If you’re new to using apple cider vinegar for natural hair, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth it and if it will benefit your curls.
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After all, apple cider vinegar is a pricey vinegar, and it is one more thing that you’d have to add on to your wash day routine.
But many experts praise apple cider vinegar for its ability to beautify the hair and skin. So, should you buy it?
In this article, you’ll find out information about apple cider vinegar. By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll know if you want to add this common kitchen ingredient to your natural hair regimen.
What is Apple Cider Vinegar?
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a unique by-product made from the juice of fermented apples. It is sour in taste, just like all vinegar, but it is milder and more natural than white distilled vinegar.
It also smells like vinegar, but don’t worry about the sour aroma sticking around. You won’t smell like vinegar after rinsing it away.
Apple cider vinegar is proven to improve the health when taken internally, and many women apply ACV topically in DIY remedies to improve the hair, skin, and nails.
How does Apple Cider Vinegar Benefit Natural Hair?
If you’re looking for a magical beauty liquid, ACV comes close. Here are some of the hair benefits of this scientifically proven home remedy:
- Balances pH of the Scalp & Hair. Many hair products are not pH balanced and can throw off your scalp’s pH. Using ACV is a good way to bring your pH back to normal at the end of your shower. ACV has a pH range of 3.1 to 5, while the scalp has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. This makes it a highly effective way to balance your scalp’s pH.
- Has Antibacterial & Antifungal Properties. ACV is great for fighting microbes lurking on the scalp. Many microbes thrive in neutral environments, but using some apple cider vinegar will help to restore your scalp’s ability to fight conditions like scalp fungus and dandruff.
- Adds shine. While more alkaline ingredients open the cuticle, apple cider vinegar’s acetic acid content helps to close the cuticle. When the cuticle closes, your hair strands can reflect light better and look shinier.
- Combats Scalp Acne, Shedding, and Itchiness. Have an itchy scalp? Regular use of apple cider vinegar can help. Its raw enzymes and good bacteria can easily fight any predators that could be causing itchiness and shedding. Be sure to follow the instructions below and dilute before you use it.
- Makes Hair More Manageable. ACV closes the cuticle and makes your hair strands smoother. They’ll be less likely to latch on to other strands or snag them and cause friction. This smoothening of the hair leads to fewer tangles and breakage.
- Contains Good Hair Nutrients. Apple cider vinegar contains vitamins B and C and potassium, all of which are great for hair.
- Reverses the Effects of Hard Water. Does your city have hard water or is it very chlorinated? Hard water can damage your hair strands and cause breakage because it places a hard mineral layer over the strand, causing it to become brittle. Chlorine can also damage hair. Using apple cider vinegar will help to soften the hair and return it to its original state of health.
Best Apple Cider Vinegar to Use for Curly Hair
The best apple cider vinegar to use for curly and kinky hair is raw apple cider vinegar that contains ‘the mother’.
Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar is an excellent brand and it’s easy to find. There are several other great organic makers of ACV that are just as good as Braggs, so don’t be afraid to experiment with smaller organic brands.
‘The mother’ term sounds weird, but it’s actually the most powerful component in your ACV bottle. The mother contains proteins, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria that help your scalp and hair.
You’ll want to avoid conventional supermarket or dollar store imitations of ACV. Imitation apple cider vinegar is just white distilled vinegar with food coloring added.
Always make sure your bottle contains the mother. It will either be written on the bottle, or you’ll know by examining the vinegar inside. Does it have murky brown stuff floating at the bottom? That’s the good stuff.
How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Natural Hair
Rinsing with apple cider vinegar can be very helpful for softening and conditioning hair. It can help to treat itchy and irritated scalp and it can smoothen the cuticle, making your hair shinier.
The best way to use apple cider vinegar is by rinsing the hair with it at the end of wash time.
Apple cider vinegar is a milder vinegar, but it is still a strong acid for the skin. You need to dilute the vinegar with water, otherwise, you’ll just bring pain and irritation to your scalp.
Dilute your vinegar rinse with two parts water. In other words, if you’re using a small plastic water bottle, fill it with 2/3 water and 1/3 apple cider vinegar.
Here’s a recipe to follow:
Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse for Natural Hair
Ingredients
- 8 oz water
- 4 oz raw apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Pour water into an applicator bottle or an empty plastic water bottle.
- Pour in the apple cider vinegar.
- Shake vigorously to mix.
- Shampoo and condition your hair, as usual.
- Rinse the conditioner from your hair.
- Squeeze the excess water from your hair.
- Pour the apple cider vinegar rinse over your scalp and hair.
- Massage the ACV into your scalp and hair and allow it to sit for 1-2 minutes.
- Rinse with cool water.
Organic ACV will be a bit pricey, but a little bit of this goodness will go a long way. Plus, you could end up saving money in the long run if your hair becomes more manageable.
Using apple cider vinegar could quickly become one of your absolute favorites.
Time to discuss! Have you tried apple cider vinegar for natural hair?