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A super easy apple cider vinegar hair rinse you can do in the shower in under five minutes that will help strengthen your hair, reduce frizz, and remove build up!
If the thought of using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse seems a bit out there, I totally get it. Before I added it to my hair care routine (using raw apple cider vinegar), I was a bit skeptical to say the least. The last thing I wanted to do was walk around with apple cider vinegar hair.
But, after doing a lot of research on the benefits, I decided to take the plunge. I first ditched my conventional toner for a DIY apple cider vinegar toner and was blown away with the results. I also began researching more about the harmful ingredients in conventional makeup and skin care products, and it really opened my eyes.
As I started working on switching out my cosmetic products to safer ones, my skin completely changed and my hormonal acne and blemishes disappeared. Soon after, I started experimenting with applying an apple cider vinegar hair rinse. Truthfully, when I was experimenting with my ACV rinse recipe, there was absolutely no information available. I started from scratch, and spent months perfecting the formula.
Now, this one of my favorite ways to keep my skin and hair on point. Seven years later, I still do it weekly! And while there are many benefits to apple cider vinegar—both internally and topically—one of my favorite uses is this hair rinse.
Jump to:
Why do an Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse?
Your hair is actually a two-part structure consisting of a follicle and a shaft. Just below the surface of the skin are sebaceous glands, which secrete sebum through the hair follicle. This oil lubricates your hair and skin.
Your acid mantle is a very fine, slightly acidic film that maintains and protects the overall health of the hair and skin, and it has a big impact on the appearance of your hair. The outer layer of the shaft, also known as the cuticle, is compromised of tightly packed overlapping scales. The acid mantle is instrumental in making cuticle scales lie flat, which gives hair a shiny, smooth appearance and protects from moisture loss.
The Anatomy of a Bad Hair Day
If you’ve ever had a bad hair day, it’s probably because of disruptions to your acid mantle. The acid mantle typically has a pH of around 5, which means it is slightly acidic. Many hair care products, treatments, and some shampoos are more alkaline (have a pH above 7), which can contaminate or remove the acid mantle.
When the acid mantle becomes alkaline, hair swells and the scales on the cuticle open. This leaves your hair susceptible to breakage. It also results in frizzy, brittle hair which has a “dull” appearance due to the fact that the hair is absorbing light instead of reflecting it. Hooray picture day!
The acid mantle can also be disrupted by other factors, including stress, diet, and sweat. So, proactively restoring our hair to its natural pH and maintaining the acid mantle is crucial for strong, healthy hair.
Because apple cider vinegar has pH of around 3, when properly diluted with water, it helps to balance the pH of your hair, leading to many happy hair days.
Why Raw Apple Cider Vinegar?
Raw (or unfiltered) apple cider vinegar is simply the by-product of the fermentation of apples. Research shows apples are loaded with potassium, pectin, malic acid, and calcium. Fermentation fortifies the end product with even more beneficial acids and enzymes. Raw apple cider vinegar leaves all of the nutrients in the vinegar, which is why it’s the preferred option over pasteurized apple cider vinegar.
Key Benefits
Apple cider vinegar has many positive benefits. When you dilute it properly and apply a rinse regularly, you’ll start to notice some pretty profound shifts in how your hair looks and responds.
- Gorgeous, Frizz-Free Hair: Apple cider vinegar is packed with nutrients that are great for building luscious locks, including B vitamins, vitamin C, and potassium. Because it is slightly acidic, it also serves to restore the natural pH of the acid mantle. Exposure to this acidity hardens the outer layer of the hair and flattens the cuticle, resulting in hair that shines, slides easily, and is less prone to tangling or snagging.
- Clears Out Product Build-Up: Apple cider vinegar also contains natural alpha-hydroxy acid, which gently exfoliates the scalp and hair, allowing for removal of dead skin cells and build up that can occur from sweat and/or conventional hair products. This improves the appearance of the hair, reduces itchiness, and allows for better styling.
- Restores Balance and Reduces Dandruff: For those who experience scalp-related conditions such as dandruff, apple cider vinegar can bring relief because of its antimicrobial properties. Research shows it may help stop the growth of fungus, which can be a cause of dandruff. In addition to being antimicrobial, apple cider vinegar is also anti-inflammatory, which can counteract the skin inflammation that typically occurs with dandruff and a dry, flaky scalp.
How Do I Do an ACV Hair Rinse?
While it may seem a little odd at first, apple cider vinegar can fit right into your normal routine. Just do this quick and easy hair rinse once a week to experience the benefits.
- Clean: Shampoo your hair and rinse.
- Mix: Add 1 3/4 cup water to a measuring cup or squeeze bottle. Add 3-4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar depending on your hair type.
- Pour: Lean your head back and pour the rinse over your head, working it into your scalp. Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Let the mixture sit on your hair for 1-2 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse the apple cider vinegar out of your hair. Apply conditioner as needed.
Can I Use Apple Cider Vinegar If I Have Color Treated Hair?
Yes! The experts agree that apple cider vinegar is safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. If you have color treated hair and want to remove buildup (but not your gorgeous color), ACV is the perfect fit!
Tips + Tricks
- The specific amount of apple cider vinegar you use in the recipe may vary depending on your individual needs. If you have very sensitive skin, start with three tablespoons. Work your way up to four tablespoons if you aren’t experiencing results.
- Dry hair will do better with less acv, while those with oily hair or scalp issues will do better with more.
- Treat this rinse like a treatment, so start by applying it once a week. You can up it to twice a week if it works well for your scalp. If you have drier hair, you may find you do best applying this hair rinse 1-2x a month.
- The best way to mix up the recipe is to pour the ingredients into a 16 oz plastic squeeze bottle. You can also do this in a large silicone pourable measuring cup. Just buy a set for your shower!
- After you rinse it out, your hair will no longer smell like apple cider vinegar.
- If your hair is shoulder length or shorter, you can reduce your overall rinse by half. So, use 1 cup of cool water and 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar.
- After using the rinse, apply conditioner to the ends of your hair just like you normally do.
More Skin Care Articles
- Apple Cider Vinegar Face Toner: Recipe, Benefits, & Tips
- Homemade Aloe Vera After-Sun Lotion
- Whipped Magnesium Body Butter
- Cycle Syncing Your Skincare Routine to Stop Hormonal Acne and Breakouts
Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
A super easy apple cider vinegar hair rinse you can do in the shower in under five minutes that will help strengthen your hair, reduce frizz, and remove build up!
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 3–4 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
- 2–3 drops lavender oil (optional)
Instructions
- Clean: Shampoo your hair. Rinse with warm water.
- Mix: Mix the apple cider vinegar, water, and essential oil (optional) together in a 16 oz plastic squirt bottle or large cup.
- Pour: Lean your head back and pour the rinse over your head, working it into your scalp. Be careful to avoid contact with your eyes. Let the mixture sit on your hair for 1-2 minutes.
- Rinse: Rinse the apple cider vinegar throughly out of your hair. Use conditioner as needed.
Notes
- Use this rinse 1x a week for best results.
- If your hair is more dry or you have sensitive skin, start with 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar. If your hair is more oily or you have an itchy scalp, use 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup).
Have any questions, insights, or experiences you’d like to share? Post them below! I’d LOVE to hear from you!
Erin says
Hi, thanks for the recipe! Quick question: I live in an area with very hard water, hence the ACV rinse. If I rinse out the vinegar and post-conditioner with normal water, won’t that negate the benefits since the water is hard? Would it be better to leave the ACV rinse in my hair? Thanks for your help.
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hi Erin! You definitely want to rinse it off—do not let the ACV rinse dry on your scalp. Rinsing and doing conditioner + another rinse won’t eliminate the benefits. It’s still exfoliating, reducing build up, and and treating your scalp.
Mary says
I put the ACV & water in my hair before shampooing, massaged my head and left it for several minutes b4 shampooing. I also have baking soda (takes the yellowish out of my grey hair) in my shampoo. My hair is so soft. It didn’t occur to me to rinse my hair with ACV. I’m thinking it’s working b4 shampooing too. Thank you for this article.
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Dori says
Hi, I’ve made apple cider vinegar hair rinse using the raw apple cider “with the mother included.” Sometimes the apple cider has chunks or pieces of the mother in it and then the finished apple cider vinegar hair rinse that I make has these chunks in it. Should I try to strain those out when I make the recipe? They seem kind of gross when they get in my hair!
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Hey Dori! You can absolutely strain these! They really only become an issue when you get to the bottom of the bottle. When I make the acv hair rinse, I typically shake the rinse to break everything up and combine it well.
Jacquelyne says
Wonderful
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Martha says
How often can you use this treatment
Prina says
Hi! Would you recommend the acv be Applied after shampoo or can I apply it before shampoo and then wash with shampoo? Does rinsing with water benefit the hair more rather than washing with shampoo?
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Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I recommend doing the acv rinse in between shampoo and conditioner because you don’t necessarily want to scrub it out. It would be like putting conditioner on, then shampooing. Rinsing out with water allows the hair to remain treated by it (smoother, shinier, etc.) and then you can put conditioner on the ends!
Holly says
Wow I’m amazed ty
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Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
So glad it helped!
Andrea says
Hello,
Thanks for the info. I do have a question though. I am using Nioxin Shampoo to cleanse my hair. Will the ACV rinse do any harm?
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Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I don’t have any personal experience with Nioxin. So sorry!
Josh says
I’m about to try this rinse for dandruff issues. Do you recommend conditioning afterwards or just doing the acv rinse and being done after rinsing? Also out of curiosity would this work for a beard as well?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I definitely recommend conditioner on your ends afterwards. You could definitely do it for beards—but keep in mind facial skin is more sensitive. Try diluting it even more so for beards!
Danielle says
How often should I do the ACV rinse? Once a week?
Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
I would start with once a week, then adjust according to how your scalp responds.
Janie Ontiveros says
My hair is falling out everyday and thinning like crazy on my right side of my head only. Need this recipe. Thank you!
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Kim says
I do this at least 1-2 x per month. Helps get EVERY old product out and my scalp feels extra clean. Great hair detox!
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Vincenza says
Hi there! I have a try itchy a scalp and started using ACV rinses, at the moment doing it either once or twice a week (depends if I wash my hair once or twice in a week basically) but am I okay to continue doing that for a while until my scalp is feeling better? It’s already so much better but I’m scared that it’s bad for my hair or will upset my hair in the meantime?
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Noelle Tarr, NTP, CPT says
Yes, absolutely! 1-2x a week is totally fine if that’s working for your scalp.