Apple cider vinegar gives pep to our culinary seasonings, but it is also a great ally to boost our hair. An inexpensive, ultra-effective ingredient that is easy to incorporate into do-it-yourself hair care!



Recognized for its health and beauty benefits, apple cider vinegar was once called the elixir of youth. Its manufacture results from a double fermentation of apple juice, the sugar of which ferments to turn into alcohol. This then becomes enriched with acetic acid. It is this acetic acid content and its acidic pH, close to the skin and hair, that gives apple cider vinegar its powers.

What are the hair benefits of apple cider vinegar?

Shine star. "Its radiance effect does not go unnoticed and this thanks to its famous acidic pH. In contact with the hair, apple cider vinegar seals its cuticles (scales), smoothes them and provides the lengths with a maximum reflective surface. As a bonus, it neutralizes the limestone, dislodges its dull veil. The hair then captures the light to shine better ", explains Olivier Lebrun, hairdresser.
Champion of express disentangling. "By instantly closing the bristling scales, in addition to smoothing, illuminating the hair, in the process, the apple cider vinegar makes it very silky, easier to disentangle", adds the hairdresser.
Coloring and care boost. "Under the action of chemical treatments such as coloring products, the scales of the hair straighten out. Apple cider vinegar, combined with a moisturizing treatment (coconut oil, avocado oil) as a final step, is life-saving. penetration of the treatment, it folds down the scales, hair well nourished, sheathed, shiny to the key. It secures the coloring, prevents the hair from disgorging at high speed ", specifies Olivier Lebrun.
Anti-impurities parade. "Its acetic acid content helps dislodge dust, pollen, pollution particles. It also eliminates residues of hair products that can accumulate on the scalp, making the hair more airy", adds the expert.

Is apple cider vinegar suitable for all hair types?

“Dry hair, go your way. If its acidic pH has advantages for disentangling the mane, the acidity of apple cider vinegar may weaken hair with a tendency to dryness. Be careful also with sensitive scalps, which it could irritate! It is therefore recommended to use it very occasionally on healthy hair as well as on a scalp which does not present any pathology ".

It is very effective on oily hair, to always use moderately and on condition of rinsing it well, advises Dr. Naïma Midoun, dermatologist.

How to choose your cider vinegar?

It is chosen organic, preferably, in order to avoid unwanted pesticides. "The color of apple cider vinegar is a good clue, it varies depending on the variety of apples it is made from. It can appear more or less clear, amber.

Blondes should select it ultra-light, so as not to risk seeing their color changed.
Brunettes can choose it with their eyes closed, clear or golden, no alteration possible ", indicates Olivier Lebrun

Three DIY recipes to restore shine and suppleness to your hair

1. Rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar
The ingredients: 200 ml of water • 200 ml of apple cider vinegar • 2 drops of lavender essential oil

Manual :

In a bottle, we start by pouring the water, adding the dose of apple cider vinegar and incorporating the drops of lavender essential oil. We blend.
After shampooing, damp hair, head down, this treatment is poured as a rinse lotion on the scalp, it will spread naturally over the lengths.

Recipe taken from Making its beauty & health products, Régine Quéva, Larousse edition, € 14.90.

Advice from Dr Naïma Midoun

"This preparation is very effective for shining the hair, but beware of the high content of apple cider vinegar which could irritate the scalp! The ideal is to reduce the dose of apple cider vinegar by half and apply this preparation only on lengths, on healthy hair, once a week. Be careful also with lavender essential oil and the risk of allergy! It is preferable to test it beforehand in the bend of the elbow to check that the skin is there not responsive. "

2. A lotion for sensitive scalps

The ingredients: 75 ml of distilled water • 25 ml of apple cider vinegar • 2 tablespoons of dried thyme

Manual :

In a saucepan, place all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Remove the pan, cover it and let steep until completely cooled
The preparation is filtered with a fine cheesecloth or a coffee filter, and it is poured into a hermetically sealed bottle.

 Gently rub the entire scalp with this lotion, with the tips of the fingers spread in the spider position.

Advice from Dr Naïma Midoun

"Even if the amount of distilled water dilutes the apple cider vinegar content, it is not recommended to apply this preparation on a sensitive scalp, it could irritate it. It can be used occasionally on a leather. healthy hair to degrease it from styling product residues, massive sweating after a workout or wearing a bicycle helmet, for example. "

3. A cleansing lotion for oily hair

Ingredients: 190 ml of distilled water • 4 tbsp. to s. of fresh thyme • 2 sprigs of fresh mint • 5 ml of cider vinegar • 5 ml of vegetable glycerin • 5 drops of essential oil of lemongrass • 10 drops of essential oil of lavender • 5 drops of essential oil of sage • 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract

Manual :

We infuse the mint and thyme in the distilled water. Allowed to cool, then passed through a coffee filter.
The preparation is poured into a bottle fitted with a spray.
Add vegetable glycerin, essential oils, apple cider vinegar and grapefruit seed extract.
Before each use, the preparation is shaken well.

Recipes taken from Making natural cosmetics, it’s easy !, Cyrille Saura-Zellweger, Jouvence editions, € 8.70.

Advice from Dr Naïma Midoun

"This lotion is ideal for degreasing the hair, the apple cider vinegar content is low, just enough to eliminate a greasy effect without attacking the hair. On the other hand, it presents risks of allergy, because it contains a lot essential oils. Their use is not without risk, a check by the dermatologist is imperative. This lotion is used once a week, avoiding the hair dryer, because the acidity of the cider vinegar and the heat of the latter do not mix well. "