It’s the kind of tip you might see trending on TikTok or buried in a DIY beauty blog: pour a little apple cider vinegar on your scalp, and voilà —your dandruff problem vanishes.
But does this centuries-old home remedy actually deliver, or is it just another overhyped natural hack? While social media brims with glowing testimonials, the truth about ACV’s dandruff-fighting powers may not be as convincing as you think.
Plenty of people claim apple cider vinegar helps tame flakes, but solid scientific proof is scarce. Even so, there are anecdotal reports of ACV offering certain scalp benefits, such as:
Helping restore the scalp’s natural pH balance
Encouraging the shedding of dead skin cells
Slowing the growth of certain fungi on hair and skin
Still, none of these potential perks are definitively confirmed by research. If you’re curious about ACV’s possible role in scalp care, here’s what the science currently says.
The Science Behind ACV and Dandruff
A 2022 review noted that ACV may help relieve dry scalp—something often mistaken for dandruff. However, the root causes of the two issues differ, so it’s unclear if ACV works for both, or for either consistently.
Apple cider vinegar is thought to have antibacterial and antifungal qualities, which could theoretically support skin health. Some types of dandruff are linked to bacteria like Staphylococcus, while others overlap with fungal conditions.
Lab studies show that undiluted ACV can strongly inhibit some microbes. But when diluted to about 25%, it’s less effective against yeast such as Candida than it is against certain bacteria. In other words, ACV may work in specific cases but isn’t a guaranteed solution for all scalp problems.
The takeaway? While ACV might offer limited benefits, there’s no solid scientific validation for its use as a dandruff cure. More research is needed to understand both its potential effectiveness and its safety on skin.
How to Use ACV on the Scalp Safely
If you’re thinking about giving apple cider vinegar a try, one method suggested in the 2022 review for dry scalp relief is:
Mix two parts ACV with one part water.
Apply the diluted mixture directly to the scalp.
Leave it on for roughly 15 minutes.
Rinse well with warm water.
Repeat up to twice a week, avoiding contact with eyes.
Always do a patch test first to check for reactions like redness, stinging, or itching. If irritation occurs, stop immediately. Ideally, consult a dermatologist before adding ACV to your scalp routine.
Conclusion
Apple cider vinegar may be a popular natural remedy for dandruff, but the scientific evidence just isn’t there yet. Its potential antimicrobial and pH-balancing properties might help in some cases—particularly with dry scalp—but results are far from guaranteed.
And because side effects are possible, caution is key. If persistent dandruff is an issue, professional guidance is still your best first step, no matter how appealing the latest natural trend sounds.