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How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Seborrheic Keratosis

| Modified on Dec 06, 2025
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Apple Cider Vinegar for Seborrheic Keratosis

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a simple, cost-effective natural remedy that some people use to treat seborrheic keratosis (SK), a common non-cancerous skin growth.

This traditional home remedy is believed to work by using its natural acids to break down excess keratin in the raised lesion, helping it gradually dry out, darken, and eventually fall off over time.

While scientific studies are limited, many Earth Clinic readers have reported success using ACV for seborrheic keratosis when it is applied carefully, monitored closely, and used alongside guidance from a qualified healthcare professional.

CRITICAL MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

Seborrheic keratosis (SK) can sometimes resemble serious skin conditions, including melanoma. It is essential that you consult a dermatologist to confirm your diagnosis before attempting any home treatment. This information is educational and not a substitute for professional medical advice or care.

Reader Results at a Glance

  • Many readers report that seborrheic keratosis spots darken and scab within 3–10 days of ACV application.
  • Lesions often dry out and fall off over 1–3 weeks.
  • Pink or lighter new skin is common after the SK detaches.
  • Most common side effect: stinging or irritation. Most serious: burns if ACV is left on too long.

Why Apple Cider Vinegar Works for Seborrheic Keratosis

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which may break down keratin buildup and gradually remove seborrheic keratosis. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties may also benefit the skin and reduce infection risk.

  • Exfoliates dead skin and reduces lesion thickness.
  • Balances skin pH to discourage excess keratin production.
  • Reduces redness due to mild anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Prevents infection with antimicrobial properties.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar to Treat Seborrheic Keratosis

Use raw, unfiltered, organic ACV for best results.

1. Direct Application Method

  • Apply undiluted ACV with a cotton ball or Q-tip.
  • Keep it on for 10–15 minutes, then rinse.
  • Repeat twice daily until the lesion dries and detaches.

2. ACV and Bandage Method

High risk of burns—use extreme caution.

  • Apply ACV to a cotton pad and secure with a bandage.
  • Leave on for 1–2 hours only at first.
  • Do not sleep with ACV applied until you know your skin tolerance.

3. Diluted ACV for Sensitive Areas

  • Mix 1 tbsp ACV with 3 tbsp distilled water.
  • Use near eyes or other sensitive skin regions.
  • Apply twice daily with a Q-tip.

⚠️ Precautions, Side Effects, and Burns

  • Always patch test ACV and wait 24 hours.
  • ACV can cause chemical burns. Stop immediately if blistering or intense pain occurs.
  • Do not apply to broken, irritated, or infected skin.
  • Reduce frequency or dilute ACV if irritation occurs.
  • Seek medical care if the lesion changes color, shape, or does not improve.

Who Should Avoid Apple Cider Vinegar

  • People with extremely fair or sensitive skin.
  • Those prone to keloids or hypertrophic scarring.
  • Anyone using topical steroids or medications that thin the skin.
  • Individuals with eczema or dermatitis near the lesion.
  • Anyone with a growth that is bleeding, multicolored, irregular, rapidly growing, or itchy.

Areas Where ACV Should Not Be Used

  • Eyelids or lash line
  • Lips or inside the mouth
  • Inside nostrils
  • Genitals or groin
  • Very large or inflamed lesions

Treating Multiple Lesions at Once

  • Treat only 1–3 lesions at a time to reduce irritation.
  • Add more lesions only after observing how your skin reacts.
  • If you have many SKs, medical removal may be a better choice.

What to Expect and How Long It Takes

  • Lesions may darken or scab within 3–10 days.
  • Drying, shrinking, and flaking usually occur over 1–3 weeks.
  • New skin appears pink or lighter and may take weeks to months to blend in.
  • Sun exposure during healing increases risk of dark spots.

Aftercare: Protecting Your Skin After ACV Treatment

  • Do not pick the scab—let it fall off naturally.
  • Apply aloe vera, vitamin E, or a gentle moisturizer to soothe skin.
  • Use petroleum jelly if the skin is tender or raw.
  • Protect healing skin from sun exposure to prevent discoloration.
  • Stop ACV and seek help if redness, pain, or infection occurs.

Conventional Medical Treatments

Dermatologists commonly remove SKs using fast, effective methods:

  • Cryotherapy: Freezing with liquid nitrogen.
  • Curettage: Scraping the lesion off.
  • Electrocautery: Burning the growth.

Additional Natural Remedies for Seborrheic Keratosis

  • Castor Oil + Baking Soda: Apply overnight.
  • Tea Tree Oil: Diluted application for irritation control.
  • Vitamin E Oil: Supports healing and reduces scarring.
  • Aloe Vera Gel: Hydrates and soothes.

When to See a Doctor

  • Rapid changes in size, color, or shape.
  • Bleeding, pain, or persistent irritation.
  • No improvement after several weeks of careful treatment.
  • Any uncertainty about whether the lesion is truly an SK.

Final Thoughts

Apple cider vinegar is a popular, affordable natural remedy for seborrheic keratosis. However, its effectiveness is based on anecdotal reports rather than clinical research. If you want immediate or guaranteed results, medical removal is the most reliable option. If you try ACV, proceed with caution and consistency.

Keep reading below to see how Earth Clinic readers have successfully used ACV for seborrheic keratosis. Have you tried this remedy? Share your experience in the comments!

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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30 User Reviews

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Posted by anon (usa) on 01/04/2024
 ★★★★★

I am caucasian, 60, sun exposure, with mixed brown age spots, raised "barnacle" skin, seborric keratosis, suddenly rough skin, chest, leg, back, breast ( under) I put full strength organic ( mother in) ACV in 3 days, the freckles are already light. The barnacles are flaking. I used a salt scrub, prior once. totally shocked. have not done face..but did use iodine before, with good results, tightening pores.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Daniel (Toronto) on 04/30/2023
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Apple Cider Vinegar for Seborrheic Keratosis

This works. My doctor first suggested cutting it off. I asked to try freezing it which she did, saying it would probly take a couple of treatments to completely remove it because of the size. It worked for the most part but there was still some it remaining. I never bothered to go back but instead tried the ACV which I read about. I dabbed my SK, which was on my scalp, 2-3 times a day with a Q-tip saturated with ACV. In a week it started to dry out and get a little crumbly on the edges which gave me hope it was doing something. Within the next week little pieces could be picked off, and it quickly resembled a small scab that eventually came off. 2-3 weeks of ACV and it was gone. I'm astonished at how well it worked to be honest. Why doctors don't recommend this is a mystery. Somebody needs to do a study to confirm what so many of us already know by experience.

Replied by Ian
(Victoria)
08/27/2024

I've just started using cotton balls at the moment, on the scalp and sides of face. The idea came to me while praying. So now have come on this Web site to check out if it is recognised. Nice to read its doing a good job for you folk.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marshall (Worldwide) on 01/01/2023
 ★★★★★

It only took a week for apple cider vinegar to clear up my seborrheic keratosis. Dab vinegar on it 3 times a day. I didn't need to cover it up.

Replied by John
(England)
04/02/2025

Does it really work?

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by RB (Somewhere in Europe) on 04/20/2022 93 posts
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

There was a Seborrheic Keratosis (SK) in the center of my forehead that - under magnification - looked a bit like a cauliflower - similar to the image I am attaching to this post. While its diameter was only 3 mm, it was not only ugly, but it was also growing, pretty aggressively, at the rate of 0.5 mm per month.

Initially I tried the Band-Aid Method. For a couple of weeks I covered my SK with one of the sticky parts of a Band-Aid, so the air couldn't get to it. On the positive side, my SK did regress. However, on the negative side A) I had to wear the tape all day, and B) this Band-Aid Method was not fast enough or me.

So I bought some (organic, unsulfured, 5%) Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) and, for exactly 11 days, I applied it with a Q-Tip, 3 to 6 times per day.

I could tell right away that the ACV Method was working on my SK. Almost immediately my SK began to shrink and turn from light brown to black. As a function of time, my SK kept getting smaller and darker. And then, on day 11 of this ACV treatment, my SK simply dropped off, or peeled off, leaving behind nothing but perfectly healthy skin. There was no crater, indentation, and or pain.

All in all, this ACV Method was a true miracle of a treatment. It saved me from cryosurgery and or the scalpel of a dermatologist.

Therefore I wholeheartedly recommend the ACV Method; I am glad that I tried it; and of course it doesn't hurt to try it. However, please keep in mind that the diagnosis of SK is not enough; there are 10 or so different kinds of SK; and the ACV Method will not work on every kind of SK.

I hope someone will be able to use this!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dr K (Scotland ) on 07/22/2021
 ★★★☆☆

I have been reading about this as a treatment for seborrheic keratosis and wanted to just add a reminder that vinegar is an acid that can cause skin damage.

For example, there are numerous case reports of skin burns from apple cider vinegar.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26155328/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22980269/

Lots of people seem to have success with this method which is great. The benefits of using vinegar should be weighed against the risks of using it too. I may try it myself one day - but with great caution. Occlusion (use of bandages over the area) may increase the risk of burns. Using acid near the eyes is especially dangerous. potentially catastrophic.

Replied by Deirdre
(Connecticut)
07/23/2021

I agree, ACV can burn the skin so you must use it cautiously and not for very long.

I used it on a pimple on my chin that sprung during a national karate competition something like 15 years ago. I had brought ACV with me to drink for energy before my big fights (haha) and decided to use it to get rid of my pimple fast the night before. I put it on a cotton ball and held it on the spot for a few minutes twice in about 12 hours as I recall.

Yep, the acv caused a much bigger trauma to the area than a small pimple and I looked like I had been either cut, burned, or punched hard in the chin (karate competition, so a possibility). Then it formed a big scab and took forever to heal. Never did it again! 😂

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Paul (Milwaukee) on 06/25/2021
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Unbelievable I am so happy!

My Seborrheic Keratosis WAS located on my scalp above my right temple and was starting to show through my hair line. Over the last two years it has grown from dime size to a monstrous half-dollar sized ugly brown spot.

I set up a dermatologist appointment but he was booked for over a month so I still would be waiting two more weeks until the removal appointment. Being impatient I started doing research and found this site with all the reviews about removing the seborrheic keratosis with apple cider vinegar.

I applied the Apple Cider Vinegar that I found in our cabinet and started applying it with a Q-Tip 3-4 times per day.

It has been a bit over two weeks of treatment and literally like 10 minutes ago I went into the bathroom to check it out because it felt itchy and about 80% of the seborrheic keratosis just peeled off my head leaving behind perfectly healthy skin underneath.

A truly miracle of a treatment. Saved me hundreds of dollars and hair loss from the treatment the dermatologist would have done.

100% recommended. I literally can't believe it. I never do holistic medicine or at home remedies. Glad I tried it!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Marina (Australia) on 09/19/2018
 ★★★★★

I'm another ACV success story. I have a few spots under my breast and the dermatologist couldn't do anything for them. I successfully removed one a year ago by rubbing ACV on the spot for 20 minutes a couple of times during the day. It made it look worse before it looked better. I only tried one spot that was the darkest, the largest, the oldest and the most raised to test it because I was worried it may get infected given its location. It was red raw and and seepy for a few days so I placed pieces of cotton fabric to soak up the moisture and keep the area clean and dry. It took a couple of weeks but it healed nicely and apart from a bit of slightly darker area surrounding the spot, there is not much evidence it even existed, despite me having it for ten years. I'm now repeating the process on the rest of them all at once this year. It's a little uncomfortable and it burns a little but nothing unbearable. I prefer a little pain than the constant itch I had from them rubbing on my underwire bra. As I experienced last year, they should heal up and get itchy one more time before they disappear forever.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Dennis (Springfield, Ma) on 04/11/2018
 ★★★★★

I had a seborrheic keratosis on my left cheek just below my eye. About the size of a pencil eraser, it has been there for about ten years. It was unsightly, but also subject to cutting when I shaved. I read about the apple cider vinegar treatment and although skeptical, gave it a try. Well I can tell you, I was amazed at how well this worked. With 2 applications a day for about a half hour each, in 10 days the thing is 95 % gone. Total cost for ACV and cotton pads was less than $10.00. We'll see if it comes back, but I'll start treating it right away. Thanks so much for the advise.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mc (Ontario) on 03/16/2018
 ★★★★★

I have has a quarter-diameter keratosis on my temple; it's been ther for a year.

My Derma appt is in April, but I couldn't wait because it is so obvious. I tried tea tree oil. Peroxide. Nothing.

I have tried ACV now going on 1 week and the spot is shrinking and fading. Stay tuned.

Replied by Suzanne
(Uk)
04/08/2018

Hi there, I'm in the first stages of using apple cider vinegar on a large brown wart on my back and as I went to scratch it I've noticed that it seems to be peeling at the top of it! I got scared and put the plaster back on tbh, fingers x

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Steve (Durham, UK) on 03/04/2018
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I have had one large area of Seborrhoea Keratosis on my face for nearly 20 years, growing slowly att the time, another one appeared above my eye brow last year, growing quickly. I had them both checked out by my Doctor and specialist, not harmful and no real treatment.

I read about Apple Cider Vinegar and started to apply with a cotton wool ball twice a day, the new growth above the eye brown completely disappeared within 3 weeks, the longer standing growth, after 3 months, most of it has gone and is probably about 10% of what it was and continues to reduce...amazing results!!!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Alan (Bedfordshire) on 01/08/2018
 ★★★★★

Acv worked a treat on 'senile wart'.

I had one of these on my temple, about a centimetre in diameter. Applied Apple Cider Vinegar on cotton wool then stuck it on with a plaster, felt a slight burning at times so assumed it was doing something. After 7 days I put after sun lotion on it which softened it then it peeled off like magic. I was sceptical at first but happy and surprised with the results.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Gillian (United Kingdom) on 08/22/2017
 ★★★★★

Tortured with this unsightly seborrheic keratosis (sk) for 10 yrs now- hospital wouldnt touch it as it was on my chest area an would leave a dimple/scar on my breast if removed. Found Apple Cider Vinegar home remedy-bottle of magic- I've been treating my sk since end of june and its disappearing before my very eyes!

Mine was quite deep and over 1 cm almost 2 in size hence it has taken a couple of months- I expect 2 be sk free in a matter of wks-perhaps a light reddish brown mark will be left but I'll take that over the unsightly almost deep black pitted thing I once had! Highly recommend the Apple Cider Vinegar route.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Bunny12 (Texas) on 07/29/2017
 ★★★★★

This method works. I didn't even use the organic kind because I had the regular apple cider vinegar and wanted to try it right away. Mine was gone before I had a chance to buy the organic apple cider vinegar. I'm hoping gone forever, but we will see.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Virginia) on 05/27/2017
 ★★★★★

I had a seborrheic keratosis lesion on my left arm that was being irritated by my bra strap. I'd had others on my back removed by my old doctor using dry ice so I knew what it was. (That hurts! ) I asked a new health care professional about removing this one. She was going to refer me to a dermatologist, but said they probably wouldn't remove it, since "they didn't do that anymore." I had some time before the appointment with the dermatologist, so I tried the ACV method. I soaked a small piece of a cotton ball in the ACV, put it on the lesion and covered it with a band aid. It worked within two weeks! No pain, no scar. I cancelled my appointment.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Kd2017 (Atlanta, Ga) on 04/03/2017
 ★★★★★

I tend to be skeptical of natural cures until now. I had a Seborrheic Keratosis on my bra line for about 7 or 8 years. I figured there was nothing I could do and it would always be embarrassing. My husband is obsessed with Apple Cider Vinegar so much that we kid that if we stun our toe, just out some Apple Cider Vinegar on it. Anyway, I decided to give it a try. I soaked a cotton ball in it and applied overnight with bandage tape. I also put on Vaseline/Neosporin around the healthy skin so it wouldn't bother it. The first and second night of stuff. I made it like a hour the second night. But the thing started turning white. Sure enough, on day 4 it started to rub off after a shower. By day 7, the thing was not there anymore. It's two months past and it is still gone. Just wanted to report in case someone else wanted to give it a try. Now my husband loves acv even more. Ha!


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