Apple Cider Vinegar Baths: Do They Have Any Benefits?

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Medical News TodaySubscribeAre there any benefits of apple cider vinegar baths?

Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — Written by Tom Rush — Updated on October 17, 2024

Are there benefits?
Uses
How to prepare
Summary

Some claim that adding apple cider vinegar (ACV) to a bath may promote general skin health and remedy several conditions. However, these claims do not have scientific support.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is made by allowing apples or apple juice to ferment. It may have some mild health benefits due to the type of acid in the vinegar and other compounds. ACV has mild antibacterial properties, contains a small amount of antioxidants and probiotics.

Due to these properties, some people claim that soaking in ACV may improve bacterial balance on the skin, improve wound healing, and help treat skin conditions such as acne and eczema. However, there is no robust scientific backing for any of these claims.

Are there benefits of taking an ACV bath?

a person sat in a bathtub, shot from above — Bethany Birnie/Stocksy

Proponents of ACV as a topical remedy claim that its acidic nature can aid skin health.

The reason that these factors could help is that the barrier on the outer layer of skin, or the acid mantle, is naturally acidic. It protects the skin from viruses, infections, and other potential hazards. Any breaks in this barrier or factors that cause the skin’s pH levels to change may lead to skin problems.

As a result, people claim that adding ACV to a bath makes the water more acidic, thus promoting skin health by restoring the skin’s pH balance and protecting this outermost layer. Proponents claim ACV soaks may help with skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and wound healing.

However, a 2019 study of 22 people found that soaking in ACV may have detrimental effects. In this study, most of the participants who took ACV baths reported no improvements to the skin barrier and found that the ACV actually caused irritation.

Similarly, a 2021 study found that regular soaking in ACV baths made no changes to the skin microbiome in people with atopic dermatitis (eczema).

Conditions that an ACV bath might help with

Wound treatment

There is little research into the benefits of ACV baths for wound healing. However, small studies suggest that topical ACV applications may have a small positive effect on wound healing in some instances.

For example, one 2023 study found that using ACV in wound dressings had a positive impact on healing rates of diabetic foot ulcers.

A small 2024 animal study also found that a solution of apple cider vinegar and p-coumaric acid did indeed help promote wound healing by reducing bacterial activity in open wounds.

However, neither of these studies directly supports the use of ACV baths.

Fungal infections

Some people support the topical use of ACV for its antifungal properties. While it does indeed have antifungal properties, studies have not found applicable uses for ACV in skincare.

For example, a 2018 study found that a highly concentrated ACV solution was effective in inhibiting candida albicans–a commonly occurring yeast in and on the body. However, the study used a 50% ACV-to-water solution, which is not possible to use practically for soaking as it would be dangerously acidic.

Eczema

Some people with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, may wish to try taking ACV baths in an attempt to reduce eczema symptoms. The reasoning behind these claims is that eczema alters the natural PH balance of the skin, and acidic soaks can help restore this to its natural levels, and in turn, reduce symptoms.

However, as mentioned previously, a 2021 study found that ACV soaking made no significant changes to the skin barrier integrity.

Learn more about ACV for eczema here.

How to prepare an ACV bath

Although there is limited evidence as to the beneficial effects of ACV, some people may wish to try taking an ACV bath. However, it is important to patch-test a small area of skin with a diluted ACV solution before doing an ACV bath for the first time. A person should wait a few days after performing a patch test to thoroughly check for any reaction.

A person can add 1–2 cups of ACV to a warm bath and soak for 20–30 minutes. Doing this regularly may be enough to promote overall skin health.

After bathing, rinse the skin under cool water to close the pores and remove excess vinegar.

People with localized conditions, such as a fungal infection in the foot, may want to isolate the area and only apply diluted ACV or soak the affected area.

Learn more about the possible side effects of ACV, and how to use it safely, here.

Summary

Although people may claim it to have benefits, there is little scientific backing to soaking the skin in an ACV solution. People should speak with a medical professional about any skin symptoms they wish to address before trying alternative remedies.

Dermatology
Atopic Dermatitis / Eczema
Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Get the facts: Apple cider vinegar. (n.d.).https://nationaleczema.org/blog/get-the-facts-acv/
Hameed AK, et al. (2023). The benefit of using apple cider vinegar to reduce foot ulcer grade among diabetic patients: A new dressing method.https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373435788_The_Benefit_of_Using_Apple_Cider_Vinegar_to_Reduce_Foot_Ulcer_Grade_among_Diabetic_Patients_A_New_Dressing_Method
Luu LA, et al. (2019). Apple cider vinegar soaks [0.5%] as a treatment for atopic dermatitis do not improve skin barrier integrity.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31328306/
Luu LA, et al. (2021). Apple cider vinegar soaks do not alter the skin bacterial microbiome in atopic dermatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8172074/
Venkadakrishnan J, et al. (2024). Ameliorative effect of apple cider vinegar and p-coumaric acid combination in Ex ovo antimicrobial and in vivo wound healing models.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667142524000095
Yagnik D, et al. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788933/

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Medically reviewed by Imashi Fernando, MS, RDN, CDCES — Written by Tom Rush — Updated on October 17, 2024

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Are there benefits of taking an ACV bath?

Conditions that an ACV bath might help with

Wound treatment

Fungal infections

Eczema

How to prepare an ACV bath

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