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Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda for Acne: How Effective are They?

– Baking Soda for Acne –

If you have acne, you know there are a million different products claiming to be the magical cure for your blackheads, whiteheads, and zits. But which ones really work? This article reviews apple cider vinegar and baking soda for treating acne.

Baking Soda for Acne

Acne can be a persistent skin condition that continually lets many people search for answers, luckily there are plenty of goods that really help.

You just need to know the condition of your skin, the condition of acne that you usually get, and what your acne seems to be causing. You can then find a solution that’s suited to your situation.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar (aka ACV) is derived from apples and made by a process of fermentation. It comes in a liquid form and when used topically, it’s commonly applied as a toner but can also act as a spot treatment.

Although there’s not enough scientific evidence to support most of the claims made about apple cider vinegar, in theory, its properties could potentially provide the following skin benefits:

  • Balances the skin’s pH: Because apple cider vinegar can help balance the pH of the outer skin layer, it keeps your skin functioning optimally—that is, doing things like producing the right amount of oil and dealing with acne-causing bacteria.
  • Exfoliates: “Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, which is similar to alpha hydroxy acid,” Green says. “Malic acid works well on acne-prone skin as it gently exfoliates to unclog the pores and eliminate bacteria.”
  • Fights blackheads: According to Green, apple cider vinegar, which has anti-bacterial assets, can also be mixed with baking soda and water to exfoliate and help diminish blackheads.
  • Improves hyperpigmentation: Green says the malic acid in apple cider vinegar may be helpful for clearing up any hyperpigmentation issues, like dark spots. “Malic acid is known for its ability to decrease the production of melanin,” she says. “Melanin is what gives the skin its pigmentation; therefore, malic acid is great at improving hyperpigmentation.”

Baking Soda

Anecdotal evidence claims that baking soda is effective for acne. However, there hasn’t been any research to evaluate whether baking soda works for acne or not.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved this popular home remedy for acne. The advocates of this popular home remedy believe that baking soda may help in minimizing your acne, depending on your skin type.

It is claimed that baking soda has a drying effect on the skin, and this property helps shrink the zit and reduce inflammation. It is also said to help in the following ways:

  • Baking soda has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe swelling and redness. It not only helps calm flare-ups, but also soothes rashes, irritation, and sunburn.
  • Baking soda is a physical exfoliant. It has fine particles that dislodge dirt and dead skin cells from your pores. It also causes relatively less irritation than most exfoliators while being more efficient.
  • Also it not only helps fight and prevent acne but also minimizes the appearance of acne scars and pigmentation.
  • It helps absorb the excess oil from your skin. This, in turn, dries out pimples and blemishes, helping them heal faster.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda For Acne

You Will Need

  • 1 tablespoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • also 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Method

Baking Soda for Acne

  1. Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water.
  2. Add baking soda to the ACV-water mixture.
  3. Apply the paste on the affected areas (like spot treatment). Leave it on for 10-15 minutes.
  4. Wash with cold water.
  5. Apply moisturizer.
  6. Do this twice a week.

Why This Works

Apple cider vinegar is said to help maintain the pH balance, keeping the baking soda from making your skin too alkaline. ACV also contains lactic acid that might help reduce acne.

Other Acne Treatments That Use Baking Soda for Acne

If facemasks aren’t for you, or if you’re looking for solutions specifically for acne scarring or spot treatments, there are still baking soda solutions:

Spot treatment

If you’ve got stubborn blackheads in one particular area, but don’t want to dry out your whole face, you can use baking soda for acne by making a concentrated spot treatment to lift the dead skin cells and sebum from your pores.

Baking Soda for Acne

Pour 2 teaspoons of baking soda into a small dish and add water slowly until it forms a thick paste. Apply to the spot you want to treat, and let sit for 20 minutes. Wash off gently and pat dry.

Scar treatment

There are some baking soda gurus who say that baking soda can help heal acne scars due to its exfoliating nature. The idea is that baking soda clears away dead skin cells, encouraging the creation of new, non-pigmented cells to take the scar tissue’s place.

There’s no research to confirm this, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it could be worth a shot. Combine one teaspoon of baking soda with 2 teaspoons of water, and use a Q-tip or cotton ball to apply the thin mixture to your scars.

Let sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse.

If you notice your acne scars getting darker, discontinue use.

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Other Home Remedies for Acne

Baking soda is just one of many home remedies people with acne can try. Many other natural treatments are safer and have fewer side effects.

Alternatives to baking soda for acne include:

  • tea tree oil
  • avoiding touching the face
  • following a diet that includes no refined sugar or starch
  • eliminating dairy from the diet

You can also read: Why Use Dove Soap for Acne: Is it Worth Using It?

FAQs

1. Is baking soda good for acne scars?

According to anecdotal evidence, it seems that baking soda might help reduce their appearance, but there is no scientific proof to back this up.

2. Can you leave baking soda on your face overnight?

Absolutely not! It will damage the skin.

3. Is it safe to use baking soda on the face every day?

Not really. If you do, it will damage the skin’s protective barrier.

Baking Soda for Acne

In addition to using apple cider vinegar and baking soda for acne treatment, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important.

It is also important to consult a dermatologist prior to using this natural remedy if you have any skin conditions that can be irritated by acidic topical products.

We hope this article has been helpful to you. Please share it with anyone who you think will appreciate the information!

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