Apple cider vinegar is often used in the kitchen to add acidity to dressings and stews, bringing the perfect touch of flavor and zing. Along with being a useful ingredient, ACV has a plethora of health benefits, from aiding weight loss to lowering cholesterol. Using apple cider vinegar in an apple cider vinegar bath is one of the best ways to capitalize on its many health benefits.
Home Remedy for Dryness and Irritation
ACV's antimicrobial properties have been shown to improve skin infections and irritations, and its acetic acid can restore your skin's natural pH balance, allowing the skin to retain more moisture and curing a number of skin conditions.
Because of these properties, apple cider vinegar is regarded as a home remedy for many dermatology and skincare conditions that are connected to skin pH levels, and can be just the thing for dryness, rashes and irritation. Healthy skin has a naturally acidic barrier that keeps skin moisturized and protects against irritants.
If this skin barrier is damaged or the acidity levels are too low, it can lead to atopic dermatitis, eczema or dry skin. An apple cider vinegar bath restores the natural acidity of the skin, preventing or curing any dryness or irritation. However, ACV shouldn't be used for sunburn, since it might cause more irritation to this type of damaged skin.
ACV Kills Bacteria and Fungus
Along with keeping skin moisturized, ACV's acidity levels allow it to naturally kill bacteria on your body. Because of this, it's often used for yeast infections and bacterial vaginitis, which are caused by bad bacteria, such as Candida and Staphylococcus aureus.
Similarly, an ACV bath can effectively kill the bacteria that cause body odor, making it a great natural alternative to deodorants. Although this won't work permanently, an apple cider vinegar bath is an effective short-term solution to body odor.
An ACV bath can also help with athlete's foot, pimples, dandruff and warts. All of these skin problems are caused by bacteria and fungus, making an acidic bacteria-killing substance the perfect home remedy. Because of apple cider vinegar's anti fungal properties, it's ideal for relieving symptoms related to these skin problems.
How to Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Bath
Just like using essential oils or Epsom salt in your bath, apple cider vinegar baths provide a way for your body to soak up the benefits from ACV in a gentle, healthy way. Don't use more ACV than recommended or soak for a long time, since too much acidity on your skin can cause more irritation than relief.
Start by filling the tub with warm water. The bath water shouldn't be too hot, as this can counteract some of the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Add in 2 cups of apple cider vinegar, and stir the water until fully combined.
Soak in the apple cider vinegar bath for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, take a shower and rinse off the ACV. Enjoy the benefits of your apple cider vinegar bath!
