If you’ve ever had a skin tag, you know how inconvenient and unsightly they can be. While a trip to the doctor’s office is a good option, easy home remedies for skin tag removal do exist. Here’s everything you need to know about skin tags and how to safely remove them yourself with essential oils.

What Are Skin Tags?

Skin tags are soft, protrusions of skin that are generally between 1-2 mm in size.[1] They can be the color of your skin or darker and may appear in the following areas:

• Eyelids
• Underarms
• Under breasts
• Groin
• Neck
• Chest 

Technically, they are benign tumors and not harmful if left intact, though many may wish to for aesthetic reasons.

How To Prevent Skin Tags

If you’re someone who frequently develops these bothersome skin protrusions, you may be looking for ways to prevent skin tags. Here are some of our top tips for avoiding skin tags altogether. 

1. Wear loose-fitting clothes: Skin tags are often caused by clothing frequently rubbing against the skin.  
2. Use a sharpened razor blade when shaving: Skin tags may also be caused by repeated rubbing of a dull razor blade. 
3. Apply a moisturizer in areas where you develop skin tags: Skin tags often occur in skin folds (eyelids, underarms, under breasts) because skin rubs together in these areas. To prevent this, use a moisturizer (or deodorant in the case of underarms) to decrease friction.

While the exact cause of skin tags is unknown, the following may be contributors to your developing skin tags:

• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Genetics
• STDs
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol 
  

How To Remove Skin Tags

Looking for ways to get rid of skin tags? Along with using over-the-counter medications and having your doctor remove them, you may want to try these at-home remedies.[2] 

Clean the area before trying the following methods. 

1. Tie floss or thread around the skin tag to cut off blood flow to the skin tag. Wait a few days, replacing the thread if necessary. Once the skin tag has shriveled, twist it off. Apply an antibiotic once the tag is removed. 
2. Dehydrate the skin tag by applying rubbing alcohol, liquor or vinegar to the tag, then cover the skin tag with a bandaid until it becomes shriveled. Once it does, twist it off and apply an antibiotic.
3. Apply a bit of minced garlic to the tag and cover with a bandaid each night. Once shriveled, clip it off with sterilized clippers and apply an antibiotic. 

Consult with your doctor before trying to remove skin tags yourself.

Essential Oils For Skin Tags

Luckily for aromatherapy lovers, essential oils are a feasible option for skin tag removal. Here are our tried-and-true essential oils for removing pesky skin tags. 

1. Tea Tree: We love Tea Tree for skin tags because it works on multiple levels. Tea Tree cleans the area making it less susceptible to infection that may ensue when removing the tag yourself. It also helps to dehydrate the area. Try our Tea Tree roll-on essential oil for quick and convenient topical application. Cover the area with a bandaid and repeat nightly. 
2. Oregano: A highly antiviral oil, Oregano oil offers an effective solution to skin tag removal. To use, dilute to 1% and swab the mixture onto the skin tag. Cover with a bandaid and repeat nightly.  
3. Frankincense: An oil extolled for its many skincare benefits and applications, Frankincense helps to clear away skin tags while preventing future tags from forming. To remove skin tags, try Frankincense & Myrrh roll-on essential oil. A blend of skin healing oils, this combination works to remove unsightly blemishes, including skin tags. Apply at night and cover with a bandaid.
4. Lemon: This citrus essential oil favorite is known for being antioxidant-rich and having astringent, skin-tightening properties. Together, Lemon essential oil’s benefits work to fend off skin tags quickly and effectively. To use, dilute Lemon Around The World to 3% and apply to skin tags, then cover with a bandaid. While you can also use Lemon essential oil, Lemon Around The World oil is a synergy of multiple Lemon oils grown in different areas. This produces a highly effective essential oil with a unique and beautiful aroma. 

Continue using any of the above oils nightly until the tag has shriveled. Then, twist off or use sterilized clippers to remove. Apply an antibiotic following removal. 

Note, that we do not recommend applying essential oils near or around the eyes. 

Skin-Smoothing Essential Oil Tips

Want smoother skin this summer? Here are a few of our top tips.

1. Face Wash: Make a natural face wash with 1 tablespoon of Liquid Castile Soap, 1 tablespoon of Witch Hazel, and 6 drops of Best Skin Ever. Use within a week or two. 
2. Face Oil: Add 6 drops of Face Love to 1 oz of Rosehip carrier oil. Massage the blend into your skin. 
3. Whipped Cellulite Body Butter: Melt ¼ oz of Beeswax and ¾ oz of Shea Butter in a double boiler. Remove from heat and pour into a glass or ceramic bowl. Let cool slightly then stir in 3 oz of Tamanu oil. Add 40 drops of Cellulite blend and whip with a whisk or immersion blender. Transfer to a 4 oz container and let cool in the fridge overnight. 
4. Shaving Oil: Boost your shave by combining 12 drops of Skin Love and 1 oz of Jojoba carrier oil. Massage your skin with shaving oil and use your favorite razor to trim hair.

Love Your Skin

At Edens Garden, we believe everyone should love their skin–blemishes or no blemishes. And if you want to give your skin some extra TLC with the help of all-natural essential oils, we’re here for that too. Luckily, we offer many skin-loving products, from moisturizing body oils and skin healing bar soaps to 100% pure essentials for all skin types. Whatever your skin needs, we’ve got you covered. Use our “Shop By Use or Aroma” tool or get in touch with us to find the product that’s right for you.  

Sources:

1. Brazier, Yvette. “All You Need to Know about Skin Tags.” Medical News Today, 26 July 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/67317#what_are_skin_tags.
2. Higuera, Valencia. “How to Get Rid of Skin Tags.” Healthline, 24 June 2020, www.healthline.com/health/skin-tag-removal#otc.