Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

If you’re making or planning on making a transition from conventional to natural hair products, this apple cider vinegar hair rinse recipe could be a welcomed addition to your regimen. You might already know about the many internal benefits of consuming ACV, but it also works wonders on the hair. If you’re looking for stronger, shinier, and smoother hair, then consider an apple cider vinegar hair rinse.

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

The more often you wash your hair (especially with harsh conventional products), the quicker your hair reciprocates by producing oils. If you can get into a hair care routine that relies more on the natural oils your hair produces at a natural rate, your hair will be happier and healthier. Fair warning: transitioning to a natural haircare routine can come with a learning curve for your hair as it gets used to not having to produce as much excess oil.

Benefits and Why We Use It

Made from fermenting apples with live cultures and acids, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a wonderful raw product with beneficial nutrients, acids, and enzymes. It has many uses as far as general body health and wellness are concerned.

It’s all about balance- as we can say about many things in life. The most evident benefit of using an apple cider vinegar rinse on your hair is that it works to balance your pH levels. The pH of healthy hair rests between 4.5 and 5.5. Many commercial products (including store-bought shampoos) throw the balance of your pH off, resulting in brittle or dull locks.

It’s loaded with nutrients that will leave your hair healthier, smoother, and revitalized. ACV acts as a detangler while combatting frizz. It helps hydrate dry hair and manage oily hair.

It has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help scalps remain moisturized and feel relief from irritation and itchiness. If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, ACV can be a huge help.

ACV contains a natural acid that works to remove product build-up. If you use styling products on your hair, applying this rinse can help get you back to neutral.

How to Make It

This recipe is so simple, you might have a hard time believing it! All you need is apple cider vinegar and filtered or purified water. If the acidic smell is a turnoff or you just want to pack in some more ingredients to benefit your hair health, essential oils are an excellent addition.

Using Your Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

This isn’t a product you’ll need or want to use daily on your hair. You should find that 2 times a week or less will do the trick. It’s common for an ACV rinse to be used in place of conditioner.

It might stink a little in the bottle, but your ACV rinse won’t leave your hair smelling like vinegar! Once it dries, any smell will dissipate.

After your shampoo/conditioner regimen, spray your hair with some of the rinse. Massage it into your hair and scalp, allow it to sit for 1-3 minutes, and then rinse it out in the shower.

Adding Essential Oils and Making Infusions

If you’re willing to put some more time into making your rinse and want to make use of fresh herbs, flowers, and plants around your property, you can infuse your ACV before diluting it with water. This process would entail adding your herbs/flowers/plants to a jar of ACV, putting your sealed jar in a cool, dark location for 2-4 weeks, straining the liquid, and diluting that ACV as the recipe states.

Some recommended infusions are lavender, rosemary, calendula, horsetail, hibiscus, chamomile, marshmallow root, peppermint leaves, or licorice root.

Our Best Tips

• For the easiest application, use a spray bottle to apply your rinse.
• Apple cider vinegar rinse doesn’t clean your hair, so using it after you shampoo will give you the greatest benefits.
• Don’t forget to dilute your ACV! Because of its acidity, apple cider vinegar can cause irritation to your skin or scalp if applied directly. You can always dilute this recipe further if you have sensitivity to it.
• Use this rinse up to two times per week. For more oily hair, you’re likely to find two times a week to be the sweet spot, but for drier hair, it might be once a week or less that leaves your hair its healthiest.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

More DIY Natural Beauty

Getting into a more natural haircare and skincare routine can save you dollars while improving your health. Take on one of these homemade products next.

• DIY Face Masks (7 Recipes)
• How to Make Shampoo- Natural DIY Recipe

Print

Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

With beneficial acids, enzymes, and nutrients, apple cider vinegar is an excellent natural product to add to your hair care routine. Diluted in this rinse, it promotes healthy, shiny, smooth, balanced hair.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Materials

• 2-4 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 c filtered or purified water
• 6 drops essential oil optional

Instructions

• Combine ingredients in a jar with lid or use a funnel to add them to a spray bottle.
• Shake well.
• For use, spray on your hair after your normal shampoo/conditioner routine, allow it to sit for 1-3 minutes, and rinse out in the shower.

Notes

• Start with 2 tbsp ACV if you have drier hair and 4 tbsp if you have more oily hair. You will find the dilution that works best for your hair type.
• Recommended essential oils include lavender, rosemary, calendula, chamomile, tea tree, peppermint, and frankincense.
• A spray bottle is recommended for easy application.