Skin tags are one of those annoying problems that can make you feel self-conscious if left untreated. They usually appear on areas of the skin where there is a lot of friction, such as underarms and neck folds. They’re caused by damaged skin cells that have been shed and then become attached to your body hair – yikes!
A doctor or dermatologist can remove a skin tag easily enough with a small cutting tool, but many people want a less invasive way to get rid of them. Luckily for you, we’ve found 14 effective remedies from around the web so you can take care of those ugly tags in your own home. Read through these natural ways to remove skin tags before trying any new remedy on yourself though – safety first, people!

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a magical substance that has been used for hundreds of years to get rid of skin problems, but did you know it gets rid of skin tags too? ACV contains enzymes that can help dissolve the glue holding your tag in place while killing off bacteria. This will reduce the appearance and halt the growth of your skin tags over time, without having to resort to more invasive ways to remove them.
All you need is some ACV and cotton balls – soak the cotton balls in apple cider vinegar then apply directly onto your skin tag(s). Repeat this twice daily until they are gone, making sure to dab the area with a clean cloth afterward to prevent irritation. You should see results within a few weeks of doing this.

2. Castor Oil And Honey / Banana Peel

You may have heard of the popular banana peel theory – the idea that if you put a piece of banana on your skin tag and leave it overnight, it will turn black and fall off like magic. It’s not entirely true but there is some truth to this remedy! The medical term for skin tags is ‘acrochordon, which roughly translates as ‘half-swallowed nail’. They’re caused by skin rubbing against itself causing small tears which then become infected with bacteria (gross). Applying a mixture like this can help reduce your tags as well as moisturize dry, flaky skin.

3. Castor Oil And Lemon Juice

A mixture of castor oil, lemon juice, and baking soda will also help to reduce skin tags. You can use an empty spray bottle to mix this up yourself so you always have it at the ready – combine 3 tbsp of baking soda, 4 tbsp each of water, and lemon juice, then mix in 1/4 cup of castor oil. Shake really well before spritzing onto your skin tags twice a day, then leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing off completely. The smell isn’t too pleasant but it’s worth the results!

4. Onion / Garlic And Castor Oil

Garlic has wound healing properties which makes it ideal for the fast removal of unsightly skin tags, while the onion is an antiseptic and helps to prevent infection. This remedy is a little more intense so only do it once a day, but it will definitely get rid of your tags in no time.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar And Castor Oil

Another great mixture for removing unsightly skin tags from the comfort of your own home involves apple cider vinegar again while castor oil helps to boost the rate of absorption and circulation, which can help tags disappear faster – you can use this twice daily over a couple of weeks to reduce them significantly. Combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and castor oil, then dab on skin tags and leave on overnight (if possible). Don’t worry about the smell as this should fade quickly after application!

6. Sugar And Lemon Juice / Tea Tree Oil

Sugar is an effective natural exfoliant that can help remove dead skin cells while lemon juice has antibacterial properties which will help to reduce your skin tags over time. Adding some tea tree oil to the mix will help with stubborn tags which refuse to go quietly, thanks to its antiseptic properties.

7. Cut A Slice Of Potato And Apply

Who knew that common potato could help you remove those unsightly skin tags? This is another really simple but effective method that requires no effort on your part – just slice a raw potato into circles and place directly onto your skin tag(s), then leave overnight. Repeat twice daily for up to a couple of weeks until they’re gone completely – you should notice them getting smaller or disappearing within this timeframe.

8. Egg Whites And Flour

Unfortunately, many of these home remedies are not suitable for pregnant women or those breastfeeding but this one is perfectly safe. Just separate the white from the yolk and beat it into a light, airy foam before applying it to your skin tag(s) directly. The egg whites act as an antiseptic exfoliant while also sticking to your skin tag so they’ll slide off easily when you rinse with warm water.

9. Honey And Cinnamon Powder

Honey has antibacterial properties which will help prevent infection around your tags while the cinnamon powder works as an antiseptic to reduce them over time – just mix equal parts honey and cinnamon together then apply to unsightly tags every morning and night until they’re gone. Make sure to use fresh ingredients when possible!

10. Garlic And Grapefruit Seed Extract

Another simple yet effective remedy is to combine fresh garlic with grapefruit seed extract in equal parts, then rub directly onto skin tags twice daily for up to a couple of weeks. This may not be suitable if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding so check with your doctor first.

11. Castor Oil And Cayenne Pepper Paste

This mixture may sting when applied but it will reduce unsightly skin tags quickly and effectively due to the antiseptic properties of both cayenne pepper and castor oil, which also reduces inflammation. Mix 1 tbsp each of cayenne pepper paste and castor oil together, then apply to tags 2-3 times daily until they’re gone. Don’t worry about the redness this causes – it should fade within a couple of days.

12. Zeolite Powder And Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that has been shown to be highly effective against bacteria and viruses, while zeolite powder can also aid in healing as well as reducing skin tags. Combine 1 tsp each of zeolite powder and colloidal silver together, then apply directly onto your skin tags using a cotton bud/q-tip twice daily for up to a couple of weeks – make sure not to get any on the surrounding areas as it could irritate them!

13. Castor Oil And Dental Floss

So maybe this isn’t as simple as the other remedies but if you’re looking for something quick and effective, tying some dental floss around the base of your skin tag(s) will cut off their blood supply which should kill them off. Repeat twice daily until they’re gone, although it could take a few days longer if they’re larger – don’t worry, it still works!

14. Ice

If none of the above remedies work for you then unfortunately all that’s left is electrolysis or surgery. Before going under the knife though or spending money on expensive laser removal sessions, give ice a try first as it can reduce tags by up to 50% within a couple of weeks – neat trick huh? Wrapping an ice cube in a tea bag and applying it directly to your skin tags may not be as fun as some of these other methods but it really does work!

Conclusion

I hope that helps clear up any confusion you have about skin tags and how to get rid of them safely and effectively at home, no matter what your race or age is! Of course, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor first before trying anything at home and if these remedies fail then electrolysis and surgery are the way forward.
The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor before starting on any new skincare routine.