Vinegar, commonly known as the versatile kitchen ingredient, possesses a plethora of health benefits that goes beyond the realms of just cooking. The ancient remedy has the potential to offer excellent hair and skin benefits as well.

The acetic acid in vinegar soothes and exfoliates the skin, while its acidic properties balance the scalp’s pH level.

1. Provides shine to hair

Vinegar helps maintain hair health by gently eliminating product build-up and hard water minerals. Its acidic properties help balance the pH levels of your hair, allowing the cuticle to lay flat, resulting in shiny, healthy hair.

Dilute apple cider or white vinegar with water in equal proportions, depending on your hair length and texture. Use this mixture as a final rinse after shampooing the hair. Rinse your hair with cold water to seal the cuticle.

2. Treats dandruff and itchy scalp

Dandruff and an itchy scalp can be a cause of concern for many people. However, using vinegar can help provide relief. Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties that help kill the fungus that causes dandruff.

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and apply this on your scalp. Leave it on for around 10-15 minutes and wash it off with a sulfate-free shampoo and lukewarm water.

3. Minimizes pores and acne

Vinegar acts as a natural astringent, which helps to shrink the pores. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) that can exfoliate and even out the skin tone. The acetic acid in vinegar helps to maintain the pH balance of the skin.

This helps to control the overgrowth of bacteria that can lead to acne. Dilute apple cider vinegar with some water and use a cotton ball to apply to the face. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse with cold water.

4. Helps in skin lightening

Vinegar can help in removing the dark spots and pigmentation issues due to its natural bleaching properties. Furthermore, it has acetic acid, which helps balance the skin’s pH level and promotes cell turnover, resulting in even skin tone.

Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and apply it to your face or the affected area with a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off with cool water.

5. Balances pH levels of the skin

The skin’s pH level doesn’t remain constant and keeps changing according to the skincare routines and environmental factors. Vinegar helps in maintaining the skin’s natural pH level of 5.5, which promotes healthy skin.

Spraying the face with a solution of one part vinegar to four parts water or use a cotton ball to dab the solution onto the face.