Having gorgeous locks starts with deeply cleansing your scalp and hair of build-up, and restoring its PH balance so your hair can grow strong and healthy. There are tons of products on the market that promise thick, beautiful hair, and while there’s no magical hair product that can give you thick, flowing mermaid locks, there’s a trending ingredient that will provide you with the best breeding ground for healthy, strong hair. You might have already spotted Apple Cider Vinegar on your newsfeed, but even though it’s now trending, it’s far from new. In fact, it’s been around for thousands of years. Apple cider vinegar boasts a number of health benefits that include supporting healthy digestion, detoxification, aiding in weight loss, and -- when used topically -- it can give you truly glorious hair.

Making your own apple cider vinegar rinse is easy. You just mix equal parts water and apple cider vinegar, shake it up in an empty shampoo bottle, and it’s ready for use! To use it, wet your hair, apply the vinegar + water mixture to your head and hair and massage it into your scalp (careful not to get it in your eyes, it can sting!), leave on for 10 minutes, rinse and condition. You’ll instantly feel the clarifying benefits of this rinse, it removes buildup and clarifies your scalp, restoring the PH balance and leaving it flake-free! Here’s how apple cider vinegar can help you get great hair, naturally:

1. It balances the pH levels of your hair & scalp

Every liquid substance on Earth has a pH measurement. Most substances are either acidic, like vinegar, or basic, like bleach. This applies to human beings as well. Ideally, we should maintain a pH balance of about 5 on our skin, hair, and scalp, this acidic pH level will work to protect us from harmful bacteria. If your pH is not at optimal levels, you might experience dandruff, and other bacteria or fungus, which can cause hair loss due to clogged hair follicles. If you’re dealing with dandruff, psoriasis of the scalp, flakiness or dry scalp, the acidity found in apple cider vinegar can aid in balancing your hair’s natural pH levels.

2. It deep cleans your hair and scalp

Constant use of hairspray, dry shampoo, texturizing products, hair oils, and other leave-in products can lead it to build-up on your hair and scalp. When build-up clogs your hair follicles, it can prevent new strands from growing. It can also cause your existing hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. An apple cider vinegar rinse will gently clarify your scalp and hair, getting rid of grime and residue from hair products, leaving you with a thoroughly clean scalp and shiny, bouncy hair.

3. It eliminates itchiness and viruses

Apple cider vinegar is an excellent, non-drying disinfectant. It eliminates the bacteria that may lead to hair problems and scalp issues by creating a hostile, acidic environment. Eliminating scalp bacteria means less itchy, dry scalp, and a flake free head of hair! Apple cider vinegar is also rich in vitamins and minerals, which can soothe your scalp, and eliminate annoying bacteria without stripping moisture or overdrying your hair.

4. It encourages hair growth

Because clogged hair follicles and bacteria can prevent healthy hair growth (see #1), apple cider vinegar can boost hair growth by clarifying your scalp, eliminating damaging bacteria, and fortifying your existing hair strands with vitamins and minerals that support strong and healthy hair.

5. It makes your hair super shiny, bouncy, and soft

A vinegar rinse cleanses product buildup, oil, and dirt from each strand of your hair, leaving your locks and scalp balanced, smooth, and frizz-free. A quick rinse with ACV can greatly increase manageability, and volume, giving you a bouncy, glossy mane. Apple cider vinegar is also a natural detangler that leaves you with smooth, soft, hair that is free from tangles.

You only need to rinse your hair with Apple Cider Vinegar once to know it actually does work, but if you’re not keen on the potent scent of vinegar, you can opt for a shampoo made from ACV instead. A good Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo + Conditioner will also be infused with nourishing oils, so you’ll get clarifying, pH balancing benefits plus deep conditioning.