Why Apple Cider Vinegar Might Be the Key to All Your Hair Woes

“ACV neutralizes and supports the natural biome of the scalp,” Hill says. “Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties to cleanse and natural alpha hydroxy acids that gently exfoliate to encourage cellular turnover and create an optimal environment for hair to grow. On the hair shaft, ACV closes the cuticle, sealing in moisture and adding optimal shine.”

It also helps if you have any sort of scalp irritation. “ACV is great for people with psoriasis because it can soothe the irritation and calm,” Michael says. “It also has antibacterial and antifungal properties.”

Because ACV seals the hair’s cuticle, it also helps reduce breakage and frizz, maintain elasticity, and lock in color to prevent fading, Ruggeri explains.

Among its other main benefits? Treating dandruff. Present in both dry and oily hair types, dandruff is a “yeastlike fungus that feeds on oils on the scalps of most adults,” Ruggeri says. “Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial and antifungal properties that make it effective in killing and preventing dandruff-causing yeast on the scalp,” he adds.

Additionally, both Ruggeri and Hill mention that ACV can support hair growth by removing product buildup, especially from commonly used items like dry shampoo. “ACV unblocks follicles in the scalp so that strands have freedom to thrive,” Ruggeri says. (Note: If you use dry shampoo, Ruggeri advises spraying it on the mid-lengths of hair, rather than the roots, to prevent clogging the follicle).

According to all of our experts, apple cider vinegar works for nearly every hair type and texture. And because of its smoothing and frizz-fighting properties, Rugetti mentions it’s particularly a favorite of people with thick, curly hair. But if you have super dry, over-processed, or exceptionally fine strands, they agree it’s best to avoid them.

“Since ACV is acidic, it can be a bit too strong for anyone who has mechanical damage—say from bleaching, excess sun exposure or overusing hot tools—very fine hair that’s naturally brittle or anyone who has difficulty growing their mane,” Ruggeri notes. “If your hair is breaking off, you can put ACV onto the roots, but it should never be applied to the ends.”

And if you’re ever in doubt whether or not ACV might be right for your hair type, both Ruggeri and Hill recommend performing a strand test first before applying the ingredient all over.

“An individual’s unique scalp condition, hair type and texture will determine how frequently they should use ACV,” Hill says. “It can be used as a pre-shampoo scalp treatment that’s massaged in, processed for 10 to 15 minutes and shampooed out. It can be used as a cleansing agent on non-shampoo days to refresh and balance the scalp or applied up to three times a week to spot treat itchy or oily scalps.” If you shampoo, Hill recommends doing so two times a week and using an ACV rinse another time throughout the week (keep in mind that while ACV pairs well with most shampoos, you should avoid using it with those featuring salicylic acid, as the combo can be too drying). If you have more severe scalp concerns, she suggests using an ACV rinse two to three times a week.

While similar in function, clarifying shampoos and ACV rinses have a few key differences. “Clarifying shampoos are alkaline detergents and surfactants that remove residual product or oils, but that can also strip the scalp of healthy oils if used too often and leave the cuticle open, making the hair more prone to dryness and color fading,” Hill explains. “ACV, on the other hand, closes the cuticle to retain moisture while performing exfoliant tasks, such as introducing antimicrobial properties to reduce unwanted bacteria.” Some clarifying shampoos use apple cider vinegar to help remove product buildup without stripping.

While plenty of great ACV products are on the market (more on that below), if you’re on a budget, creating your own DIY rinse can be a more cost-effective option. You can customize your ACV-to-water ratio to modify the intensity of the mixture, depending on your hair type and the seriousness of your scalp concerns, however below is a great starting point for creating and applying an ACV rinse:

1. Mix 1 part ACV with two parts distilled water (avoid using tap water, Ruggeri says, as this can be very acidic).
2. Place the mixture in a clean bottle with a nozzle.
3. Shampoo and condition your hair (using a deep, nourishing conditioner, Rugetti advises), then rinse.
4. Blot your hair dry in the shower, then lightly apply the ACV mixture and gently work it through the hair shaft with your hands.
5. Place your hair in a ponytail or secure it in a clip atop your head and let the product settle in for a few minutes.
6. Use lukewarm to cold water to close the outer layer of the hair and lock in moisture.
   

Gregorio Ruggeri, a certified trichologist and creative director of Salon Ruggeri in NYC

Bobby Michael, co-owner of Manhattan’s Maverick House salon and Randco global educator

Bridgette Hill, a certified trichologist and founder of Root Cause Scalp Analysis — a digital platform that offers virtual scalp analysis consultations, treatments and guidance to help improve users' scalp health

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with hair experts about the absolute best apple cider vinegar hair products for every hair type. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.