The Perfect Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse For Your Hair

Are you looking to boost your hair's natural shine, softness, and overall health? Apple cider vinegar (ACV) hair rinses have become a go-to natural remedy for transforming dull, lifeless hair into vibrant, healthy locks. Whether you're battling product buildup, scalp irritation, or just want to enhance your hair's natural beauty, an ACV rinse could be the solution you've been searching for. Here’s why you need to try it:

• Restores pH Balance: Helps maintain a healthy scalp and hair by restoring the natural pH balance.
• Removes Buildup: Gently clears away residue from styling products, oils, and hard water.
• Adds Shine and Softness: Smooths the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and adding incredible shine.
• Supports Scalp Health: Naturally antibacterial and antifungal, it soothes an itchy, flaky scalp.
• Encourages Hair Growth: Improves blood circulation to hair follicles, potentially boosting hair growth.

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Which Apple Cider Vinegar to get?

Our favorite Apple Cider Vinegar for hair is the Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Concentrate by Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Company. It's why we chose it for our shop! It is especially formulated for use on hair with added organic ingredients and essential oils to optimize your hair growth.

• Horsetail has been used for centuries as a hair growth herb.
• Rosemary encourages strong, healthy hair, stimulates the scalp, increases manageability, helps soothe irritated scalp conditions, and adds shine and luster.
• Nettle stimulates the scalp and has a long-standing reputation for easing hair loss and promoting fuller, more radiant hair that is soft and shiny. 
• Burdock Root helps strengthen hair follicles, to promote healthy hair growth, helps soothe irritated scalp conditions, and adds body and luster.
• Basil stimulates hair follicles, increases scalp circulation which helps promote hair growth. 
• Lavender, a scalp soothing herb, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help with hair loss, shedding, and irritated scalp conditions.
• Ylang ylang stimulates the scalp to encourage hair growth, soothes the scalp, conditions hair, and helps balance scalp oil production.
• Thyme oil improves scalp circulation, encourages hair growth, and helps treat dandruff.

You can also use a plain store-bought ACV such as Bragg's, but we've had much better results with this special hair formula. You won't get the same added benefits from plain ACV.

When shopping for apple cider vinegar, make sure it is organic and includes "the mother." "The mother" of apple cider vinegar is a cloudy, cobweb-like substance made up of beneficial enzymes, proteins, and good bacteria that form during fermentation. It's beneficial because it contains probiotics and potent antioxidant effects.

How to use Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Just as important as which one you buy is how to use it. Most people don't know how to get the most out of their ACV hair rinse. Keep reading for our tried and tested tips!

Before starting, be sure to detangle your hair before you jump in the shower. This step is often overlooked, but it is much easier for your hair products to reach your entire hair strand when it is combed and tangle-free.

Finding the perfect concentrate to water ratio

The exact ratio of the concentrate to water may take some trial and error as everyone's hair is different, but we recommend starting with 1/2 to 1 1/2 tablespoons of ACV concentrate to 8 ounces (237 ml) of water. For long thick hair, use more. For short thin hair, use less. Typically a dry scalp likes less ACV and oily scalp likes more. Pick an amount between 1/2 to 4 tablespoons for every 8 ounces of water.

NEVER use undiluted Vinegar on your hair.

Since this hair rinse uses raw vinegar with natural "mother," please shake the ACV concentrate before use.

Apply the solution to your hair after shampooing

Use a squeeze bottle for best results, although you can use a plain measuring cup or spray bottle too. However, we find the squeeze bottle helps spread the solution more evenly and thoroughly.

Pour or spray through wet hair after shampooing. Massage into hair and scalp, paying special attention to ends.

Allow the solution to sit for a couple of minutes. This is usually a good time to soap up your body, shave or even meditate while you wait.

Rinse thoroughly

Do not rush through the rinse. You need to rinse thoroughly to remove the vinegar from your hair. This could take several minutes depending on your hair.

Use cool water for best results, which helps seal your hair's cuticle. Towel dry after. The vinegar scent will disappear as the hair dries if you rinsed enough.

To condition or not to condition

Some like to use a conditioner after an ACV rinse, while others believe it unnecessary. This will take some trial and error on your part as well. Try it both ways to see how your hair responds the best. Dry hair may need it, while those with oily or combination hair prefer to go without any additional conditioner. 

Check out our other hair products at Crunchy & Co. We only carry products we have personally tested for efficacy and screened for clean ingredients. We add new products all the time, so always check back for new arrivals. Join our email list from the bottom of any page for 10% off your first order.