We all know that apple-cider vinegar can taste great as part of a healthy salad dressing, but did you know that it’s a great ingredient to incorporate into your beauty routine as well? It has a long history dating back to about 400 BC, when it was used in medical practice, but it only really became popular in the modern world about a decade ago.
It has antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, making it a natural way to treat a host of skin and beauty concerns.
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Here’s what it can be used for:
Your face
Mix one tablespoon of apple-cider vinegar with two tablespoons of water to make a clarifying toner. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids, which will both tighten pores and stimulate blood flow to give you glowing skin.
Related: 8 home-made hair treatments for every hair type
Your hair
Mix two tablespoons of apple-cider vinegar in one cup of water and douse your hair in the mixture after washing it. This helps to get rid of any buildup, leaving your hair shinier. And don’t worry – the smell doesn’t last!
Razor rash
If you have any red, irritable bumps on your legs after shaving, dab a cotton-wool ball into some undiluted apple-cider vinegar and rub gently over the affected areas. The anti-inflammatory properties will get to work chop chop.
Sunburn
If you have spent too much time in the sun, mix half a cup of apple-cider vinegar with four cups of water. Dip a facecloth into the solution and apply it to the sunburn. It not only provides instant relief but also restores pH levels and prevents blistering.
Related: 5 reasons you need apple-cider vinegar
Insect bites
If you’ve been bitten by a mozzie and the itch is driving you crazy, put some undiluted apple-cider vinegar on a cotton-wool ball and hold it against the bite. This will instantly neutralise the itch and can even speed up the healing process.
Smelly feet
In a plastic basin, mix together one cup of apple-cider vinegar and four cups of water. Soak your feet in the solution for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry them. The antiseptic properties will help to deodorise and disinfect your feet, leaving them smelling fresh.
PHOTO: iStock/YelenaYemchuk
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