Vinegar Soaks for Skin: Uses, Risks, and Safety
Updated: 7 days ago
Vinegar soaks have a limited role in skin care and are not a general home treatment for acne, eczema, sunburn, or fungal infections. Vinegar is acidic and can irritate or burn skin, even when diluted. Use a soak only when your treating clinician recommends it for a specific reason.
When might a clinician recommend vinegar soaks?
Some dermatology teams use a specified dilute white-vinegar solution as part of selected post-procedure wound-care plans. That is different from adding vinegar to a bath or treating an undiagnosed rash. Instructions for one wound or procedure should not be reused for another condition.
If your dermatologist has prescribed vinegar soaks, follow that clinician's written directions for the vinegar type and strength, exact measurements, contact time, frequency, and aftercare. Ask the office to clarify anything that is unclear before starting.
What does the evidence say about eczema?
A small study of 22 participants tested dilute apple cider vinegar soaks and found no sustained improvement in skin-barrier measurements. Most participants reported irritation. This does not support recommending vinegar soaks as a routine eczema treatment or claiming that they restore the skin barrier.
Why we do not give a universal dilution recipe
The earlier version of this article included inconsistent dilution instructions. Those instructions have been removed. There is no one recipe that is appropriate for every diagnosis, body area, or vinegar product. Do not use the previous mixture or assume that adding water makes vinegar safe for your skin.
Do not substitute cleaning vinegar, concentrated acetic acid, or another vinegar product for the exact product specified by your clinician. Do not add essential oils, herbs, or other ingredients to a prescribed solution.
When not to self-treat
Do not use vinegar as a routine facial exfoliant or as a substitute for diagnosed acne, eczema, sunburn, athlete's foot, or toenail-fungus care. The broad benefit claims in the earlier article were not adequately supported. Persistent or worsening symptoms need an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan.
Do not apply vinegar to an open wound, surgical site, or damaged skin unless your treating clinician has specifically included it in your care instructions. Keep it away from eyes and mucous membranes.
What if a soak causes irritation?
Stop the soak and rinse the area with water if it burns or stings. Do not simply shorten the soak and continue through discomfort. Contact your clinician for persistent irritation, blistering, or worsening pain. Seek prompt medical care for spreading redness, drainage, fever, or a wound that is worsening.
Frequently asked questions
Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar?
Do not assume that either is better for your condition. Use only the product your clinician specifies. Apple cider vinegar has not been shown to repair the skin barrier in the small eczema study described above.
Can vinegar replace my prescribed treatment?
No. A household vinegar soak should not replace prescribed skin treatment or delay evaluation of a rash, wound, or suspected infection.
Where can I get instructions for my skin condition?
Contact your treating dermatologist for a diagnosis-specific plan. Patients of Mid-County Dermatology can call or text 314-994-0200 with questions about their care instructions.
Sources
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This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have questions or concerns about your skin, talk with one of our dermatologists at Mid-County Dermatology.
Can you apply white vinegar to your face too, or should it only be used as a soak? I was told it that it can help with fine line and wrinkles, is that true?