There’s no scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar (ACV) can remove skin tags. Moreover, it may even irritate or burn the skin. It’s best to have skin tags removed by a dermatologist.

Skin tags are small, noncancerous growths that are very common. They’re usually flesh-colored or slightly darker and appear to hang off the skin.

Skin tags tend to pop up in areas with folds of skin, such as the armpits, groin, or eyelids. They don’t cause any health problems and are usually painless.

Many people with skin tags want to remove them for cosmetic reasons. That said, there’s no evidence that ACV is effective in removing skin tags.

Keep reading to learn what the evidence says about ACV and the skin and the best ways to remove skin tags.

ACV IS a type of vinegar made by fermenting crushed apples, yeast, and sugar.

There are different types of vinegar, and they all must contain at least 4% acetic acid. ACV contains about 5%, as well as various compounds such as vitamins, mineral salts, amino acids, and polyphenols.

Some people believe that the acetic acid in ACV can help break down the tissue surrounding skin tags, eventually causing them to fall off. However, there’s no evidence that this is the case.

In fact, putting it on your skin may actually cause chemical burns.

A 2015 article noted the case of a teenage girl who applied ACV to a mole on her face every day for 3 days and covered it with a bandage. While the vinegar removed the mole after a few days, it also removed the top layer of skin in the affected area.

This skin removal can lead to scarring and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are much harder to get rid of than skin tags.

Another, older report documented the case of a young boy who was left with a chemical burn after applying a cotton ball soaked in ACV to the skin on his knee.

Despite potential side effects such as skin irritation and burns, ACV may have some properties that could be beneficial for the skin.

ACV is known for its antimicrobial properties, and according to a 2023 research review, it may also help protect or restore the skin barrier, which may help with symptoms of atopic dermatitis and acne. It may also help exfoliate the skin and help relieve certain kinds of itch.

If you choose to use it on the skin for any of these purposes, always dilute it first to reduce its acidity. A good recommendation is to use half a tablespoon (tbsp) per 8 ounces (oz) or 1 cup of water.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) actually doesn’t endorse the use of home remedies for removing skin tags.

That’s because home remedies, including ones that contain ACV, are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and haven’t been evaluated as safe.

While skin tags are generally harmless, they can be troublesome for aesthetic reasons. A dermatologist can remove them in a simple outpatient procedure.

There’s no way to prevent skin tags. Sometimes, they might be genetic in origin, or they may show suddenly from the friction of clothing against your skin.

However, various studies suggest that they may be associated with various underlying health conditions, such as autoimmune or genetic disorders, as well as insulin resistance and obesity.

Not all of these underlying causes are preventable, either, but you can work on maintaining a moderate weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise. This is beneficial to your overall health, whether or not it helps prevent skin tags.

There’s no scientific evidence that apple cider vinegar removes skin tags. In addition, a few case studies have revealed potential risks associated with using apple cider vinegar on your skin. But there are ways to use it safely.