt's Bees Garden Tomato Toner) after applying the ACV to assist with the healing of developed acne and mask the ACV smell if I'm going out (I have already gotten used to the smell, but sometimes you don't wanna smell like a salad, and the witch hazel really masks it while also being beneficial for existing blemishes). Additionally, I have been successfully tapering off the Proactiv, having used the repairing treatment cream only a handful of times, mixing it with my moisturizer or as a spot treatment. I do not use the Proactiv toner, and have used the cleanser only twice since starting ACV. I have found the ACV does a decent job of exfoliating without being too harsh. You will likely find that it is drying at first, and you should always follow the toner with a facial moisturizer. I currently use Alba aloe and green tea moisturizer and though I used to feel that it sometimes clogged my pores, since using ACV it hasn't seemed to cause any new blemishes. Be warned, however, that I did experience a period of about a week where my acne did not appear to be getting better. In my case it didn't necessarily appear to be getting any worse (as my acne has always fluctuated on a near daily basis), but I was experiencing more white heads and under the skin blemishes that I think was part of the healing process. STICK WITH IT! The first week, the smell will annoy you and you might not be seeing results, but if you're looking for more balanced, healthy skin, and if you've tried so many products that you're afraid your skin may never be clear(ish), I highly recommend giving this a try for a few weeks. I'm pretty sure my skin was so damaged and confused from all the products over the years that even out of puberty it could not heal itself. If you feel the same way, you've got nothing to lose. Also, when it comes to the smell, you can purchase rose water to mix with the ACV instead of regular water. I have been using my witch hazel toners because I had them on hand, but I will likely try a rose water or a rose water/glycerin mixture in the future (glycerin = better moisturizing in the upcoming winter months). I never write reviews, let alone with such detail so I've been extremely impressed!

i've used it just few times after desperate finding glycolic acid in indonesia pharmacy store.. I used it only at night, apply it on clean face and let it stay for 2 mins then rinse it off with ice.. it minimize the pores and fix the skin texture.. i got a acne-free skin, minimized pore and brighter skin.. it works so well, better than i thought.. and it saves lots lots lots of money with better result.. very well-recommended...

Love it! After having severe cystic acne on my back and shoulders for over 3yrs I'm almost completely clear! It turns out that it was shampoo and conditioner that was the biggest cause (probably the sulfates and coconut in the products) Now I use baking soda to wash my hair every day and diluted apple cider vinegar as a rinse about 2-3 times a week. I saw results after about 2 weeks of using this. Apple cider vinegar works by making your skin too acidic for bacteria to live on. This helps stop body odor, acne and can prevent dandruff! On the days I use the rinse I use it @ night so I don't have to worry about going to work with my wet hair smelling like vinegar but if I notice a breakout I'll rinse my body with it more often and once I've toweled off there's no smell. Give it a shot and try it for about 2 or 3 weeks at least to see if it will help stop your acne!