Apples, applesauce, and apple cider vinegar (ACV) can be versatile ingredients in your skincare routine, offering a range of benefits from exfoliation to hydration. Harness the malic acid benefits your face, skin, and hair with these apple-based beauty recipes.
Jump to:
- Apple Benefits for Skin
- Malic Acid Benefits
- Apple Beauty Recipes
- 1. Exfoliating Applesauce Mask
- 2. Apple Face Mask for Brightening
- 3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Bentonite Clay Mask for Detoxifying
- 4. ACV Toner for Acne-Prone Skin
- 5. Apple Peel Scrub for Body Exfoliation
- 6. Cleansing Applesauce Scalp Treatment
- 7. ACV Hair Rinse for Shine and Scalp Health
Apple Benefits for Skin
What’s the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away? Well, there’s some truth to that! Apples are not only nutritious to eat but also offer various benefits for the skin due to their rich content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
The different types of apples also provide a variety of nutrients. Sometimes, it’s because of their color. For instance, red apples have polyphenols, while green apples do not. Honeycrisp and Crimson Gold apples have higher levels of antioxidants, while Fuji has the most B vitamins.
Here are some notable skin benefits of apples:
1. Hydration
Apples are composed of about 86% water, which can help hydrate the skin and maintain its natural moisture barrier. This is essential for keeping the skin soft, plump, and healthy.
2. Brightening and Lightening
Apples contain vitamin C, which is known for its ability to brighten the complexion, reduce dullness, and lighten hyperpigmentation or dark spots. Regular use can lead to a more even-toned and radiant skin appearance.
3. Anti-Aging
The antioxidants present in apples, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, combat free radicals and can help prevent signs of aging. These antioxidants help in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other age-related skin changes.
4. Acne and Blemish Control
Apples contain natural acids, like malic acid, that act as gentle exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and reduce acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of apples can also help in reducing the appearance of blemishes and acne scars.
5. Skin Toning
The astringent qualities of apple can help in tightening the skin and reducing the appearance of large pores, leading to a smoother skin texture.
6. Sun Damage Repair
The antioxidants in apples can aid in repairing skin damage caused by UV exposure, helping to soothe sunburns and reduce the risk of long-term skin damage.
7. Boosts Collagen Production
Vitamin C in apples is crucial for collagen synthesis, which is essential for skin elasticity and firmness. By promoting collagen production, apples help in keeping the skin youthful and resilient.
8. Detoxification
Apples have detoxifying effects on the skin, thanks to their vitamins and minerals that support the removal of toxins. This can lead to clearer and healthier-looking skin.
Incorporating apples into your diet or using skincare products with apple extracts can provide these benefits. Additionally,
Malic Acid Benefits
Malic acid is one of the alpha-hydroxy acids and can be found in several fruits and vegetables [source]. Apples and the natural malic acid contained in them are powerful chemical exfoliants, making them a great seasonal source for healthy skin.
Remove dead skin cells: Malic acid is great for helping slough off dead skin cells, and it has various benefits in addition to exfoliation (i.e., removal of dead skin cells).
Boost skin hydration: It functions as a humectant, promoting skin hydration through moisture retention.
Promotes new cell growth: It helps brighten a dull complexion and creates an improvement in overall skin texture by promoting cell turnover.
Fights aging: Malic acid reduces fine lines and wrinkles by thickening and plumping the skin [source]. And regular use of malic acid will provide antioxidant power to prevent premature aging.
Battles acne: In addition, malic acid has also been shown to reduce the signs of acne and prevent acne by keeping skin free of dead skin cell buildup that contributes to irritation and acne formation.
Apple Beauty Recipes
Apples are a naturally potent source of malic acid [source], so using them to create skin treatments makes a lot of sense! Homemade apple-based masks or topical treatments can be a natural way to enhance your skin's health and appearance.
1. Exfoliating Applesauce Mask
Raid the kitchen for an easy spa night face mask recipe that gently exfoliates and hydrates the skin.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoon organic, preservative-free applesauce
- 1 tablespoon ground organic oats
- 1 teaspoon raw organic honey
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice (optional—if you have sensitive skin, this can be omitted)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl and apply to your face and neck.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes.
- As you wash the mask off, feel free to gently rub the skin in circular motions. Towel dry and follow with moisturizer.
2. Apple Face Mask for Brightening
With a double dose of natural acids, this apple (malic acid) and yogurt (lactic acid) mask can help brighten the skin. If your skin is dry, skip the yogurt and just combine apple and honey to hydrate and soothe your skin.
Ingredients
- 1 small apple (grated)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- Squeeze of lemon (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the grated apple with honey and yogurt to form a paste. Add lemon juice if using.
- Apply this mask to your face and leave it on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with warm water.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Bentonite Clay Mask for Detoxifying
This is a simpler take on one of my favorite pore-cleansing face mask recipes. We've omitted the activated charcoal to reduce the mess factor, but ACV and clay are still great for detoxifying and drawing out impurities from the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Water (as needed)
Instructions
- Mix the bentonite clay and ACV to form a paste, adding water if the mixture is too thick.
- Apply to the face and leave it until it dries (about 10-15 minutes), then rinse off.
4. ACV Toner for Acne-Prone Skin
This homemade toner can help balance the skin's pH, reduce acne, and minimize the appearance of your pores. I make a version with ¼ cup ACV and ¾ cup water (or lavender water) for my daughter who loves it for reducing blemish flare-ups and redness.
Ingredients
- 1 part apple cider vinegar
- 3 parts water
- 2 drops of tea tree oil for additional antibacterial properties
Instructions
- Mix the ACV with water, and if desired, add tea tree oil.
- Apply the mixture to the skin using a cotton pad after cleansing.
5. Apple Peel Scrub for Body Exfoliation
Saving peels and making powdered cleansers and scrubs feels like next-level recycling. I also love to save orange peels for a quick and easy vitamin C toner. Use in the shower to exfoliate dead skin cells, promoting smoother and more radiant skin.
Ingredients
- Peels from 2 apples (you can also do this with pomegranate peels)
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Dry the apple peels, then grind them into a fine powder.
- Mix with sugar and coconut oil to create a body scrub.
6. Cleansing Applesauce Scalp Treatment
It cannot get more simple than a one-ingredient recipe! Malic acid has benefits for hair too. It will break down any clogged hair follicles and dead skin lingering on the scalp.
Ingredients
- ½ cup organic, preservative-free applesauce, or you can make your own fresh applesauce
Instructions
- Apply organic, preservative-free applesauce directly to your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse. Conditioner is not necessary as your locks will be left shiny and clean.
- Use several times a month to cleanse the scalp. You can also try this apple cider vinegar scalp scrub!
7. ACV Hair Rinse for Shine and Scalp Health
A super simple hair rinse can help clarify your scalp, remove product buildup, and add shine to your hair. You can take this recipe up a notch by infusing your ACV with healthy-hair herbs, like a few sprigs of rosemary to boost hair growth.
The vinegar doesn't smell great but the scent will fade. Feel free to add a few drops of lavender essential oil.
Ingredients
- ½ cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- After shampooing, rinse your hair with the mixture of ACV and water.
- Let it stay in your hair for a few minutes then rinse.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who practices adult and pediatric dermatology, skin cancer treatment, and cosmetic dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
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