Humans have used white vinegar to kill germs for thousands of years, both on their skin and on contaminated surfaces. In theory, white vinegar might kill the bacteria on the skin's surface that helps to make acne worse. However, no medical studies back the use of white vinegar in acne treatment.
Causes
Acne develops when your pores clog with debris and excess oil produced by your sebaceous glands, according to the website MayoClinic.com. Those clogs, which you know as blackheads and whiteheads, then can harbor bacteria. If those bacteria begin to proliferate, they can produce a pimple, which is an infected pore.
Function
White vinegar, a form of acetic acid, develops from the breakdown of organic materials such as grains or wood, according to the website Drugs.com. Because it is an acid with a low pH, white vinegar can kill some germs on contact, and some cultures still use it as a natural antiseptic on wounds. In acne treatment, white vinegar might kill acne-causing bacteria, but it wouldn't loosen the clogs in your pores or prevent excess oil from accumulating on your skin.
Use
If you're interested in trying white vinegar on your acne lesions, you should dilute it first, since it can irritate and sting your skin in its full-strength form. Cultures that advise white vinegar use as an antiseptic apply it directly to skin wounds and lesions several times each day, according to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Even diluted, it may still irritate your skin. If that occurs, use less vinegar each day or discontinue using it entirely.
Warning
No well-controlled, rigorous medical studies back the use of white vinegar in acne treatment. Its antiseptic properties may not be enough to overcome the bacteria implicated in acne, which often stubbornly resists treatment. It's also possible that treating your acne with white vinegar might irritate your skin, and skin irritation can lead to additional acne lesions, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Considerations
When it comes to acne, you need to tackle the problem promptly, or you might risk developing difficult-to-treat acne scars, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If white vinegar fails to clear your complexion, you should turn quickly to effective over-the-counter remedies, such as those containing benzoyl peroxide, or visit your dermatologist to learn about your other treatment options.
Member Comments