Essential oils are amazing. They have dozens of beneficial effects, ranging from improving the health of the skin to helping us relax. Unfortunately, this means that they’re used to treat conditions that they aren’t suited in the hope that they might help. They’re not a cure-all.
If you’ve found this post, it means that you’re considering using oregano oil for skin tags. But is the potential treatment of skin tags one of oregano oil’s benefits? Or is it just an old wives’ tale? Well, if you want answers to these questions and more, you’ve come to the right place.
Oregano oil is a mid-strength essential oil. What we mean by that is that oregano oil is milder than tea tree oil. This means that oregano oil can get rid of skin tags, but that it isn’t quite as useful as the alternatives. That being said, the fact that it’s a little weaker is a good thing in some ways.
The point of this guide is to explain everything you need to know about using oregano oil for skin tags. First, we’ll explore how oregano oil and essential oils for skin tags work. Then, we’ll cover exactly how you’re supposed to use them to achieve maximum results. Last, we’ll take a look at some of the best skin tag removal options.
What Is Oregano Oil?
The odds are that you’re already familiar with oregano, even if you didn’t know it already. Oregano is a common herb used in Italian cooking, which you can use to top pasta, pizza and more. It has a uniquely warm and floral but bitter taste. As a plant, oregano is related to mint and marjoram, despite their distinct flavors.
Oregano oil is derived from the herb using an extraction method called ‘steam distillation.’ This method is ancient and dates back an incredible 5,000 years. Through this method, you can produce oil from oregano which has the same distinct pungent smell as the herb.
In steam distillation, the herb or plant is placed within a still. Boiling water underneath produces steam, which extracts the oil from the plant matter. This steam travels through a pipe to a condenser, where the steam condenses. This can be done in a tiny still on a table top, or at an industrial scale.
It has the following properties:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-fungal
- Anti-allergenic
- Anti-parasitic
- Anti-inflammatory
Scientific studies have been unable to replicate these ideas in a laboratory setting. However, Carvacrol – a chemical compound present in oregano, thyme, and bergamot – is anti-bacterial.
That being said, the mechanism by which oregano oil removes skin tag is nothing to do with bacteria. Nor is it anything to do with fungal infection. Instead, oregano oil works like all other essential oils: by drying the skin tag gradually.
How Does Oregano Oil Remove Skin Tags?
Oregano oil has an astringent effect on the skin. In plain English, that means that if you apply it in sufficient quantities, it dries out the skin. If you have oily skin, essential oils are a useful way to treat it. It also means that oregano oil on skin tags can dry them out gradually.
Oregano oil and other essential oils work by drying your skin tag. It’s almost counterintuitive: you would think that an ‘oil’ would moisturize your skin. But essential oils have the opposite effect. Natural doesn’t necessarily mean gentle, and essential oils can make your skin sensitive and cause contact dermatitis. Strangely, it is this reaction that makes them perfect for tackling skin tags.
What you do is apply the essential oil only to your skin tag. This damages the skin of your skin tag so severely that it becomes dry and brittle, to the point where it breaks away from the skin. Applying the oil is easy enough to see the section below for more information on how to do just that.
How to Use Oregano Oil on Skin Tags
If you apply essential oils to skin tags neat, you may experience adverse effects. These include your skin drying out and becoming irritated, as well as phototoxicity. Phototoxicity is an effect that citrus oils have where they make you more sensitive to light. You will become more susceptible to severe sunburn because of phototoxicity. People always assume that natural means safe, but this isn’t always the case.
We advise that you dilute oregano oil with a carrier oil before you use it. Carrier oils are neutral oils that do not have a significant effect on the skin.
Carrier oils that you can use include the following:
- Almond oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Grapeseed oil
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
Diluting your oregano oil will mean that you are less likely to damage your skin during treatment. This is important since essential oils like these can irritate the skin. Once you have bought your oregano oil and diluted it down, you can start getting rid of skin tags.
Here’s a breakdown of how exactly to do just that:
- Perform a patch test. Take just a few drops of the oil. Dab them onto a Q-Tip or a cotton ball. Apply the oil to an inconspicuous place like the inside of the elbow. Leave the oil for a few minutes, and take note of whether your skin reacts adversely (e.g., inflammation or irritation). If not, continue with the steps below.
- Apply the cotton ball or Q-Tip to the skin tag only. Avoid contact with the rest of your skin as much as possible. This is to reduce any potential irritation around your skin tag.
- Allow the oil to dry naturally. Alternatively, cover the skin tag with oil and place a Band-Aid on it. This will allow the oil to work for longer.
- Repeat this process at least twice a day for as long as it takes for your skin tag to fall off.
How Effective Is Oregano Oil?
Oregano oil is reasonably effective. According to reviews and testimonials, it seems to work somewhere between half and two-thirds of the time. It also takes a long time to take effect and is not the most potent essential oil that you can use.
Essential oils do have some side effects. If you fail to use them correctly, they will cause irritation and even hypersensitive skin. This is why it is vital that you only apply the oil to your skin tag, rather than the area around it. Otherwise, more of your skin will dry out and become irritated.
One of the good things about oregano oil and all essential oils is that they do not pose a risk of scarring. Many methods of skin tag removal do lead to scars or leave marks behind. This is because they create scabs which you may accidentally pick at before your body finishes healing. This is one of the benefits of oregano oil (and other oils) compared to the alternatives.
If other skin tag removers didn’t work for you, oregano oil might be worth a shot.
What Are the Alternatives to Oregano Oil?
As we mentioned above, oregano oil is not the best essential oil to use on skin tags. Many reviews suggest that it works around half the time. So if it worked for your friend or relative, it might not work for you. The good news is that oregano oil is inexpensive, so you won’t be too disappointed if it doesn’t work. Of course, you won’t be able to get the time back that you’ve spent applying the treatment.
- Pharmaceutical grade, highly versatile essential oil
- Use to make your own shampoo, lotion, tea tree oil soap, body wash, toothpaste
Most people will have better results with other essential oils, especially Apothecary tea tree oil. It works in the same way but is far more potent. It contains unique compounds which actively dry out the skin, which make it perfect for skin tag removal.
And if essential oils aren’t for you, why not consider one of these alternatives?
- Ligation/tying off your skin tag. You can use a helpful device like the TagBand.
- TagBand's innovative design works fast to remove skin tags!
- Permanent results after just one application
- Cautery or electrocautery to burn or corrode your skin tag. This process will likely mark the skin.
- Cryotherapy/freezing your skin tags using liquid nitrogen. This method is highly effective but can make the skin feel uncomfortable.
These methods are tried and tested and can get rid of your skin tags quicker. If essential oils don’t work for you, try one of these treatments instead.