In the dry winter months, I like to use an apple cider vinegar hair rinse (also known as ACV hair rinse) to not only combat itchiness from dry skin but also promote shine, brightness, and even the strength of my hair. It’s one of those easy “secret” DIY beauty tips that many are starting to catch on to—so much so that it’s now common to see bottled apple cider vinegar rinse for hair in many beauty stores.

But there’s no need to spend anywhere from $20 to $40 on a bottle of ACV hair rinse when you can make your own at home for almost no money and it works just as well—and perhaps even better with a couple of my favorite simple additions. Are you ready to get my five-ingredient ACV hair rinse and discover what makes this recipe different from the others?

Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Your Hair?

If you’ve been on the fence about using apple cider vinegar for hair, it may be because you’re unsure about the apple cider vinegar for hair side effects. Fortunately, using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse is relatively safe because apple cider vinegar is known to contain beneficial bacteria known as “the Mother,” which can help to promote a healthy scalp by fighting both bacteria and even the yeast known to cause dandruff! Just make sure to look for “the Mother” on the label to ensure you’re getting the apple cider vinegar you need. Keep reading to learn more about how using a homemade apple cider vinegar hair rinse benefits your hair.

How Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse Benefits Your Hair

Here are a few specific ways using an ACV hair rinse can benefit your hair.

1. Helps balance scalp pH 

For optimal health, it’s important to maintain a balanced pH level in your body—meaning you don’t want to have too high or too low acid levels. The same is true for your scalp, as you ideally want a slightly acidic scalp (around 5 to 5.5), which helps to keep bacteria and fungi at bay. If your pH level is off, it can leave you at risk for everything from dry, itchy scalp to dandruff and even limp, straggly hair. So, if you’ve been wondering if there’s an apple cider vinegar hair rinse recipe for dandruff, you’ll be happy to learn that virtually any ACV hair rinse will do the job!

Using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse regularly can help to prevent these issues and more, as vinegar has been shown to contain properties known to fight both bacteria and fungi. But that’s not all: Apple cider vinegar is also known to help cool inflammation, which means it can help to calm and soothe your scalp while also removing dead skin and product buildup, both of which are known to cause irritation and negatively impact your scalp’s pH balance.

2. Boosts shine and brightness

No one wants dull, lifeless hair, and that’s why using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse for colored hair could be a great option to help maintain the brightness you have when you leave the salon. Because using an apple cider vinegar rinse for hair can actually help to close the cuticles on your hair, you’ll likely see shinier, smoother hair in addition to vibrant color when you look in the mirror. 

3. May reduce hair loss

Here is another major benefit of using apple cider vinegar for hair health: Because it’s known to both promote your scalp’s pH balance and close the cuticle (thus locking in your hair’s moisture), applying an apple cider vinegar hair rinse can not only help to reduce hair loss but also promote hair growth! The truth is that your everyday hair products such as your shampoo, conditioner, or post-shower styling products can impact your pH levels and even cause toxic buildup that can clog your pores and prevent hair growth.

Using a homemade apple cider vinegar hair rinse regularly can help to prevent these effects by keeping your scalp clean, balanced, and primed for hair regrowth.

4. Fights frizz

Finally, if you have curly hair, you may be wondering if using an apple cider vinegar hair rinse on curly hair will help to reduce frizz. The answer is a resounding yes! Here’s how it works: When your hair is too alkaline (meaning the acidity is too low), your hair becomes dry and prone to both frizz and even breakage. 

Because apple cider vinegar contains acid, it can help to hydrate your hair, thus reducing frizz. 

How to Make a Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

To make your homemade apple cider vinegar hair rinse, simply combine one to four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a cup of water, and three to five drops each of cinnamon, bergamot, and rosemary essential oils in a spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Note that if you have a sensitive scalp, start with one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and work your way up to four tablespoons over time.

To use the apple cider vinegar hair rinse, begin by saturating your roots and work the solution down to the end of your hair. Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse your hair clean. Style as you normally would.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Still have some lingering questions about how to use apple cider vinegar on hair? Check out the answers to these FAQs below!

Q: How long should you leave apple cider vinegar rinse in hair?

A: Let the ACV hair rinse sit in your hair for about five minutes and then rinse with cool water.

Q: Do you shampoo after apple cider vinegar rinse?

A: No, you shampoo and condition before using the apple cider vinegar hair rinse.

Q: How often should you rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar?

A: Limit using your apple cider vinegar hair rinse to once a week.

Q: Can you use conditioner after apple cider vinegar rinse?

A: You can use a leave-in conditioner on the lower half of your hair after rinsing out the apple cider vinegar hair rinse, but avoid placing condition on your roots immediately after use.

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse

Makes: about 1 cup

Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

1-4 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar

1 cup water

3-5 drops cinnamon essential oil

3-5 drops bergamot essential oil

3-5 drops rosemary essential oil

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well to combine.

2. Begin saturating the roots of your hair and work the rinse down to the ends. Let sit for 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water.