Can washing your face with white vinegar remove spots and whiten skin?

Jan 25, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, washing the face with white vinegar can help fade dark spots and whiten the skin to some extent, but prolonged use of white vinegar on the face should be avoided. The acetic acid in white vinegar is acidic and can help exfoliate dead skin cells, improve skin tone, and has certain antibacterial and sebum-regulating properties. Appropriate use of white vinegar for facial cleansing may help improve uneven skin tone, thereby achieving a skin brightening and spot-fading effect.

Generally speaking, washing your face with white vinegar can help remove spots and whiten the skin to some extent, but long-term use of white vinegar on the face should be avoided. The specific analysis is as follows:

The acetic acid component in white vinegar is somewhat acidic and can soften keratin, improve skin tone, and has certain antibacterial and sebum-regulating effects. Using white vinegar appropriately for facial cleansing may help improve uneven skin tone, thereby achieving a spot-removing and whitening effect.

Due to the strong acidity of white vinegar, direct application may irritate and damage the skin, especially for sensitive skin, which is more prone to allergic reactions and compromised skin barrier. Long-term use may also disrupt the skin's acid-base balance, causing dryness and increased sensitivity. Therefore, when using white vinegar to wash your face, avoid prolonged usage and do not use highly concentrated white vinegar.

If you have concerns regarding spot removal and skin whitening, it is recommended to choose skincare products containing professionally formulated whitening ingredients and to use them under a doctor's guidance. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet, including foods rich in vitamin C and vitamin E such as cabbage and carrots, can also help with skin whitening and spot removal.