Benefits of Vinegar Baths

There are many types of baths that can be used for detoxification and relaxation, but none that benefit the skin with a single ingredient as much as vinegar baths.

I’m not a fan of the smell of vinegar, but I’m a huge fan of vinegar baths because they leave my skin and hair looking and feeling amazing.

Why Vinegar Baths?

Apple Cider Vinegar is a versatile natural remedy and natural home product. It can be infused with herbs to be a natural cold remedy and health tonic, or sipped to relieve heartburn.

Sprayed on skin, it takes the sting out of sunburn and as a foot soak it helps alleviate athlete’s foot.

It is also a beneficial natural beauty ingredient in several ways:

For Its Vitamin and Mineral Content

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a natural source of B-vitamins, Vitamin C and trace minerals, making it nourishing to skin. Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, it is possible to obtain these nutrients from soaking and to nourish the skin. It is naturally nourishing and moisturizing and can soften skin and hair.

Beneficial Acids

Vinegar is naturally acidic so it helps restore balance to the skin’s pH which should be slightly acidic (here’s why). Though it helps restore the skin’s pH it has an alkalizing effect internally and can also help aid digestion for this reason.

Also, many people with joint problems notice improvement from soaking in apple cider vinegar baths, and these beneficial acids and vitamins may be part of the reason.

Soothes Skin Problems

ACV can help naturally kill fungus and bacteria on the skin and offers relief for many with eczema and other skin conditions. Vinegar is often recommended for skin problems like eczema, dandruff and dry skin. These same antibacterial properties and beneficial acids make vinegar effective against zits. A tiny dab of ACV can often help reverse a zit overnight.

For this reason, AVC baths are also sometimes recommended for urinary tract infections as the vinegar can help kill the yeast or fungus and create an environment where it is difficult for infection to thrive. ACV is also a potential remedy for warts and athlete’s foot for this reason.

Reduce Body Odor

Body odor occurs when bacteria mixes with sweat or moisture from the body and thrives in the warm moist environment, especially in places like the underarms. Vinegar can help kill this bacteria, reducing odor. It also creates an environment where odor is less likely to thrive.

I haven’t personally tried it, but many people who can’t tolerate deodorants containing baking soda claim that using diluted apple cider vinegar works wonderfully as a deodorant. I would think that an armpit detox would also be helpful for those with body odor or skin irritation in the underarms.

How to Take a Vinegar Bath

Once or twice a week, I fill a tub with warm to hot water and add 1-2 cups of apple cider vinegar.

I soak for 20-30 minutes, using a washcloth to clean my face and making sure to get my hair wet as well.

After bathing, I rinse off in a cool shower, though some sources recommend letting the vinegar water dry on the skin.

Other Skin Uses for ACV

As I mentioned, a tiny dab of ACV can often remedy a zit overnight
I also use a diluted spray of apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon in 1 cup of water) as a soothing facial toner
This same spray can be used on the underarms for a natural deodorant, though some people find that they need to increase the concentration of vinegar for this use
Dab undiluted vinegar on toenail fungus or soak in a strong (50:50) solution of white or apple cider vinegar and water.
Dab ACV on warts
Rinse hair with 1/4 cup ACV in 1 cup water for shiny hair.

How do you use vinegar? Ever taken a vinegar bath?

There are many benefits to taking vinegar baths. Vinegar helps naturally balance the skins pH, softens skin and helps kill any yeast.

Sources

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

116 responses to “Benefits of Vinegar Baths”

Julie

April 21, 2016

Not long ago I tried ACV internally as well as externally – now all of a sudden I have been getting a rash each time I am subjected to UV rays. Anybody else run into this issue. Any theories of why this has suddenly started on my skin? I quit taking the ACV immediately but am wondering if (and this might be a long shot) possibly since I started releasing toxins through my skin if they are maybe “trapped” in my skin since I quit using the ACV? …just a thought. Suggestions or theories anyone?

Reply
1. Joe
  
  April 25, 2016
  
  One thing you could look into : You have a skin micrbiome, which means that you normally (we all do) have thousands of good, helpful bacteria on your skin. It’s called the Human Microbiome. These good, helpful bacteria keep us healthy. They are important. We have 100 trillion of these ‘friends’ in and on our bodies.
  
  Since vinegar has antibacterial properties, there is the chance that you may have unintentionally disrupted this ecosystem, and thus your problems.
  
  Please look into it, and let us know.
  
  Now, here’s another twist…………… would a mud bath restore the damaged ecosystem of bacteria on your skin ? (they practice mud baths in different areas of the world).
  
  Reply
Jess

February 12, 2016

I hate the smell of vinegar. Makes me gag everytime! I am wondering if I could add some EO’s and maybe a bit of coconut oil to the ACV bath water. Will that negate the benefits at all? If so, any other alternatives to hide the smell? Thank you!

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Stephanie

February 10, 2016

Would you recommend this to prevent group b strep? I’ve read your article on gbs, just curious if this could help as well. Thanks!

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Zoë

January 19, 2016

I use it to condition my hair – it makes it so shiny!

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Krickette

December 20, 2015

I used ACV to get rid of Ovarian cysts. I was going in for a hysterectomy and wanted to keep my ovaries. My doctor did a pelvic ultrasound and found that I had ovarian cysts. She told me the only way she would do the hysterectomy was if I allowed her to take the ovaries too, since they were ‘diseased’. Her thought was that they would have to go back later and remove them anyway. I went home and began looking for ways to get rid of the cysts and read about ACV on the Earth Clinic sight. I got myself a gallon of Braggs and started using it daily. I took 1 to 2 Tablespoons of it in the morning and repeated it in the afternoon for about a month. I went back to the doctor and she was amazed that they were gone. She asked me what I had done and when I told her she said she was going to tell other patients with ovarian cysts about it. Now I use it for all kinds of things. Face wash, mouthwash, to balance my ph levels, help with sunburn and poison ivy. We use it as a cleaning solution at home and in our laundry too. There are so many ways to use it that they cannot be listed.

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1. Tracy Pestana
  
  March 21, 2016
  
  The thought that ACV has removed ovarian cysts is ridiculous. ALL women routinely get ovarian cysts. The cysts re-absorb back into the bodies tissues on their own. Sometimes the ovarian cysts will rupture causing great pain and an emergency room visit. If you had discussed this with your doctor she would have explained further. Don’t assume.
  
  While ACV has tremendous benefits, it did not and does not get rid of ovarian cysts.
  
  Reply
  1. Donna
    
    August 11, 2016
    
    I have to agree with Krickette. My daughter suffered with terrible pain due to cysts on her ovaries. Since she has an eating disorder she was too slim for the doctors to remove it. She was in terrible pain. I had heard of others who had used ACV for the same reason, to remove cysts. We ventured on a diet of ACV twice a day and she removed all sugar from her diet. In one month, when she returned to the hospital, they could find no trace of the cysts and her pain had ceased. Sometimes she gets these pains back, but as soon as she gets back on the ACV it goes again.
    
    Reply
Kathryn

December 13, 2015

This post was very timely for me. I started coming down with the crud that’s been going around and have since taken two acv baths. I’ve added epsom salts, baking soda and lavender oil. Very soothing and helps with the aches that come on with this crap. It really helps!

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Melania

December 13, 2015

Hello,

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I was quite sure that vitamin C is not able to be absorbed through the skin. I remember reading about this a while back when cosmetic companies all started advertising when their products had vitamin C in them and I basically found that some types of vitamins are used to help shelf-life and were always in the products but only started to be advertised when people started to think there was some topical benefit to Vitamin C.

Reply
1. Kelli
  
  December 15, 2015
  
  Hi Melania,
  Vitamin C in cosmetic products can be tricky. There are approximately 8 different forms of Vitamin C used in cosmetics manufacturing. Ascorbic Acid is the best form as far as skin penetration. Any other form of Vitamin C must convert to ascorbic acid in order to have any benefit to skin. The benefits being: Increasing Collagen synthesis, protecting from UV damage and reducing skin pigmentation. That is why when buying a topical product, it is best to look for one containing actual Ascorbic Acid as opposed to other forms. The downside of Vitamin C and its derivatives is that pH in the product plays a very important role as to the stability of the Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid, for instance is stable at or under a pH of 3.5, which is quite acidic and is the reason a lot of people have skin irritation (redness and/or stinging) or sensitivities when using them. Some people cannot tolerate products with this form and do better with a form that may not be quite as effective but can be used more frequently without irritation. Water in the product also plays a big part in stability. Ascorbic Acid and many of the other forms are often found in serums where there is either no water, or in products that do not have water listed as the largest in ingredient in the formula. Most forms of Vitamin C are not stable in water and will begin to oxide as soon as they are mixed with water. Other ingredients within the formula can also cause oxidation to occur. There are forms of VC that are soluble in oil and not in water and you would find these in serums made without water. You could also look for products that contain ingredients that stabilize the VC, such as Ferulic Acid. Some of the best topical VC products will contain between 15-20% Vitamin C (more than that does not mean it’s better or more absorbable) and will be sold in airless pumps so the product inside does not have to be opened and come into contact with air. You should also look for products sold in dark colored packaging. Air and light can also increase the rate at which oxidization occurs.
  So the long answer above is, yes Vitamin C can have topical skin benefits but it’s a tricky ingredient to formulate with. I haven’t heard of it being used to increase the shelf life of a product. You may be thinking of Vitamin E, in which there is a type that is used in formulating to slow the progression of rancidity in oils. This is not a preservative in any way for the overall formulation, as water containing products must always have a broad spectrum preservative that is designed for that purpose alone in order for a product to be safe for topical use.
  
  Reply
Alyssa

December 12, 2015

Would an apple cider vinegar bath be useful to help treat yeast infections?

Reply
1. Kelli
  
  December 12, 2015
  
  I’ve seen this remedy on quite a few websites but have never used it personally. Most recommend 2 cups full of ACV in a shallow bath (what they call a hip bath) of warm water 2 times a day for 3 days and benefits can be seen after 2 or 3 baths.
  You should probably also take a very good probiotic. There are some that have to be kept refrigerated and are considered “critical care” probiotics with at least 50 billion CFU. They can generally be found at most Nutrition or Health Food stores in the refrigerated area. You should also completely avoid sugar at this time as sugar will only feed the candida and prolong the yeast infection.
  There are also great supplements you could ask about at the nutrition store, such as Oregano Oil capsules, Olive Leaf and a good garlic oil supplement with a high Allicin content.
  Hope that helps!
  
  Reply
  1. Alyssa
    
    December 13, 2015
    
    Thank you Kelli!
    I’m learning more and more about yeast and I definitely need to cut out my sugar intake and heal my gut. Your tips help so much- especially with what would be beneficial to take. This is my first yeast infection and I don’t want another one!
    
    Reply
JenP

December 12, 2015

Can I kill two birds with one stone and make it an ACV plus Epsom Salt bath?

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1. Kelli
  
  December 12, 2015
  
  Absolutely. I have done that many times. I love Epsom salt baths. They make you feel so relaxed and help you fall asleep easier. The ACV is an added skin benefit.
  
  Reply
Joseph W. Motacek

December 5, 2015

Please, for God’s sake learn about the Human Microbiome. The truth is, we have millions of good, helpful bacteria that live in and on our bodies. Why is this important ? It is because these good, helpful bacteria play a role in our health. Yes, it’s true, please do your research.

So, what happens when we take antibiotics ? We may kill some bad bacteria that are givings us some problems, but the important thing is ; we’re also killing off our good, helpful bacteria. This presents a problem. Most often these good bacteria are excluding or out-competing the bad bacteria. When we kill them off, this gives bad bacteria a chance to take over.

Take C. Diff. for instance. It is widely known that most cases of C. Diff. occur in a hospital setting, and after a course of antibiotics for some other problem. The other problem is gotten rid of, but now these patients have a serious diarrhea problem, that kills many people a year. The antibiotics disrupted the flora of the large intestine, and gave the C. Diff. bacteria a chance to proliferate. Not good.

Already, the average American has lost 40% of the diversity of their microbiomes, as compared to remote tribes that have never had antibiotics. An altered or disrupted microbiome has been linked to a long list of disease states. So, please listen………. be careful in taking antibiotics, there are consequences to your microbiome, and this microbiome plays a HUGE role in your health.

Thus said, the idea of using a vinegar bath is probably not a wise idea for our skin microbiome. Vinegar has the potential to kill many of our good bacteria, the ones that help us lead normal, healthy lives.

One last thing ; this Human Microbiome, the 100 trillion ‘freinds’ that live with us, has already been called one of the most important medical discoveries of this entire century. In the future, we will all be trying our best to maintain the health of our microbiomes.

Reply
1. Kelli
  
  December 6, 2015
  
  Our skin has a natural pH of between 4.5-6.5 and using Apple Cider Vinegar in a relatively small amount in a tub full of water is not going to damage skin. Water has a pH of around 7, which is considered neutral. Our skin prefers a slightly acidic environment. (i.e. topical products of any kind). I would consider tap water (as nasty as it is) more harmful to the skin than using a mildly acidic product.
  
  People aren’t filling their tubs with straight up vinegar and bathing in it……..at least I would hope not. Even though ACV is mildly acidic it should still be diluted before applying it to the skin.
  
  Comparing antibiotics to ACV is like comparing a frisbee to a basketball. There is no related relevance.
  
  Reply
  1. Joseph W. Motacek
    
    December 7, 2015
    
    Thanks Kelli for your thoughtful comments. Hopefully, we have studies, or will have studies, that confirm what you said. As I study the microbiome, I am struck by how we have ignored this vital component to our health. We need to re-evaluate our actions and what we take, and consider what consequences that they might have to our helpful bacteria. It’s a whole new way of thinking.
    
    Reply
    1. Kelli
      
      December 8, 2015
      
      You are absolutely right Joseph. Our gut health, or microbiome, is crucial to overall good health. It is said that, “all disease begins in the gut” and if we fill our bodies with junk like sugar and processed food we are feeding the bad bacteria and neglecting the good bacteria. There has to be a balance between the two and yes, you are absolutely right that antibiotics basically destroy natural gut flora. Even taking them only one time can be very detrimental but there are times when the choice between taking an antibiotic or not could mean life or death for some. Sadly though, they are often given too often when they are not really necessary. There really has to be more studies and also more natural alternatives need to be looked at.
      
      Reply
      1. Gena
        
        January 19, 2016
        
        Wouldn’t soaking in braggs acv encourage good bacteria as it is a probiotic? I wouldn’t think it would kill good bacteria on the skin since it had good bacteria that lives in it.
2. Jen Petrus
  
  January 19, 2016
  
  The skin microbiome is healthiest when slightly acidic; thus, diluted vinegar would be good for that. Soaps and other alkaline products strip away the skin’s natural emollients and leave it more vulnerable to invasion. Soap can be important for cleansing away bad stuff, but it’s important to take steps to then return the skin to a slightly acidic, moisturized state.
  
  Reply
Melissa

October 13, 2015

Is this safe for digesting during pregnancy? I’m also breastfeeding my toddler.. Is it safe when nursing? If so, what kind of ACV should i purchase. Cheers

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 18, 2015
  
  Apple Cider Vinegar is a food and is often used in many food products, so I’ve always felt safe using it in moderate amounts during pregnancy, but ask your doctor to be sure.
  
  Reply
Lori

October 7, 2015

I have kombucha vinegar, I left some go to long, I might try that, also as long as the acv is not pasteurized that’s what you want, many health food stores sell their own brands which are much cheaper than Braggs and just as good, don’t get tied up with thinking you have to have the name brand thinking store brands or generic aren’t just as good. I use the sprouts brand, and save like $3 a bottle.

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Krysten

October 5, 2015

I’m currently 8 months pregnant and I’ve been doing vinegar baths and drinking ACV each day. Do you recommend drinking ACV while nursing? I’ve found so much conflicting info on the internet regarding internal use while nursing. Some say that if used as a detox it may trigger the release of too many toxins that could end up in breast milk. My thought is that drinking one-two tablespoons of vinegar each day while nursing should be fine.

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Bessie Ingram

October 5, 2015

Is Vinegar good to make you lose weight.

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1. Ivonne Felix
  
  October 10, 2015
  
  I know people using ACV for weight lost. It really works. They mix 1 table spoon with 8 oz. of water before or after breakfast.
  
  Reply
2. Kelli
  
  October 11, 2015
  
  I do not think that ACV alone will help with weight loss. There are so many other factors involved in weight loss and there is no “magic pill” or single food or drink that will work wonders by themselves. Proper nutrition every day is the best way. That means avoiding sugar and sugar substitutes (with the exception of Pure Stevia and Raw Honey in moderation), and sodas and sweetened drinks, including store bought juice. Juice your own fruit and don’t add sugar. Avoid highly processed foods and stick to whole foods and clean grass fed meat.(if you’re not vegan). Portion control is also important.
  Some form of regular exercise or movement is also important but should not be excessive. (i.e. long bouts of cardio or endurance type activities). Exercising regularly should also not be an excuse to eat whatever, whenever. You cannot out-exercise poor nutrition habits. If someone asked me what they should focus on first I would always say good nutrition. Once someone starts seeing weight loss it’s very motivational to continue eating healthy and then adding some form of exercise that is doable and consistent for them. Everyone is different and some people don’t like exercise. Just going for a walk is great or sitting somewhere quiet and relaxing and doing deep breathing for five minutes can make a big difference.
  ACV is a great thing to add to a good nutrition plan and is a good thing to drink first thing in the morning. It has a lot of great benefits inside the body and you don’t need to add much to a glass of water.
  
  Reply
ellie

October 4, 2015

I did an ACV bath and developed a raw, awful yeast infection within 12 hours. I never get yeast infections, and as the doctor asked if i had been in any hot tubs or the like all I could think is the vinegar bath. Of course I just shook my head no since I never see an allopathic doctor normally since I am a holistic practitioner, but needless to say, I don’t think AVC baths are for me. Thoughts?

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1. Kim
  
  August 9, 2016
  
  Hello I stumbled onto this site and saw your post and wanted to comment. Awhile someone told me to soak in a vinegar bath 1-2 times a week bc I was getting alot of yeast infections due to the amount of medications that I’m on. I have to say I don’t get them anymore once I started this. I don’t know what happened in your case but wanted to tell you that that doesn’t always happen. Good luck 🙂
  
  Reply
Elizabeth

October 4, 2015

Granted this is a discussion on ACV baths, but I’d like to add a suggestion for ACV use. Gargling and swallowing with ACV heals strep throat very quickly (1 TBSP in 8 oz. water).

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apelila

October 4, 2015

Do you do anything to remove toxins from the water before you bathe?

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 4, 2015
  
  We have a whole-house filter now, but I’ve also used these methods: https://wellnessmama.com/13181/reduce-bath-water-chemicals/
  
  Reply
Cam

October 4, 2015

Haven’t tried it yet but just found it this week….
https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2015/02/how-to-make-apple-cider-vinegar.html

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Maggie

October 4, 2015

Hello 🙂
Can one soak a washcloth with the ACV and apply all over the body before a shower and get the same benefits from a ACV bath? Thank You.

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Sara

October 4, 2015

Hi. I have a question for you…. I’ve been using ACV as a conditioner for years and love it. My daughter tried it out and she gets blotchy red marks all over her face if the ACV gets on her face. She stopped using it, but any idea why it would irritate her skin like that???
Thanks!!

Reply
1. Wellness Mama
  
  October 4, 2015
  
  Could she have a sensitivity to apples? Have you tried other types of vinegar to see if she has the same reaction/
  
  Reply
  1. Sara
    
    October 5, 2015
    
    Actually she does have a sensitivity to apples, why didn’t I think of that!! Will have her try other vinegars, what would you suggest? White vinegar??
    Thanks?
    
    Reply