Apples and the natural malic acid contained in them are powerful exfoliants, making them a great seasonal source for healthy skin. What’s the saying, an apple a day keeps the doctor away?
Well, there’s some truth to that due to all the nutrients found in this seasonal fruit. And there’s no better time than autumn to find apples in abundance!
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 high levels of antioxidants, while Fuji has high levels of B-vitamins.
How can we utilize these nutritious fruits for our face, skin and hair?
We previously discussed the difference between chemical and physical exfoliation, and now we’re delving into one type chemical exfoliant, alpha hydroxy acid. Malic acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acids and can be found in several fruits and vegetables.
Malic acid has various benefits in addition to exfoliation (i.e. removal of dead skin cells), which include skin hydration (functions as a humectant, promotes moisture retention), improvement in overall skin texture (promotes cell turnover) and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles (low levels of malic acid have been found to penetrate deeper into the skin and stimulate collagen formation).
Apples are a naturally potent source of malic acid. The wonderful benefits of malic acid include boosting our immunity, detoxifying metals from our bodies, and contributing to overall healthy skin. In addition to the above, malic acid has also been shown to reduce the signs of acne and prevent acne formation.
4 Malic Acid Beauty Recipes
These four apple based beauty recipes will nourish the face, skin and hair. Regular use of malic acid will keep skin free of dead skin cell buildup that contributes to acne, dull complexion, and premature aging.
Now, let’s get cooking in the kitchen with some beauty recipes!
1. Exfoliating Applesauce Mask
- 2 tablespoons organic, preservative free applesauce, option to make your own fresh applesauce as well
- 1 tablespoon ground oats
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice (optional- if you have sensitive skin, this can be removed)
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and apply to face and neck. Leave on for 10 minutes. As you wash the mask off feel free to gently rub in circular motions. Towel dry and follow with moisturizer.
2. Cleansing Applesauce Scalp Treatment
It cannot get more simple than a one ingredient recipe!
- 1/2 cup organic, preservative free applesauce, option to make your own fresh applesauce as well
Apply organic, preservative free applesauce directly to your scalp and hair. The malic acid will break down any clogged hair follicles and dead skin lingering on the scalp.
Leave on for 10 minutes and then rinse. Conditioner is not necessary as locks will be left shiny and clean.
Use several times a month to cleanse scalp. You can also try this apple cider vinegar scalp scrub!
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Peel
- 1 tablespoon organic, raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 lemon (optional)
In a bowl or small cup, pour in the apple cider vinegar and if you are treating pigmentation or sun spots, you can add a squeeze of half a lemon. More sensitive skin should skip the option of the lemon.
Using a cotton round, dip the cotton in the apple cider vinegar and then gently swab over face in circular motions. Avoid the eye area.
Tingling sensations are to be expected; however if you feel burning you can dilute the apple cider vinegar with water. If the tingling and/or burning sensation does not subside with cooling and frequent skin moisturization, it is recommended that you contact your dermatologist.
Leave the peel on for 5 minutes and then rinse off with warm water. A few times of month will help slough off dead skin cells, encouraging new skin cells. It will also help with absorption of serums and moisturizers.
4. ACV & Apple Treatment Peel
- 1 teaspoon organic, raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon applesauce
Combine and mix ingredients in a bowl and apply to skin using a treatment brush. Let sit on skin for 10-15 minutes and then remove with a soft wash cloth and water.
If you plan on apple picking this fall, pick up a few extra apples and put all that healthy malic acid to good use! The less an apple has to travel, the more nutrients it retains, so pick local varieties if at all possible.
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Rina Mary Allawh, M.D., a dermatologist who performs adult and pediatric medical 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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Can I use Filtered Apple Cider Vinegar instead of the raw, unfiltered one?
I’m not so sure about using pure vinegar as well as a lemon on your face as both these ingredients can be very drying and irritating to the skin and do more harm than good.
I’ve been using acv for months now and its the best thing I’ve used for my combo skin. I use it as toner and since I’ve been using it I’ve had less breakouts and my skin is not as oily as it was. It does dry your skin initially but not as much as most Otc products, but once you use it daily your skin adjust. I’m sure with the lemon initially it will be a bit irritating but you can always dilute eight witch hazel.
Because ACV has four different types of acids (malic, citric, glycolic and lactic acids), dilution is very important.
ACV works better if one uses raw, unpasteurized, unfiltered ACV; the best vinegar to purchase would be one that still contains the ‘mother’, which looks like a milky cloud at the bottom of the bottle. Shake well prior to use, and dilute 50/50, use every other day, once a day, and gradually work your way up ‘if’ no irritation is present.
ACV can cause irritation, swelling and redness if one goes overboard – excess irritation causes hyperpigmentation, something none of us want.
I do it all the time, and works perfelty well, the only thing is that you most used at night, after sunset, because the sun can stain your skin, and apply some avocado mask with oil olive after to moisturaizer. and you will feel your face very smooth and clean. it wont affect you the next day with the sun. Much better then all the craps the company sells for business. Good luck.