Can using apple cider vinegar be good for rosacea? Learn why vinegar may be too harsh and how to treat Rosacea more gently.
You might have heard about the multitasking kitchen staple, apple cider vinegar (ACV). In recent years this ingredient has been said to be anything from a brilliant kitchen cleaner to a cure-all skincare hack.
But can using apple cider vinegar topically be good for rosacea?
The truth is, there is no scientific evidence that supports the use of apple cider vinegar for rosacea.
The rest of the internet is still singing the praises of apple cider vinegar, but we think this harsh vinegar could cause more harm than good when it comes to natural rosacea remedies.
Below, we will cover a quick review of what rosacea is, the potential negatives of using apple cider vinegar for rosacea, ways that you can protect your skin barrier instead, and suggest a few rosacea treatments.
Learn More: How To Use a Rosacea Diary To Identify Your Rosacea Triggers in 5 Steps
Rosacea is a common skin condition that affects more than 14 million people in the US.
Rosacea causes skin flushing and redness throughout the center of the face, visibly broken blood vessels, dry skin, a tendency to blush easily, and rosacea related acne-like breakouts are a very common symptom as well.
Some may experience burning, stinging, swelling, thickening of the skin, and skin sensitivity.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, rosacea is common among those who are fair-skinned and those of Celtic or Scandinavian ancestry.
Also Read: What Is the Root Cause of Rosacea? 6 Potential Rosacea Development Factors
Well, there really is no evidence that supports the use of apple cider vinegar for rosacea.
This alternative natural remedy may actually worsen rosacea symptoms if you aren’t careful.
Those with rosacea should steer clear from the chemical exfoliant lactic acid -- which is found organically in apple cider vinegar.
(This is not a bad chemical in general, it’s just not great for those with rosacea.)
Because of the harshness of apple cider vinegar, it has the potential to disrupt and weaken an already vulnerable protective skin barrier. Which could cause even more skin inflammation, irritation, sensitivity, and redness.
Those with rosacea often already have an impaired skin barrier function which might contribute to the condition itself.
Although the cause of rosacea is still unclear, some hypothesize that the root problem is an impaired skin barrier.
So using harsh ingredients like apple cider vinegar, chemical peels and harsh face washes could worsen symptoms by impairing the skin barrier further.
On the flip side, protecting and strengthening your protective skin barrier could reduce inflammatory rosacea symptoms.
Using apple cider vinegar for rosacea is a risky move.
Although some people with rosacea have found anecdotal success using apple cider vinegar, it’s possible this could have the exact opposite effect for others.
Read more: 7 Easy Ways to Calm Your Rosacea Flare-up
Instead of using harsh chemicals to treat your rosacea, air on the side of soothing and strengthening your protective skin barrier.
Read Related: Building the Best Rosacea Skin Care Routine: Product Recommendations and Rosacea Care Advice
We understand that the overarching goal of those treating rosacea is often to reduce and control the appearance of redness.
This can be achieved with much gentler ingredients such as azelaic acid. (Don’t fear this acid, it’s one of the good guys when it comes to rosacea.)
Unlike the acids in apple cider vinegar, azelaic acid has been proven safe, and effective for those with rosacea. This is largely due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of azelaic acid.
Using azelaic acid is an FDA approved and dermatologist-recommended treatment for rosacea.
The best results were seen with 15-16% azelaic acid treatments which are often prescription-only medications like our Strut Rosacea Formula.
Also Read: What Are the 4 Types of Rosacea? (Spoiler: You Could Have More Than One)
Here at Strut, we carry customizable multi-active-ingredient rosacea formulations that can contain ingredients including Oxymetazoline, Ivermectin, Metronidazole, and Azelaic Acid.
Simply select the Strut Rosacea Formula, complete a free online questionnaire-based telemedicine consultation, and check out in under 15 minutes.
Our U.S. doctors will then review your info, and issue a prescription (if appropriate for you). Then, a U.S. compounding pharmacy will put your formula together and ship it to your front door with our free shipping.
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