Vinegar (Acetum)
A mild fermented acid used in small amounts to keep formulas such as Lotion P50 at a low, skin-friendly pH.
acetum, vinegar, apple cider vinegar, acetic acid
Blemish-prone skin · Texture & large pores
What it does
Vinegar, listed as “Vinegar (Acetum)” on ingredient labels, is a dilute solution of acetic acid made by fermenting fruit, grain or wine; apple cider vinegar is the version made from fermented apple juice. In skincare it is used in small amounts as a mild acid: it helps keep a formula at a low, skin-friendly pH and adds a clarifying, toning quality. You’ll find it in Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 range and in Masque Vivant.
How it works
Vinegar’s acidity comes mainly from acetic acid, with small amounts of other fruit acids in apple cider vinegar. Within a well-formulated lotion it helps support the skin’s naturally acidic surface and has a mildly astringent, clarifying effect. It is not an exfoliant in its own right: the resurfacing work in products such as Lotion P50 is done by their alpha, beta and poly hydroxy acids, with vinegar playing a supporting role.
MG says
Vinegar is one of the many ingredients in Biologique Recherche Lotion P50, my number one product and a true facial in a bottle. If you’re new to P50, start every second night, pressing it on with a cotton round dampened with water first to dilute it.
Cautions
Never apply neat household vinegar, including apple cider vinegar, to your skin: undiluted, it can irritate and even burn. Formulas that combine vinegar with exfoliating acids can tingle and make skin more sensitive to the sun, so wear a broad-spectrum SPF daily, and for a week after you stop using them.
