ComScore

Here's What Might Happen if You Swap Apple Cider Vinegar for Your Shampoo

Listen, we’re no strangers to the whole DIY beauty thing. Coconut oil has all but changed our lives, and we’ve been concocting our own face masks on the regs. So when we heard about apple cider vinegar (or “ACV”) and the magical effects it has on your hair, we decided to investigate further. Here, five things that might happen if you swapped ACV for your shampoo.

How to Make a DIY Sugar Body Scrub


clean hair
Choreograph/Getty Images

Your Hair Might Feel Cleaner
One of the best benefits of doing an apple-cider-vinegar rinse is that it removes any buildup of products (like gel, mousse, hairspray or serum) from your scalp and strands. To try it out, fill an empty spray bottle with three tablespoons of apple cider vinegar for every cup of water. In the shower, apply the solution to your scalp and massage for a few minutes before rinsing and styling as you normally would.

You Might Have Less Dandruff
Prone to getting flakes? Once or twice a week, use the ACV rinse we described above. It should help clear things up and soothe any itchiness thanks to its antimicrobial and acidic nature.

shiny hair
Twenty20

Your Hair Might Look Shinier
Apple cider vinegar is just acidic enough to help balance the pH of your hair and scalp without stripping it dry. When applied to your strands, it sweeps away any minerals from your shower water (as well as, the aforementioned product build up) that’s causing your hair to look dull.

And It Might Feel Softer
The natural acidity in apple cider vinegar helps to smooth down the cuticle and fill any gaps in the hair shaft (which means silky soft and more manageable hair for you). 

But It Might Smell a Bit At First
Yes, that salad-dressing smell is potent at first, but after a thorough rinse and dry, any lingering odors should mostly dissipate. But if you really can’t stomach the scent, try an ACV treatment that’s diluted with essential oils like lavender instead.



Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...