Given that this is a medical treatment of sorts, we have decided to pay special attention to whether or not a formula is effective. Whether or not it actually helps get rid of warts, whether it stops their spreading, and whether it also prevents them from coming back once they’re gone.

And the tricky thing, in this case, is, everyone’s experience with this ailment and these types of solutions is different and unique. The reason for this is that everyone has a different immune system. Some people require no cure, and their problems disappear all on their own once their immune system develops a way to fight HPV. Others struggle and may resort to these over-the-counter options to try and eliminate their skin tags. There are even those who give up entirely and see a clinician who suggests surgery as a final solution.

Everyone’s journey is different, and as a result, most items here have mixed reviews.

So, in that case, how can you know if something will work for you or not?

The sad answer is, you won’t. You won’t know until you give it a try. The most potent of products, such as the Stick Remover with 40% salicylic acid could have the same effect as rubbing cooking oil on your infected area, while the most obscure of homeopathic formulas which many people say does nothing could be just the product you are looking for.

Unfortunately, as we have stated in our introduction, getting rid of these growths requires determination, perseverance, and patience. Pick a preparation you think sounds the best to you, and start from there. Will a little luck and a lot of careful application, you will succeed on your first try and you won’t have to come back and search for another item to use instead.

In our guide, we included many different types of wart removal products, and with them came many different ways of applying them. Some are more easier to use, and some aren’t so much, and here we will discuss all the tools we’ve come across and what are the pros and cons of each.

Let’s start with the most common one - the formula is packaged in a tube with a tiny hole at the tip, and you squeeze out the amount of product you wish to use. Sounds simple enough, and not too messy, right? But what happens if the product is liquid, thinner than you expected it to be, and you squeeze out too much of it? Now you have it everywhere, on other parts of your skin, and perhaps even on your clothes or on the carpet. What a pain.

While this way of applying the formula is certainly convenient, as it requires no other tools, there is still a small chance that you might make a mess of it. Some options, such as the Compound W Gel, found a way around this by coming up with a formula that is thicker and doesn’t run so easily, saving you from having to clean up afterwards.

A similar method of application, that is only marginally more controlled, is by using the dropper tool, as in the case of Lutateo Remover Liquid. This is better, since now when you squeeze you can only release a drop or two of the liquid at best, and thus not risk staining the area around the one you wish to treat.

When looking at the Nuonove Liquid Remover, we couldn’t help but admire its pen tool for application, which seems like a great solution for a liquid-type formula. You simply brush it on as though you would with a paintbrush, quickly and precisely, without getting the liquid on the surrounding area, let alone anywhere more than that. Fast and easy and hassle-free!

After liquid wart removers come solid ones, and with that we can’t not mention the Stick Remover, one of the highlights of this guide. It comes in the shape of a chapstick (please don’t confuse it with actual chapstick!), and it doesn’t leak or drip or run anywhere, because it is of solid consistency. Your job is to apply it to the infected area with a few simple brushes and then put the cap back on, and you’re done!

Another very common way of formulating these preparations is by using pads. Pads are band-aids, essentially, infused with active ingredients, and designed to be stuck on the skin, or wrapped around the finger or toe where the skin tag sits. This does require some, minor, dexterity, but it is easy to use in the sense that you’re not in danger of spilling anything anywhere.

Furthermore, these pads have a protective quality to them. They protect the area from water, meaning that you can get into the shower without worrying whether or not you will need to reapply your product afterwards. And, in the case of warts on the feet, they protect them from chafing and painful friction that might result from wearing socks and shoes.

Lastly, an item which we were quite surprised by is the Boiron Thuja Occidentalis, which is applied through mouth, or that is to say, in the form of pellets that you put under your tongue and let them dissolve. This is a very convenient way of going about your treatment, as you can simply help yourself with these on the go, without having to find time to fiddle with stick pads or liquids or similar.

When we say ‘materials’, here we actually mean ‘ingredients’, substances found in the formulas we have in our list here. There is a handful of these which are approved by the FDA to be used against abnormal skin conditions, and they range from those found in other pharmaceutical preparations and known drugs (such as aspirin), to those which are rooted in nature, such as herbal extracts and different products derived from honey and bees. We have already mentioned that their effectiveness greatly varies from one person to the next, so all of them deserve a little bit more explanation here.

Let’s start from the most common, and most important one, the salicylic acid.

‘Acid’ may sound like an extreme, scary word, but this is definitely not the corrosive, destructive type of acid you might be picturing. In fact, salicylic acid is the main ingredient in aspirin. It is an anti-inflammatory substance, one which softens abnormal skin cells and helps them break down.

The reason salicylic acid should be your first choice when it comes to curing this condition is because it is, according to a 2011 study from the British Journal of Dermatology, the only topical solution (a solution applied directly to the skin) that is better than the placebo. It is inexpensive, has minimal side effects, and comes in a variety of preparations, as we have seen in this guide. The maximum amount of salicylic acid found in a preparation that is still FDA approved is 40%, as in the Stick Remover, and the most common amount that is effective is 17%.

Other ingredients we have come across are those which are plant-based, such as Camphor, Sophora and Angelica. These are less potent than salicylic acid, and as a result more gentle on the skin. Not only do they aid in removing skin growths, but they also have the ability to nourish the skin, moisturize it, and keep it healthy and refreshed even after treatment.

However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of these natural formulas still has yet to be proven by modern medicine.

Before we wrap up our talk about ingredients, we also have to mention how vital it is that you check if you are allergic to any of them before you start using the preparation. Take a tiny amount of the formula, barely a drop, and rub it into your skin - preferably on your arm, or somewhere clearly visible like that - and wait for no less than 48 hours for signs of redness, itchiness, swelling or any kind of irritation. If there is none, you are free to use the product without worrying about possibly having an allergic reaction to it.

When it comes to topically applied remedies, or those which go on the skin, there aren’t many side effects to worry about, especially when the amount of formula applied is as small as in this case.

During our research, we found that the most common side effect when using over-the-counter preparations like these is a sensation of burning, or stinging of the area where the formula is applied. This is a direct result of applying salicylic acid on your skin, as this substance is called a keratolytic, or a peeling agent. A peeling agent causes the outer layer of your skin to peel, leaving behind new, healthy skin. It is a normal occurrence that this process causes some pain, the intensity of which depends on the strength of the salicylic acid in the formula.

Everyone’s pain threshold is different, so it is important to keep in mind that if a product wasn’t painful for your friend, it doesn’t mean it won’t be painful for you. Approach it with caution.

Another, less common, but still noteworthy side effect is the one we have already mentioned before - an allergic reaction. Immediately stop using the remedy and seek medical help if you notice any: itching, hives, difficulty breathing, lightheadedness, swelling of anything anywhere on your body, but especially of the face, throat, lips or tongue.

If you are taking any other types of medication, such as for diabetes or blood pressure, if you are suffering from poor circulation or liver or kidney disease, make sure to consult your doctor before you start taking any over-the-counter preparations, especially those which are applied orally, as the Boiron Thuja Occidentalis.

All of this applies to natural, herbal remedies as well. Just because a formula contains only plant-based extracts does not make it harmless. Make sure to read the ingredient list before you do anything, and be wary of those packages which don’t precisely detail what they contain. Perform an allergy test, and consult your doctor before you proceed with using a product.

One last thing we felt was important to evaluate here is the value of the item itself. Compared to other ones of its kind, is it expensive, in the middle range, or quite cheap? What is the amount of the formula you get for the price? Does it get used up too quickly? How long can you expect to use it for before you have to buy a new one?

With only one exception - the Somxl cream - all of the items in our guide are quite inexpensive. You don’t have to shell out a bucket load of cash to get your hands on these preparations, and they will last you quite some time.

Since all of the items are used by the drop, almost literally, it is expected that it takes a while before you arrive at the end of the packaging. In some cases, you will be using the first product you bought even months after beginning with your treatment. Which is a great thing!

When it comes to their cost and value, there’s not much you should worry about. Even the Somxl cream isn’t too expensive, in general terms, though it is the priciest formula we ran into. What matters is that you find a treatment which works for you, and which you think is absolutely worth the cost.