Can washing the face with white vinegar remove melasma?

Washing the face with white vinegar is not an effective method for removing melasma.

Melasma, also known as chloasma or liver spots, is primarily caused by prolonged exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. This exposure causes melanocytes (pigment-producing cells) in the skin to become overactive, leading to excessive melanin production and deposition on the skin surface, resulting in hyperpigmentation. The main component of white vinegar is acetic acid, which has mild antibacterial, exfoliating, and skin-lightening properties. The acetic acid in white vinegar can mildly remove dead skin cells on the skin surface and promote the growth of new cells, thereby improving uneven skin tone and mild pigmentation to some extent. However, melasma develops deep within the skin and is closely related to the heightened activity of melanocytes. The cleansing effect of white vinegar only reaches the skin surface and has very limited effectiveness on deep, persistent melasma.

Moreover, long-term use of high-concentration white vinegar for facial cleansing may damage the skin's barrier function, making the skin more sensitive and fragile. If aiming to improve melasma through natural methods, it is recommended to adopt gentler and scientifically proven approaches, along with providing necessary hydration and skin repair. In daily life, attention should be paid to sun protection, avoiding direct UV exposure, to reduce the development of melasma.