Diluted apple cider vinegar is a popular home remedy for sunburns. However, it is acidic, and high concentrations may cause a burning sensation, so certain application methods are recommended.

Grated potato, buttermilk, and peppermint are all folk remedies for the discomfort caused by sunburn. Also commonly on this list is apple cider vinegar.

Though dabbing an acidic substance on skin inflamed by too much sun seems counterintuitive, many people swear by this remedy.

Suntans are often viewed as a sign of beauty and vitality. In reality, though, that coppery tan represents damage to the genetic matter in the cells of your skin. Over time, the damage can lead to skin cancer.

Although apple cider vinegar is a popular sunburn remedy in some circles, there is a lack of evidence supporting its use for this purpose. In addition, applying it to sunburned skin may cause irritation or chemical burns.

Before trying apple cider vinegar on a sunburn, talk with a doctor or healthcare professional.

How it’s made

Apple cider vinegar is made from the juice that remains after apples are crushed. The juiced is fermented with yeast and converted to ethanol. Next, it’s fermented with bacteria to create acetic acid and sharp, tangy vinegar. The amount of acetic acid in apple cider vinegars varies from 1 to 11 percent.

There are several ways to use apple cider vinegar to treat a sunburn. Although most methods recommend diluting it before applying it to the skin, no reliable sources provide a specific vinegar-to-water ratio.

Make sure the vinegar is well diluted, as high concentrations can cause a burning sensation.

Some methods you can try include:

  • Filling a spray bottle with vinegar and water to spray on sunburned skin.
  • Dipping a washcloth in vinegar, wringing the cloth out, and patting it gently on the affected areas.
  • Taking a cool bath with diluted apple cider vinegar.

When you spend time in the sun, your body steps up its production of melanin to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. Melanin is the pigment that gives color to your skin, hair, and eyes.

However, your skin will eventually reach a point where the melanin can’t be produced quickly enough. This causes damage to the genetic material in your skin.

In response, healthy cells promote inflammation to get rid of the damaged skin cells. This is called the UV stress response. Your body generates new replacement cells, which can lead to skin cancer.

How quickly you get a sunburn depends on a number of factors, including your skin tone and the time of day. If you are very fair, you can get burned after just 15 minutes of exposure to midday sunshine.

About three or four hours after exposure to the sun, the blood vessels in your skin dilate, causing the redness associated with sunburn.

The full effect of your sunburn may not be seen for more than 24 hours. Sunburns typically peak 24 to 36 hours after exposure and heal within three to five days.

Apple cider is touted as a hair clarifier, facial toner, wart reducer, and acne treatment. It has some antimicrobial benefits. But undiluted apple cider vinegar has been known to cause its own burns, so make sure it’s properly diluted.

In 2012, there was one reported case of an eight-year-old boy experiencing chemical burns after apple cider vinegar was applied to an infected area on his leg.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises taming a fiery sunburn with cool tap water, either using compresses or by bathing. They also recommend using a moisturizer, aloe vera gel or liquid, or hydrocortisone cream.

The skin cancer culprit
  • Ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes the majority of cases of skin cancer, according the American Cancer Society.
  • The best way to steer clear of sunburn is to avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the ultraviolet rays are most dangerous.
  • Did you get sunburned as a child? Skin cancer as an adult can be caused by sunburns you got years ago.