Natural products are becoming more and more popular as health-conscious people are realizing the negative effects of chemical pollutants in every area of life. From air pollution to water pollution to the use of pesticides and chemicals in the most dangerous and unlikely of places, the hazards can be difficult to avoid. Some people are using vinegar for a variety of uses to replace many other chemical products. One of these uses is as a general cleaning product. It has been used for many years to clean windows as effectively as the chemical window cleaners. It can be used to clean countertops and is a wonderful non-toxic disinfectant bathroom cleaner. A newly discovered use for vinegar is as a skin care product. Vinegar can be used in skin care as a toner, an astringent, and a natural acne treatment.
Vinegar is a weak acid. The word acid concerns a lot of people, but they’re actually used in skin care products all of the time. For example, if you look at most of the acne treatment methods on the shelf, you’ll see Salicylic acid listed. The strongest acids acne treatment products use help to slough off dead skin cells. When you use a very weak acid, like vinegar, you can help to ensure no bacteria can grow on your skin.
Surprisingly, vinegar can also decrease skin inflammation. It has been used for many years as a home remedy for sunburns. When used in the treatment of acne, if can reduce the redness and inflammation that usually accompany an acne breakout. Some people find the smell of white vinegar intolerable, in which case apple cider vinegar can be used instead.
Because vinegar is an acid, some people may have a localized reaction to it. Before using vinegar on your face, you should perform a patch test to make sure that your skin can tolerate it. Apply a few drops of vinegar to the skin on the inside of your elbow and rub it in. Allow it to dry and do not rinse it off. Watch the spot for about six hours to twelve hours or leave on overnight. If you have any type of reaction such as redness, burning, or itching, do not use vinegar on your face. Please note that undiluted vinegar is only used for the patch test. For skin care purposes, vinegar should be diluted with water.
To use vinegar as a toner, boil a quart of purified water. Add a tablespoon of vinegar. Store the mixture in a clean jar in the refrigerator. Vinegar toner can be used once or twice a day. Apply mixture with a cotton ball and leave on for no longer than five or ten minutes. Be sure to rinse it off. Keep the mixture away from eyes.
Like most natural acne treatment methods, vinegar isn’t the ideal solution for everyone. You may notice irritated skin. You could also notice some burning or itching, and if you do, be sure that you stop using it immediately.
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