So I’ve used apple cider vinegar (ACV) for rinsing my hair since I went natural. Usually one a week, all though I’ve stopped since I’ve started doing the “cherrylola treatment” So I tell you now that this post is not about hair.
It’s about my skin.
If you’ve been reading my blog you’ll know that I have super sensitive skin. (I also have a very sensitive internal system.) My skin wasn’t always like this. I had normal, oily t zone skin since adolescence and was always on the look out for something to stop the oil. 3 years ago, a product from L’oreal called Pure Zone was heavily advertised on TV. The claims were that zinc helped it reduce pore size and stop your face from getting oily. I bought the whole line. And destroyed my skin. The moisturiser in particular burnt the t-zone area, mostly the area around my nose and around my mouth and chin. It is in this area that women tend to get red and often, breakouts because of our hormones. I now know that zinc plays a big role in how progesterone and estrogen interact with each other. I’m not sure if this is why i had such a bad reaction to it but I’m guessing that it contributed.
Since then I have had seriously sensitive skin. Flaky and dry and yet oily too. Plus Eczema. I haven’t been able to use normal face washes. Anything with sulfates flare my skin up. Same with parfum. For the first year I struggled to ash my face until I decided to try Pears soap, which my mom has used for years. I found that this was a pretty decent way to get makeup off without irritating my skin too much. But it was drying. To combat the dryness I could only, sadly use Vaseline. Everything other cream I used burned. I tried oil: olive, almond, and coconut all to no avail. Even shea butter, which the rest of my body loves, set my skin off. Vaseline stopped the outbreaks for the most part, but clogged my pores. On the worst days I would use the steriod cream that the doctor prescribed, on top of the vaseline.
Last week, on another fluke, I decided to exfoliate my skin with a mixture of baking soda and honey, and followed with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water, using the mixture as a toner. It has been eight days now and my skin is super smooth, the flaking is almost completely gone, no acne, and i can tell that my complexion is more even. For the last three days I’ve managed to put a frangrance free moisturizer on it and not vaseline!
I did a search online and a number of people have found that ACV is a great toner for skin prone to acne. So I thought I’d post about it, just in case anyone else is having skin problem. This just might work for you too! If it does let me know.
Recipe for Eczema Skin and Acne-Prone Skin:
Cleanser/Exfoilator
2 tablespoons of baking soda
1 tablespoon of raw honey (unpasturised)
1 teaspoon of warm water
Make into a paste. Wet face adn the massage the mixture gently on skin for a minute or 2. rinse thorughly.
Toner
1 Part apple cider vinegar
1 Part water
Splash on to face or apply with a cotton ball. The vinegar smell will fade
Follow with a plain moisturiser if necessary
Cherry Lola went Natural Jan 2 2009. She has lived in London England since 2006, but is a Canadian through and through. Follow the journey or better yet share your story with her by emailing 
6 Comments so far
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My word, you just described my very own skin complexion issues. Dry and flaky yet oily and acne prone and amazingly sensitive. The only products that seem to be helping my skin are the Mir range (I don’t sell them and I’m in no way affiliated with them so if you want more info let me kno)
I’m definitely going to try this apple cider vinegar toner though. I love using it in my hair so hopefully it will also help my skin.
Whats funny is I also used the L’oreal pure zone line and it messed me up, but I also used all of those really harsh lines for acne prone skin. I think the combination of all of them made my skin the hot mess it is today! Ah well
By Eva on 04.01.09 9:02 pm | Permalink
I have had eczema for all of my 22 years and never have been able to fine a face cleanser that works for longer than 2-3 weeks before my skin is flaking and dry.
I swear i’ve tried everything and have to say that neutrogena’s facial cleanser works ok but i can feel that my skin gets noticeably drier as the days go on. I would def have to say try Cetaphil either the daily facial cleanser or the regular cleanser (for face and body). These cleansers are so light and effective that you dont really have to use much to cleanse the skin. Its a little pricey but well worth it. I use cetaphil’s moisturizing body cream on my whole body and usually to remove makeup. It doesnt irritate my skin at all has a luxurious velvety feel when you apply it. i know i sound like i work for them but it really is a great product (for me at least) and i cant help but recommend it to every lovely lady that i meet with eczema.
i will deffo. try the ACV as a toner since i just brought some to try as a cleanser for my hair.
great website btw!
By alisa on 04.02.09 12:08 am | Permalink
I loved Cetaphil when I was a teen!! Every dermatologist recommended it!
I didn’t think it was in the UK, because I have never laid eyes on it at a chemist but it is available! check out http://www.cetaphil.co.uk
Thanks Alisa
By admin on 04.02.09 12:29 am | Permalink
if your allergic to sulfates, then cetaphil is a no-no! i was amazed to find, after reading the ingredient list that this supposedly “gentle” cleanser contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which gives me cystic, painful outbreaks of acne.
l’oreal has a facial cleanser with no sulfates and kaolin clay and i find it’s one of the only commercial washes i can use, and have been doing so religiously.
if you’re looking for a facial moisturizer, jojba oil mimcs the skin’s natural sebum and is great for us sensitive-skinned gals.
i moved to montreal about five months ago and my eczema flared up something awful. i’m assuming it’s the cold that really fugged up my skin.
i use vinegar as a toner, too, and i truly don’t mind the smell.
By dalia on 04.07.09 3:13 am | Permalink
i’m glad i’ve found someone with a similar problem with their facial skin.
i get eczema on my eyelids and hate using the steroid cream because it is prone to cause thinning of the skin. i’m going to try this recipe and hopefully it will help.. thanks for the advice cherry lola
By Jodie Alix on 08.21.09 1:32 pm | Permalink
Hi
I am having problems with eczema and I have been reluctant to try it up until now. Figure I might as well give it a try. Thanks for letting us know
By Mark on 09.18.09 11:54 am | Permalink
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