If you’re tired of harsh treatments, freezing sprays, or pricey dermatological procedures, there’s good news—your kitchen may already hold the answer to smoother, healthier skin. A simple homemade paste, made from just three natural ingredients, can help you gently eliminate warts and skin tags without pain, chemicals, or scarring. This overnight method taps into the healing power of nature and starts working from the very first night.
The secret? A blend of apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and tea tree oil. These three ingredients work in harmony to dry out skin growths, fight bacteria and viruses, and support skin regeneration—all without damaging surrounding skin.
Let’s start with apple cider vinegar. This pantry staple is known for its high acetic acid content, which helps break down wart tissue and promotes the gentle removal of skin growths over time. But it doesn’t stop there—apple cider vinegar is also rich in antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it a great ally in preventing infections and future flare-ups. When applied topically, it helps your skin heal naturally by encouraging cell turnover and shedding of dead tissue.
Next, we have baking soda—a humble ingredient that plays a powerful role in exfoliating the skin. It gently removes dead skin cells while balancing the skin’s pH, creating an unfavorable environment for harmful microbes. It also thickens the remedy, turning the liquid vinegar into a paste that stays in place overnight for maximum effectiveness.
The third star of the formula is tea tree oil. Known for its potent antiviral and antimicrobial properties, tea tree oil tackles the root causes of many warts, including certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). It also helps reduce inflammation, redness, and irritation, making the entire process more comfortable for your skin.
To make this healing paste at home, you’ll need one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of baking soda, and three to four drops of pure tea tree oil. Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and stir until you get a smooth, spreadable consistency. Then, apply a generous amount of the paste directly to the wart or skin tag. Cover it with a cotton ball and secure it in place using medical tape or a small bandage. Leave it on overnight and let the natural ingredients do their work.
What can you expect after just one night? The mixture begins drying out the growth, slowly drawing out moisture and disrupting the abnormal tissue. You may notice that the wart or tag begins to darken, shrink, or flatten within a few applications. With nightly use, the growth may fall off on its own within a week or two—sometimes sooner for smaller spots. Best of all, the surrounding skin stays calm and protected, and scarring is minimal to none.
For optimal results, apply this treatment every night until the wart or skin tag disappears completely. Depending on the size and location, this could take anywhere from 7 to 21 days. Even after you start seeing improvement, continue using the paste for a few extra nights to reduce the chance of recurrence.
In the meantime, you can support your skin’s healing process by staying hydrated and eating immune-boosting foods like garlic, citrus fruits, turmeric, and dark leafy greens. Resist the urge to pick or scratch at the area, and once the growth falls off, consider applying a little coconut oil to soothe the skin and help prevent scarring.
While this remedy is safe and effective for most people, it’s important to know when to consult a dermatologist. If the growth begins changing color, shape, or starts bleeding, seek medical advice right away. The same goes if you’re unsure whether you’re dealing with a wart, skin tag, or another type of skin lesion. And if the area becomes painful or doesn’t improve after two to three weeks of treatment, a professional evaluation is the best course of action.
Nature often provides gentle solutions where synthetic ones fall short. This simple homemade remedy is proof that you don’t always need expensive procedures to restore balance to your skin. With just a bit of patience and consistency, you can clear away unwanted growths and reveal smoother, healthier skin—naturally, and with care.