Beat your acne with apple cider vinegar

Overcoming post-pill acne naturally. Quite a story, and yet, in hindsight, not such a complicated path. Discovering apple cider vinegar played a big part! It's very difficult to discover, after 25, that the skin quality you've always had isn't permanent. It's as if, while on the pill, your perfect complexion is living on borrowed time. When I decided to stop taking it, I had to learn how to manage the skin damage.

Post-pill acne: when apple cider vinegar changes everything

A personal experience

“I’d like to stop it too, but I’m scared.”

We all have good reasons for wanting to stop taking these synthetic hormones, but with the expected rebound effect, it's understandable to dread the switch. Personally, I stopped abruptly, a clean break. The first few months went smoothly, nothing to complain about. It wasn't until two or three years later that things got serious. Here's the story of that saga:

After unsuccessfully trying dermatologist prescriptions, over-the-counter creams, and medications, it was looking at my diet that truly helped me. The reason I explored this avenue was that I was becoming sensitive to every single food I ate. There was clearly a connection between my stomach and the condition of my skin. "What's active on the inside shows on the outside..." and all that. I decided to conduct my own experiment.

Step 1: Food and Digestion

I was vegan for seven years. However, during that time, and more recently, I allowed myself to eat cheese whenever I felt like it (morning, noon, and night). That was the first thing I stopped. I also started looking to see if certain foods were aggravating my acne. I discovered that I broke out particularly badly when I consumed: soy, cashews, tomatoes, coffee, and last but not least: gluten! I was devastated.

The role of apple cider vinegar in my acne

That's where apple cider vinegar came in. Admittedly, when I stopped eating those foods, my digestion improved a little. What I noticed most was that when I drank apple cider vinegar after eating them, I had absolutely no problem digesting them. And no unwanted breakouts either! So there's no need for extreme deprivation, no guilt to overcome post-pill acne naturally. That's the main reason why I've never stopped using apple cider vinegar daily.

Step 2: Minimalist cosmetic routine

With every new product I tried, I listened religiously to advice from everyone, from the pharmacist to the Sephora sales assistant (I was completely lost, and every word counted). When I started looking into apple cider vinegar, I stumbled upon mountains of articles praising its miracles for acne when used externally. It's important to know that apple cider vinegar has the same pH as healthy skin, and that unpasteurized vinegar contains beneficial bacteria necessary for a healthy skin flora and for fighting acne. Tim Ferriss's podcast (he's also done his own experiments), where he talked about his acne and the importance of bacteria for the face, kept coming back to me. It clicked (see our article on apple cider vinegar and its bacteria).

Routine adopted:

By scrubbing my face, I was removing everything, good bacteria and bad, so my skin felt unwell and produced sebum to defend itself, which also caused my breakouts… That's what I understood. I made myself a facial toner with water and apple cider vinegar and gave my skin time to do its job, knowing I was giving it what it needed. From there, I embarked on a minimalist bathroom routine.

As for soap, I kept it simple: Aleppo soap for removing makeup was all I needed. Regarding cream, a magical exchange with my boyfriend changed my perspective on life:

“But you don’t need cream! Do I put on cream?”
– If I don't put it on, it feels tight, we don't have the same skin.
"Well, don't put any more on, you'll see it will pull until it stops pulling."

Today my skin doesn't feel tight anymore. I only wash my face when I'm wearing makeup or in the shower. When I do wear makeup, to avoid the dryness caused by the not-so-clean foundation I use, I apply this mixture as a base: jojoba (or black cumin) oil + aloe vera. Perfect.

At the same time, I reduced the number of products I used. A gentle soap, a vegetable oil, a few simple and high-quality ingredients: my skin regained its balance over the weeks.
Today, I maintain this philosophy: listen to my skin, give it time, and value what comes from nature without expecting miracles.

What struck me most was the feeling of lightness, of no longer seeking to "correct", but to accompany.

I admit it's sometimes difficult to challenge the idea that women absolutely must wear cream and follow a specific skincare routine. Personally, giving vinegar and my skin's natural regeneration processes a chance was the best idea I had to get rid of my acne.

The little indulgence I've kept is to do my apple cider vinegar + clay mask 3 times a week. It brightens and makes my skin very soft, I love it (that's also why it's sold ;-).

Step 3: Maintain in the long term

Today I know my skin. Every day I refine my understanding of what it likes and doesn't like. I know that my apple cider vinegar, which came into my life three years ago, will never leave me, whether it's in my stomach or on my face. I know that during my period there will be one or two new little friends for a few days and a bit more ridge on my forehead, but that's okay. My skin is alive and it's clear enough for me. I don't forbid myself anything anymore; I know the situation can be managed. I just avoid putting my body through unnecessary stress.

In terms of cosmetics, I've become immune to the "clear skin" hype touted by cosmetics companies. I still place a lot of faith in plant-based oils and small beauty brands with clean formulas, but I use them very sparingly.

And now ?

If we include the whole process before I found my current routine? 2 years.

If we count from the moment I asked myself the right questions, started taking my apple cider vinegar, and changed my diet? Two days. The effects on my digestion were immediate, and truly, in three weeks, I had regained skin that I was genuinely happy with.

I don't claim to have a miracle cure or a universal solution here. However, after two years of unsuccessful trials, research, and reading before finally finding my routine, I think I've picked up a few things. So, if I can save time for those who come across this on how to naturally overcome post-pill acne, that's all that matters. I firmly believe that 90% of our skin's poor condition stems from internal imbalances, and that the benefits of collagen can also contribute, although everyone is different.

Today this subject fascinates me, and I'm almost thanking my acne for leading me to discover apple cider vinegar and undertake this whole exploration. I said almost…

Balanced skin, a simple routine, and an authentic ingredient: that's what apple cider vinegar has taught me.
No promises, no miracles — just a more natural relationship with yourself and your skin.

*To date, there are no published French scientific studies on the benefits of apple cider vinegar. To address this lack of information, Archie has formed a Scientific Committee dedicated to providing the greatest possible transparency regarding the benefits of apple cider vinegar.