{"id":228767,"date":"2025-10-16T10:13:11","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T10:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/228767\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T10:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T10:13:11","slug":"real-benefits-and-hidden-risks-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/228767\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Benefits and Hidden Risks Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Apple cider vinegar has been lauded as an all-around wellness superstar, with social media users touting its ability to treat a sunburn<\/a>, help improve acne<\/a>, and even assist in weight loss<\/a>. In light of these potential benefits, some people absolutely swear by taking apple cider vinegar baths.<\/p>\n

“I have been taking apple cider baths for a month now and I am loving it,” writes one TikTok user<\/a> in the caption to a video. “I soak for a good hour and my skin feels so soft after I get out.” It might seem counterintuitive to soak your body in this kitchen pantry staple (the smell), but experts say ACV may be an all-natural way to give your skin some extra TLC. <\/p>\n

Meet the experts: Navya Mysore, MD,<\/a> is a New York-based primary care physician at One Medical and Women’s Health Advisory Board member. Dendy Engelman, MD,<\/a> is a New York-based board certified dermatologic surgeon. Hannah Kopelman, MD,<\/a> is a New York-based dermatologist.<\/p>\n

Before you dive in, the research investigating the use of apple cider vinegar on the skin is limited, and the existing data suggests there are risks. So, if this is your first time hearing about these baths, you might be wondering what all the hype is about and how safe it really is. Here’s everything you need to know about the effects of using apple cider vinegar on the skin, including the potential benefits and the risks, as well as how to go about drawing your own bath. <\/p>\n

What are the benefits of bathing in apple cider vinegar?<\/p>\n

If you can stomach the smell and are confident that apple cider vinegar won’t irritate your skin (which it very well could\u2014more on that below) there are some potential benefits that bathing in it could provide your skin. They include: <\/p>\n

Relieving dry skin: Apple cider vinegar may help restore the proper pH of your skin, says Navya Mysore<\/a>, MD, a primary care physician at One Medical and Women’s Health Advisory Board member. And that’s because ACV contains acetic acid, which means its pH is low. Skin with slightly acidic pH tends to be healthier than skin that’s not, Dr. Mysore says. This means that if your skin’s pH is too high (which can be caused by anything from harsh soaps, to hot water, to over-exfoliation) your skin may struggle to retain moisture and you can experience issues such as dryness or flakiness, according The Cleveland Clinic.<\/a> There’s anecdotal evidence that soaking in an apple cider vinegar bath may help soothe that dryness, but keep in mind that the evidence to support this benefit is very limited.Fighting dandruff: Scrubbing your scalp with apple cider vinegar may be a smart move if you have dandruff (which is why there are many shampoos with apple cider vinegar<\/a>). Just like the rest of your skin, it can help balance your scalp’s pH and in turn retain moisture that can help minimize dandruff. Plus, research suggests that apple cider vinegar has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, which means it can help attacks the fungus that can cause dandruff, says Dr. Mysore. However, Hannah Kopelman<\/a>, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City, notes that dandruff is a sign of irritation on the scalp, so you’re probably best off trying a personalized dermatologist-recommended solution. Plus, there are very few studies on the effects of apple cider vinegar on dandruff. And the research<\/a> that does exist suggests that antibacterial properties of ACV exist in concentrations of 25%, which would be considered dangerously high for a bath. If dandruff is your primary concern, you may want to lean on dandruff shampoos<\/a> formulated with clinically-backed ingredients such as zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, sulfur, selenium sulfide, and ketoconazole instead.Exfoliation: Dendy Engelman<\/a>, MD, a board certified dermatologic surgeon, previously told Women’s Health that acetic acid, the primary acid in apple cider vinegar, is an alpha hydroxy acid, which means it can help exfoliate. Translation: You’ll have smoother skin, and possibly fewer razor bumps along your bikini line or anywhere else you shave. But keep in mind that other alpha hydroxy acids are far more studied and commonly used for skin exfoliation, namely glycolic acid and lactic acid. So if you’re looking to gently lift off dead skin cells, those ingredients, as well as some of the other most popular exfoliating acids<\/a> such as beta hydroxy acids, should be your go-to. But you can consider adding ACV to your routine if you can tolerate it.Nixing bad body odor: Dr. Engelman also says that soaking in apple cider vinegar can help neutralize odor thanks to its antiseptic and anti-fungal properties. That means an ACV bath may help also take the stink out of your sweaty pits by killing odor-causing bacteria. If you don’t feel like bathing in ACV (who could blame ya) consider mixing it with some water in a spray bottle and then spray the mixture onto your pits, according to The Cleveland Clinic.<\/a> But apple cider vinegar can possibly irritate your skin, so you may want to stick with a plain old stick of deodorant. <\/p>\n

Apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for a variety of skin issues. And if you know that it works for you, there’s no reason you should stop using it. But it’s important to keep in mind that definitive science to support its use for most skin conditions is severely lacking, and the bulk of the evidence to support its use is merely anecdotal. What’s more, there are clinically-backed alternatives you can rely on for the skin issues that apple cider vinegar can potentially help with. <\/p>\n

That said, if you know you want to give an ACV bath a try (after all, it does feel festive to use in the fall), please keep reading to learn about the potential downsides. <\/p>\n

What are the risks of bathing with apple cider vinegar?<\/p>\n

Adding a little apple cider vinegar to your bath water can be safe for people with healthy skin. But Dr. Kopelman, says it’s not the best idea, especially for folks with sensitive skin or inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema. Here are some of the risks to keep in mind: <\/p>\n

Irritation: One 2019 study<\/a> involving 22 participants (11 of which had a form of eczema called atopic dermatitis) found that soaking the subjects’ forearms in diluted apple cider vinegar for 10 minutes a day for two weeks led to irritation for a majority of the subjects. The participants also had increased water loss from their skin, suggesting the skin’s natural ability to retain moisture was impaired as a result of the exposure to ACV. Put some ACV on a small area of skin to see how your skin reacts before taking a whole bath with it.Chemical burns: Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid. This compound is the reason for ACV’s potential benefits for the skin, but it’s also why you don’t want to soak your skin in it for too long or use high concentrations of it. Why? Cause you run the risk of getting a chemical burn, Dr. Kopelman says. A 2015 case-study<\/a> in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that when a young girl applied apple cider vinegar to her face in an attempt to get rid of a mole, she experienced extreme skin redness, irritation and other symptoms of a chemical burn. Yikes. So if you’re taking an ACV bath and experience any side effects such as stinging or burning, get out the bath right away, and rinse off with cool water. That’s your skin telling you that it’s not agreeing with the ACV. Delayed wound-healing: No matter how little you plan to add to your bath water, you should avoid using apple cider vinegar altogether if you have any scrapes, burns, and broken, or cracked skin, Dr. Kopelman says. “It can be too irritating for the skin,” she adds. Putting apple cider vinegar on injured skin will not only sting…a lot… but the irritation it can potentially cause will slow down the body’s natural healing process, and will leave you stuck with compromised skin for even longer. <\/p>\n

So if you want to give an apple cider vinegar bath a try, feel free. But you do run the risk of irritating your skin, which means you might be better off taking a regular bath with good ol’ soap and water. Similarly, the potential benefits of using ACV aren’t supported by much research, which means there’s always the chance that it’ll simply…not work. And who wants to risk irritating their skin for an ingredient that might not be effective?<\/p>\n

But if you’re really set on soaking your skin in something you can find in your kitchen, you might want to consider oatmeal baths<\/a> instead\u2014there’s much more evidence to support it’s numerous benefits such as helping the skin retain moisture, soothing inflammation and itchiness, and supporting a healthy skin microbiome. Plus, unless you’re allergic to oatmeal, the risks are few. Sign me up! <\/p>\n

How do I take an apple cider vinegar bath?<\/p>\n

If you’re still intrigued by the idea of an ACV bath, remember this: The biggest rule is to not add too much of it to lessen the risk of irritation and chemical burns. <\/p>\n

Dr. Mysore suggests starting with adding just half cup to one cup to your bath water if it’s your first time. By starting off this way, you can see how your skin reacts to soaking in ACV, and if you don’t have any negative side effects, you can gradually add a little more the next time. It’s also best to use an unfiltered apple cider vinegar with no additives, Dr. Kopelman adds, since preservatives, color agents, and fragrances all raise the risk of causing skin irritation. <\/p>\n

You can also add Epsom salt<\/a> if you want the added benefit of soothing achy joints or sore muscles, she says. Soak for no more than 20 minutes, and if you want to rinse off afterward, just make sure not to use soap\u2014that’ll strip all the pH-balancing ACV benefits off your skin. You’ll also want to moisturize afterwards if you notice your skin feeling dry. <\/p>\n

Here’s to soft smooth skin this fall\u2014and all year round. <\/p>\n

Katie Mogg,<\/a> the beauty editorial assistant for Women’s Health, contributed reporting. <\/p>\n

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Kristin Canning is the features director at Women’s Health, where she assigns, edits and reports long-form features on emerging health research and technology, women’s health conditions, psychology, sexuality, mental health, reproductive justice, wellness entrepreneurs, women athletes, and the intersection of health, fitness, and culture for both the magazine and the website. She’s worked in health media for seven years, holding prior positions at Health, SELF, and Men’s Health. When she’s not writing and editing, you can find her running, hiking, biking, dancing, listening to podcasts, or planning her next outdoor adventure.<\/p>\n

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Sabrina Talbert is the beauty editorial assistant at Women\u2019s Health. With over five years of experience, her bylines have appeared in Byrdie, Nylon, Daily Front Row, and more. She\u2019s passionate about covering topics related to haircare, skincare, and the latest happenings at the intersection of beauty and sports. When she\u2019s not working, you can catch her training for her next race (NYC Marathon loading!) and binge-watching F1 or combat sports.<\/p>\n

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Brian Underwood is beauty director at Women\u2019s Health, where he oversees content strategy for the brand across all platforms, including digital, print, and social. Underwood previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily and O, The Oprah Magazine. During his tenure leading beauty content for the Oprah brand at Hearst, stories Underwood commissioned were awarded the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Award and a Fragrance Award for Editorial Excellence (his second). He was the launch Beauty Director of Dr. Oz THE GOOD LIFE, and has held additional editorial positions at Fitness, Organic Style, Good Housekeeping, Life & Style Weekly, and Woman\u2019s Day and has written for Self, Shape, Seventeen, Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and many more. Underwood previously served on the Skin Cancer Foundation\u2019s gala committee and as partnerships director of the Trans Beauty Clinic, a New York-based charitable organization that provided beauty services and workshops to the city\u2019s trans community.<\/p>\n