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Today’s recipe comes from my gorgeous friend Christina Holm-Sandok, whose creamy complexion recently began behaving badly. “Worse than during my junior year in high school!” she declares. Oi. At the suggestion of another friend with annoyingly perfect skin, Christina started drinking a raw apple cider vinegar concoction each morning. After five days she started to see improvement, and her skin just keeps getting better. Meanwhile, I can personally vouch for the fact that she does not smell like salad dressing. The theory behind this concoction is that apple cider vinegar promotes alkalinity in the body, which inhibits inflammation. And inflammation, dear readers, is the cause of pretty much everything that ails us. If you’re still skeptical about drinking the kool-aid, so to speak, I highly recommend this illuminating read. Bottoms up!
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR “COCKTAIL”
2 T. Braggs apple cider vinegar (raw/organic)
Squeeze of lemon juice
Touch of honey (optional)
12 ounces of water
Combine all ingredients. Sip throughout the day, preferably before meals, or chug the whole thing if you can’t stand the taste. It’s actually kind of growing on me.
Filed Under: acne, apple cider vinegar, at-home spa treatment, break-outs, DIY
Hello lovelies! I'm Elizabeth Dehn, a beauty writer + lifestyle editor who's equally fanatical about lip gloss as juice cleansing. I live in Minneapolis with Mr. Bets and our white lab, Molly Thomas . . . 
dying to try. My father swears by this concoction but I have always been skeptical of the taste
This is a spot on recipe ladies…..now, if you are a “high fructose corn syrup” addict (start reading labels), your chronic acne is going to receive only minimal response. It is imperative that if you are a sugar junkie, you get that under control.
Acne prone skin has yeast growing like crazy on it and yeast LOVES sugar.
This concoction is also great for allergy sufferers!
Seriously? Allergies? Okay, this is possibly the best recipe evah. I’m going to drink this daily no matter what it tastes like!!
This also sounds like it would be delicious on a salad…minus the water. :)
Very Interesting! I think I would like to try this.
I’m seeing amazing results with this tonic in my skincare clinic and in myself! From a reduction in blackheads and cystic acne, seasonal allergy symptoms, a slimmer waist-line, warts, and overall-well being! I love what Becky said above about the link between sugar and yeast-she’s right on. The added benefit of drinking ACV is that it DRASTICALLY reduces your craving for sugar. Watch out! You will want to start eating cleaner and you will notice the changes quickly! Gotta love Mother Nature!
I’ve read that drinking apple cider vin & water also is good for getting rid of belly fat. What doesn’t this concoction do???
[...] my chin. As if the cheese withdrawal weren’t painful enough. Esthetician Sara Mattson (she of apple cider vinegar fame) recommended holding a zip-loc bag of ice on the spot for 5-7 minutes before bed. This [...]
I am trying this now hoping to banish these nasty zits, so hopefully it works! I’ve seen Christina’s flawless skin, so I’m optimistic.
Kara, let us know how IT goes!
[...] On her website, Elizabeth features a recipe for an Apple Cider Vinegar drink that’s supposed to diminish inflammation in the body (with inflammation, of course, being responsible for everything from acne to wrinkles). [...]
[...] raw apple cider vinegar for clear skin. It works, and I actually love the taste! Recipe here: http://www.beautybets.com/2010/04/apple-cider-vinegar-for-clear-skin/ What adds pep to your step? Spending time with my family at the cabin, where we hike, read, cook, [...]
e+c…does it have to be braggs? can i just pick up the organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar from Trader Joe’s? thx, ladies. can’t wait to have skin like christinas! :)
Brand does not matter, as long as it is RAW + UNFILTERED. You’ll know because it looks cloudy, unlike cooking vinegar. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures!
I wanted to share how I drink it…I use about 2-3 tbsp. mixed with a small glass of apple juice. I have grown to like it. In desperation, I searched the Internet to solve my recurring extreme stomach pain and bloating which doctors have been unable to diagnose. I have some type of intolerance to products containing corn (tested negative to an actual allergy to corn). I used to go through about 8-10 hours of agony. This recipe takes away the pain every time within about 15 minutes!
Wow wow wow! I knew ACV aided with digestion, but this is amazing – a natural antacid? Thanks for sharing, Paula!
I hope this works out for every one!! I have been using this for a little while and it
left my skin looking healthier and glowing. Just keep at it… even though it doesn’t taste great!!
be sure to drink ACV w/ a straw or you’ll damage the enamel on your teeth! have been using it for the past 5 months and it has really helped my skin! cheers.
How many glasses do you need to drink per dam
y to see results? Just one?
I’ve seen benefits with as little as one big glass, but if you have problematic skin that aim for 2-3 throughout the day to maximize benefits. Best if consumed before meals, to aid with digestion!
I was wondering if it mattered if I just chugged the 2 tbs of ACV and drank water throughout the day. I can’t seem to get used to the taste?
@Natasha – Totally fine! The water, lemon and sugar are there to make it palatable. But be sure you stay hydrated since ACV is a natural diuretic.
Read this article last night and went out to buy Bragg’s immediately! I’ve taken Accutane twice and STILL break out with out a single clear day (btw, tried the orange juice and baking powder mask yesterday and it is literally a miracle worker). I’m trying the natural and diet approach now, I’m even going to the doctors to get tested for a gluten allergy to see if that’s the reason! Anyway, I look forward to trying this out and seeing how it works along with some other diy ideas from your site!
@Rachel – I love your energy! And know that you’re going to see a positive difference as long as you keep moving in a healthy direction – baby steps! I’ve also seen how sugar, dairy and/or stress can play into acne – just something to look at on your way to AMAZING skin! Keep us posted!
I just used apple cider vinegar (ACV) for a pimple under the skin and it just melted away! Instant results. I have been taking ACV with water every morning for about 3 weeks and never considered using on my skin. I am so glad I did! The results were immediate. I used Braggs ACV with the “Mother”. I hope this helps someone.
[...] with a cotton ball, toner-style. Once you get used to the apple cider vinegar (a natural exfoliant/wonder drug), and water-free approach, it’s so refreshing to swipe over your skin in the [...]
do you have to use Braggs ACV or is any brand fine? and how often should i take these? can i keep it premade in the fridge or do i have to make it fresh everyday?
Any brand works, just make sure it’s unfiltered!
You can sip throughout the day or do one big glass – no hard fast rules.
I would make it fresh if you are adding lemon.
Hey!! Thanks for your updates…itz been really helpful…. can i use American Garden ACV…Pls suggest.. Thank you :)
And badly wanted to know…..how soon i can get the result and will i get a flawless skin ?? :P and also want to know how to use on face to get rid of marks and age spots …thank you.
Just a note. As someone mentioned, sipping this may cause erosion to your enamel. I’ve also heard of people cutting down on the water, and would like to warn against this as, in addition to increased enamel erosion you are also risking long-term damage to your throat (similar to what a bulimic might experience). As is often the case, less is more!
@TK – very important reminders, thank you! I think we’re all programmed to think that more is more (eye cream – hello!) but in this case a little really does go a long way. I need to dig into the enamel concern though. Not sure I’m willing to sacrifice teeth for hair!
If you are concerned about enamel erosion try drinking through a straw.
I suffer terrible acne and i think this + cutting down sugar is a good bet for me even if my skin doesn’t improve
Actually when someone doesn’t understand afterward its up to other viewers that they will help, so here it occurs.
I started this about 2 weeks ago with 2-3 glasses a day since my acne was getting worse. Now i started breaking out even more! I was wondering if this was part of the detox and my skin “purging?” Has this ever happened to anyone? My esthetician recommended stopping acv altogether but I still wanna give it a try with hopes that it will improve. I might cut down to one glass a day. Any recommendations?
@audrey Oh no! This is the first I’m hearing of ACV having adverse affects, but I do think it could be part of the purging process. The skin is where toxins emerge and your system is on overdrive right now cleaning out the gunk. Maybe give it another week? Keep me posted!
Ok I will try another week but maybe 1-2 glasses a day. I’ll def keep you posted and hopefully have good news to share!
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