Shiny hair without chemicals: apple cider vinegar rinse makes a comeback: here’s how to use it

People are quietly putting down the silicone serums and heading back to the kitchen cupboard. Apple cider vinegar is trending again, not as a salad dressing, but as a rinse that promises glassy shine without additives. Does a tangy splash really beat a shelf of bottles, or is it nostalgia wearing a wellness filter?

The first time I saw it, we were in a tiny London bathroom fogged with Sunday-night steam. A friend tipped a cloudy mix from an old jam jar over her hair, the air filling with a sweet-sour apple note that made me think of markets and school lunchboxes. The water ran clear, she squeezed, shook, and the dullness that clung to her ends just… wasn’t there anymore.

On the radiator, a tangle of products waited like an audience. She grinned, wrapped a towel, and we leaned into the mirror. Her hair caught the light with that calm, clean kind of shine you can’t fake with a filter. It felt oddly old-fashioned. It felt new. So what changed?

Why the apple cider vinegar rinse is back

Beauty has been on a long bender of layering: primer, oil, cream, serum, mist, repeat. Hair copied the script. Then came the fatigue. People started reading labels, counting silicones, questioning heavy conditioners that leave a film you can feel. The “skinification” of the scalp made pH a kitchen-table topic. A vinegar rinse taps into that mood: simple, cheap, unbranded. It’s the antiserum to a crowded shower shelf.

Scroll TikTok and you’ll find the proof in shiny heads, from curly girls in Peckham to marathon mums in Manchester. The hashtag for apple cider vinegar hair rinses racks up millions of views, and a quick look at Google Trends shows UK searches spiking every spring, right after holiday chlorine and winter hard water take their toll. One reader told me her rinse “saved” a fringe that kept separating and going flat by lunchtime. We’ve all had that moment when your hair looks tired no matter what you spray on it.

There’s a simple reason it can work: chemistry. Hair’s outer layer, the cuticle, sits like roof tiles. Alkaline shampoos and hard water can raise those tiles, roughening the surface, so light scatters and hair tangles. Apple cider vinegar is mildly acidic (usually pH 2–3). Diluted, it nudges the hair and scalp closer to their natural slightly acidic zone, helping the cuticle lie flatter. That smoother surface reflects light better. The acetic acid can also help lift away mineral build-up from hard water and residue from styling products. The shine isn’t sorcery. It’s tidier tiles.

How to use apple cider vinegar without wrecking your scalp

Start with the right mix. In a jug or bottle, combine 1–2 tablespoons of raw apple cider vinegar with 250–500 ml of cool water. For fine or straight hair, go lighter; for thick, curly, or oily roots, a touch stronger is fine. Shampoo as usual. Pour the mixture evenly over the scalp and lengths, massage gently for 30–60 seconds, and let it sit for up to two minutes. Rinse well with cool water. Comb with fingers, then squeeze dry with a towel. **Once a week is plenty.**

Tweak for your hair. Colour-treated hair often prefers a milder dilution, say 1 teaspoon per 250 ml, used every 10–14 days. Coily and curly textures can love the slip and clumping effect, but keep the soak short to avoid dryness. If your water is very hard, a weekly rinse can feel like a reset button. If your scalp runs sensitive or you have eczema or psoriasis, keep vinegar off broken skin. Soyons honnêtes: nobody does every self-care step, every day. If you forget a week, your hair will forgive you.

Most mistakes come from using too much, too often. **Do not apply neat vinegar to the scalp.** If it stings, flush with cool water and dilute further next time. A faint apple scent will fade as hair dries; if you’re scent-sensitive, rinse an extra time. If your hair feels squeaky and rough afterward, add a lightweight conditioner to the ends.

“Think of ACV as a clarifying finisher, not a cure-all. It smooths what’s there; it doesn’t rebuild damaged hair,” says London stylist Louise Hart.

• Quick ratio: 1 tbsp ACV to 300–400 ml water for most hair.
• Leave-on time: 1–2 minutes, then rinse.
• Frequency: weekly or every other week.
• Patch test first if your skin is reactive.
• Skip on days with scalp irritation or fresh colour.

What it can and can’t fix

Apple cider vinegar won’t mend split ends or turn bleach into silk. It can make what you have look better by reducing residue, balancing feel, and smoothing the cuticle. People often report less frizz, easier detangling, and a cleaner scalp sensation. The rinse may help with mild itch that comes from product build-up. It won’t treat fungal dandruff, and it won’t replace a nourishing conditioner if your hair is dry or porous. **Pair it with gentle, sulphate-free washing and a small amount of conditioner on mid-lengths and ends.**

If you’re into numbers, think of it like tuning pH rather than delivering proteins or oils. The acidification step adds shine the way lemon lifts limescale on a tap. The effect is visible yet humble. It also sits nicely in a cost-of-living reality: a bottle of ACV costs less than a single glossy serum and lasts months. Beauty that works and doesn’t boss you around feels oddly rare. Try it for three washes, keep notes in your phone, and share the results with a friend. The best routines still travel by word-of-mouth.

FAQ :

• Will ACV strip my hair colour?Mild dilutions used weekly are usually fine, but fresh dye jobs can be fragile. Wait a few washes and use a gentler mix.
• Can I add essential oils to the rinse?You can add a single drop if you’re not sensitive, but it’s optional. Fragrance-free keeps things simple for reactive scalps.
• Is white vinegar the same as apple cider vinegar?Both are acidic, yet ACV is a touch gentler and often better tolerated. If you only have white vinegar, dilute more and test first.
• What if my scalp tingles or feels tight?Rinse thoroughly, dilute further next time, and reduce frequency. Skip if you have broken skin or ongoing scalp conditions.
• Can I use it instead of conditioner?It can boost slip on some hair, but it isn’t a moisturiser. Use a small amount of conditioner on ends if you run dry.