Apple Cider Vinegar for Sunburn

5 star (13) 
  87%
1 star (2) 
  13%

Cheri (GA) on 07/08/2023:
5 out of 5 stars

Worked amazingly well! My son came home with his face feeling like it was on fire from being out on the lake all day without sunscreen. He was panicking because of how intense the pain was. I soaked paper towels in 1/2 water & 1/2 ACV mix and applied to his face (obviously keeping the vinegar away from his eyes). We only soaked for 15 minutes and he said his pain went from a 10/10 to a 2/10. Minutes later and he said the pain just keeps gradually decreasing. This was a godsend!!
REPLY   2      

Marsh (Colo) on 05/18/2023:
5 out of 5 stars

In 1977 a group of friends went to Mexico. Thinking I wouldn't burn in my youthful 'wisdom' haha. Well, I burned so badly that bending to sit felt like my knees would burst, even the hair on my legs growing out felt like needle pricks. At dinner, the waiter took me to the kitchen to show the cook. He gave me a bottle of white vinegar and told me to put it in a tub of cool water and soak for a long time. The next day, the swelling was gone as was the heat from the burn. My husband was on a lake 3 years ago, blisters started forming on his face. Put about 1/2 cup ACV in a bowl of iced water, soaked a washcloth, applied it, then aloe, and back and forth - next day no burn. After getting the garden ready yesterday and not wanting to put suntan lotion on because my skin was dusty, I'm paying for it now. The ACV took out the burn but it's itching like crazy. Back to the ACV and aloe. Both need to be applied for quite some time in order for it to work. The skin needs to absorb the liquid, don't wring the cloth out. Be sloppy with it in order for it to work.
REPLY   7      

Jill (Chicago) on 07/07/2014:
1 out of 5 stars

I got a sunburn over the weekend. I always break out when I'm in the sun but it was only about a half hour so I didn't think it would affect me like that. A day later it started itching like crazy. I tried ACV, plain white vinegar, and aloe. None of them helped at all. I had to break down and buy some hydrocortisone. I've been slathering it on. Maybe the natural products I tried aren't meant to treat an allergic reaction to the sun.
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Jordanna (Tel Aviv, Israel) on 04/21/2013:
1 out of 5 stars

I'm a big fan of apple cider vinegar, so when I saw it listed as a cure for sunburn, I wanted to try it. I used it only on the right side of my body, and left the left side untouched so I could see if it did anything. The ACV made no difference.
REPLY   1      

Dave (Minneapolis, Mn) on 10/25/2012:
5 out of 5 stars

After reading these posts on Apple Cider Vinegar as a remedy for sunburn, I ran downstairs to apply it to mine. I burned pretty bad after foolishly spending 8 minutes in a tanning bed (having light skin & not tanned or had much sun exposure in months), forgetting to bring with me to the tanning salon my usual jar of Virgin Coconut Oil (which I usually lather on before tanning). I've looked like a lobster since and it's painful to even wear clothes.

I mixed the ACV 1/2 & 1/2 with water, soaked a smooth, thin rag in it, and wrapped it over my sunburn. Instant relief! ... and I've been using aloe vera gel & coconut oil for days (with some success, but not like this).

I do smell like a pickle & generally don't prefer the ACV smell, but having this much relief makes it easy to overlook. I'm grateful that a simple google search for sunburn relief led me here. :)

REPLY   4      

L. Farmer (Peoria, Az) on 07/13/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

I managed to fry my thighs despite my liberal use of sunscreen yesterday. I remember hearing about this site, so decided to look for sunburn remedies. I am generally fairly skeptical of these sorts of things, but decided the only risk involved in me trying the ACV remedy for a sunburn was me smelling like a pickle. So, I gave it a shot. I'm happy to report that although it wasn't a 100% cure, it sure took away most of the red and most of the pain. I was quite amazed. I have survived MULTIPLE sunburns in my lifetime, but have never found such quick relief! I'm a believer! Long live ACV!
REPLY   1      

Tiffany (Honolulu, Hi) on 06/26/2011:
5 out of 5 stars

ACV is absolutely amazing, my younger sister had an absolutely horrific sunburn after a day out with her friends family, blistered on the entire upper half of her body, me and mother have never felt so awful for her. We tried aloe, lidocaine, cold towels, and when we saw this site we had to try it. She said she felt so much better she can actually sleep now. I thank you guys so much for the help! Instantly relieved with one light coat. <3
REPLY   2      

Raul (Dallas, Texas) on 06/13/2009:
5 out of 5 stars

I just got a horrible sunburn from washing cars to get money to go to summer camp so i looked up some cures and it took me to this site. Since ACV is the most popular one i decided to try it and it worked perfectly i started feeling relief instantly. Although i do smell like a pickle. i would also recommend trying the coconut oil.
REPLY   1      



Elaine (Coventry, Rhode Island) on 08/25/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

I have been using apple cider vinegar to treat sunburns since I was a kid. My grandmother was a nurse and used this method to no avail. I use it full strength on a sponge or several cotton balls. When it dries you can rub on some aloe gel so you don't smell like a pickle! LOL Amazing the money you can save with home remedies! (Not to mention how things like this really impress the kids!)
REPLY   2      

Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 08/25/2008:
5 out of 5 stars

The ACV does work well for decreasing the misery of sunburn. My daughter doesn't like it because she said it keeps you from tanning while working it's good. Personally, I prefer to use anything that will prevent that miserable blistering and peeling, and do without any tan.
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