Apple cider vinegar can be used as a home remedy for a variety of conditions. Many people with eczema try out home remedies like apple cider vinegar, but there’s no definitive proof that it’s effective.

If you have eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, you may experience dry, discolored, itchy skin that’s easily irritated. There’s no cure for eczema, so the goal of treatment is to ease uncomfortable symptoms.

Healthy skin is protected by an acidic barrier. If you have eczema, your skin pH levels are elevated, and this barrier doesn’t function properly. Without it, moisture escapes and irritants are allowed in. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is acidic, so applying it to the skin may help restore your skin’s natural pH balance.

Anything below a pH of 7.0 is acidic, and anything above is alkaline. Healthy skin has a natural pH level under 5.0. People with eczema typically have higher pH levels than people without.

Researchers believe that pH levels play a role in the breakdown of the skin’s protective barrier. Acidity levels are also related to a breakdown in the skin’s microbiota (the organisms in your microbiome), which helps protect you from bad bacteria.

Studies show that washing the skin with soaps, shampoos, and other cosmetic products significantly raises the skin’s pH level. Even tap water can decrease skin’s acidity. This helps explain why eczema is often triggered by soaps.

According to older research, much of it involving rats or mice as subjects, ACV (a mild acid) may be able to alter your pH level, at least temporarily. ACV also has antimicrobial properties, which means it could be used instead of soap in some cases.

However, two more recent studies in 2019 and 2021 comparing people with and without eczema who underwent treatments with diluted ACV showed that the solutions used had no long-term effects on the condition, while also frequently causing side effects like skin irritation.

The researchers of both studies noted that while ACV use did alter the skin’s pH levels, it was not enough to alter the course of eczema. They determined there’s too little evidence that it can be effective in people, and they said that more research was necessary.

There are several options for using ACV to help treat your eczema. Before you try any of these methods, speak with a doctor to determine whether they’re safe for you or whether the risks outweigh any potential benefits.

ACV bath

Adding ACV to a warm bath may help restore your skin’s natural acidity.

Add 2 cups of ACV to a warm (not hot) bath. Soak for 15 to 20 minutes and then rinse with cool water. Follow with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.

Because the ACV is highly diluted, it’s less likely to irritate the skin.

ACV moisturizer

This may allow you to moisturize while restoring your skin’s pH balance. Returning acidity to the skin may help your skin retain that moisture longer.

Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with 1/4 cup of virgin coconut oil. Older studies show that coconut oil can reduce inflammation and soothe painful skin.

ACV facial toner

ACV has antibacterial properties that may allow it to kill staph bacteria on the skin, which reduces your chance of infection. As a toner, ACV may help to clean the skin while reducing inflammation.

Apply ACV to a cotton ball and wipe it around your face using a circular motion. Follow with a gentle moisturizer.

ACV hair oil

ACV has antifungal properties that may allow it to fight off a dandruff-causing fungus called Malassezia. Eczema and Malassezia often coexist.

Make a hair oil by mixing ACV with sunflower oil. Studies show that sunflower oil helps restore the skin’s protective barrier and improve moisture retention.

Add 1 tablespoon of ACV to 1/4 cup of sunflower oil. Apply liberally to your scalp immediately following a shower.

ACV wet wrap

For intense eczema flare-ups, you can add ACV to a wet wrap.

You’ll need gauze, paper towel, or clean cotton fabric. Mix a solution with 1 cup warm water and 1 tablespoon ACV. Wet the fabric and apply it to severely irritated areas. Then cover the dressing in a dry fabric or plastic wrap.

Wear your wet wrap for at least 3 hours. You can also keep it on overnight. The dampness will add moisture to your skin while the ACV may destroy harmful bacteria.

The studies from 2019 and 2021 mentioned above noted that using ACV in high amounts can cause side effects like skin irritation and redness. Lowering the amount of ACV in the solution you use may diminish these side effects. However, you should still speak with a doctor before trying ACV for your eczema.

Also, consult with your child’s doctor first if you’re considering trying this home remedy on your child or baby.

Because eczema can be triggered by foreign substances, a doctor may suggest that you begin by applying ACV only to a small patch of your skin and waiting a few days to see whether you have an adverse reaction. If ACV causes irritation, discontinue use.

Eczema is a chronic condition that can flare up when you encounter a trigger. Treating eczema often involves a multipronged approach. If your symptoms aren’t improving, make an appointment with a dermatologist, a doctor specializing in the care of skin.

A doctor will be able to give you advice on other treatment options, such as prescription ointments. A combination of approaches may be the best treatment option.

Proven treatments for eczema often include a combination of the following:

  • over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines to relieve itching
  • topical or oral corticosteroids to relieve itching and scaling
  • antibiotics (if you have an infection)
  • immunosuppressant drugs
  • phototherapy