Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is excellent in marinades and salad dressings, but it's also a fantastic ingredient for your hair and scalp. ACV can prevent an itchy scalp, smoothen hair, and fight frizz. It can strengthen hair, make it shiny and soft, restore the scalp's natural pH level and reduce hair loss.
ACV also maintains the vibrancy of color-treated hair and reduces color fading by closing cuticles. It is also great for reducing mild to moderate dandruff. But the most fantastic benefit is its use to eliminate product build-up and leave hair squeaky clean, gently and safely.
Here's everything to know about how to clarify hair with apple cider vinegar.
Table of Contents:
- Can you use apple cider vinegar as a clarifying shampoo?
- Does apple cider vinegar remove product build-up in hair?
- The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar
- Is apple cider vinegar a good clarifying shampoo?
- Apple cider vinegar clarifying shampoo DIY
- How to use apple cider vinegar with your regular shampoo
- How to make an apple cider vinegar shampoo
- How to make an apple cider vinegar (ACV) wash
- The best apple cider vinegar clarifying shampoo
Can you use apple cider vinegar as a clarifying shampoo?
Yes! Apple cider vinegar is an excellent clarifying agent. Here are some interesting facts about ACV as a clarifying shampoo.
As a clarifying shampoo, ACV is safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair.

Apple cider vinegar is safe to use on the scalp and hair. However, it is acidic and can dry out your hair - which can eventually lead to breakage. So it must always be used in a diluted form.
Clarifying shampoo, including apple cider vinegar, is not a substitute for regular shampoo. It should be used no more than once a week to get rid of residue or product build-up.
Does apple cider vinegar remove product build up in hair?
The main culprits of product build-up are silicon-containing hair products. Excessive use of these and other hair products like hair sprays, gels, and leave-in conditioners can lead to their accumulation on the hair and scalp.
Other offenders are hard water and chlorine in swimming pools. Regular shampoos are designed to eliminate everyday grease and grime. They are not designed to eliminate product residue that has built up and settled down on your scalp and hair. That's where ACV can help tremendously.

The acidic nature of apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is acidic, making it an excellent product build-up fighter. It is rich in malic acid - an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). Malic acid is a gentle yet powerful exfoliator that cuts through all types of product build-up on the roots, hair, and scalp. The result is a squeaky clean scalp and revitalized and shiny hair.
Is apple cider vinegar a good clarifying shampoo?
Apple cider vinegar alone can be harmful, so adding it to shampoo is a great way to add ACV to your hair care routine. The combination of ACV and shampoo makes an excellent clarifying formula.
Apple cider vinegar shampoo can be used safely once a week if you wash your hair every alternate day. If you wash your hair only once a week or less, you can use ACV once a month.

Apple cider vinegar clarifying shampoo DIY
Add apple cider vinegar to your hair care routine in several ways. An ACV shampoo can be used instead of your regular shampoo, or you can make your own ACV clarifying shampoo. You can also use an ACV rinse after washing your hair with your regular shampoo.
How to use apple cider vinegar with your regular shampoo
Apple cider vinegar can also be used along with your regular shampoo for added clarifying benefits. Add two teaspoons of ACV to your regular shampoo and rinse your hair as you usually would. Follow up with your regular conditioner.
How to make an apple cider vinegar shampoo

Mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle, one to two cups of warm water (more water if you have longer or thicker hair), and a couple of drops of essential oils.
Shake the bottle well to combine all the ingredients. Spray this mixture generously over wet hair, and massage it with your hands into the scalp and hair.
Let this mixture sit in your hair for between three and five minutes. Rinse off thoroughly with warm water. Finally, follow this up with a conditioner - you can use your regular conditioner to condition your hair or an AC vinegar conditioner.
How to make an apple cider vinegar (ACV) wash
An ACV wash is fantastic for a quick rinse that leaves your hair and scalp free of product buildup. It must be used after you shampoo and rinse your hair.
Mix two to four tablespoonfuls of apple cider vinegar with 16 ounces of water to make an ACV wash. Wash your hair with this mixture. Let it stay on for about three minutes. Then, rinse your hair thoroughly. Follow this up with a conditioner.
The best apple cider vinegar clarifying shampoo
The best apple cider vinegar clarifying shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, color, PEG, silicone, and other harmful chemicals that leave a residue on the scalp and hair.
WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo is one such shampoo. Made of raw Himalayan apple cider vinegar, this gentle yet super-effective clarifying formula removes excess build-up and oil, restoring vitality and shine to your hair.

Sweet almond oil nourishes the scalp and hair and promotes strength and shine, while nettle leaf extract's antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties help soothe the scalp.
Apple cider vinegar is an excellent clarifying agent. There are many ways to add ACV into your hair care routine - as a DIY shampoo, along with your regular shampoo, or even as a rinse. The most convenient would be to invest in a safe and gentle formula.
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