Have you ever been curious about what soaking your feet—or your scalp—in apple cider vinegar might do? While this article focuses specifically on its potential scalp effects, the broader interest in apple cider vinegar (ACV) and skin wellness makes it a popular home remedy topic. Let’s take a closer look at what’s currently understood about its use, especially in relation to scalp health—always with a focus on the importance of evidence-based science.

The Claims Around ACV and Scalp Care

While ACV has a growing fanbase, it’s important to know up front: “There is no clinical evidence supporting ACV as a reliable dandruff treatment.” Still, many people swear by it and share positive results. Reported benefits include:

Helping balance the scalp’s natural pH: A balanced pH may promote a healthier environment for your scalp.
Supporting natural exfoliation of dead skin: Some users say ACV helps loosen and remove flaky skin.
Possibly limiting fungal overgrowth: Fungi are sometimes linked to scalp conditions, and some believe ACV may reduce their presence.

That said, these uses are mostly anecdotal, and there’s currently a lack of definitive research backing them up.

What the Research Tells Us

A 2022 review suggested that ACV may provide some relief for dry scalp—though that’s not the same as dandruff. While they may look similar, they stem from different causes. “It remains unclear whether ACV is effective for dandruff, dry scalp, or both.”