Unsightly, unappealing, and sometimes just downright gross, warts can become a major confidence downer for many people. Despite being harmless, no one really wants to walk around with an attention-grabbing wart jutting out of their skin.
Thankfully, numerous wart removal treatments have been developed through the years, and most of these can be used without the help of a dermatologist. Allowing you to get rid of unsightly warts from the comfort of home, OTC wart removers are easy, convenient, and effective solutions for fast wart resolution.
Learn more about the specifics of OTC wart treatments, what you need to know to choose one, and which ones are the best over the counter wart remover options with this in-depth guide.
Top 10 Over the Counter Wart Removers Chart
| Picture | Name | Form | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Compound W Wart Remover, Maximum Strength, Fast-Acting Gel, 0.25-Ounce | Gel | $$ | 4.4 |
 | 2. Duofilm Liquid Salicylic Acid Wart Remover - 1/3 Oz | Liquid | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 3. Compound W Freeze Off Wart Remover-8 applications | Liquid | $$ | 4.1 |
 | 4. Pristine Herbal Touch Wart Mole Vanish Remove with only ONE 20 minute application! | Cream | $$$$ | 3.9 |
 | 5. Curad Mediplast Corn, Callus & Wart Remover, 2 pads | Pads | $ | 3.9 |
 | 6. Compound W Wart Remover One Step Pads, 14 Count | Pads | $ | 3.8 |
 | 7. Compound W Wart Remover Liquid, Maximum Strength, 0.31 Fl Oz | Liquid | $ | 4.1 |
 | 8. Dr. Scholl's Plantar Wart Removal System-24 ct. | Pads | $$ | 3.6 |
 | 9. BuyNaturally Skin Tag & Wart Remover Kit | Scrub | $$$ | 3.3 |
 | 10. Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover, 7 Treatments, Box | Liquid | $$ | 3.3 |
What Should You Consider When Buying Wart Removers?
Over the counter wart removers can come in many forms. Unfortunately, because your body is unique, it may or may not respond to the options that those around you have found effective.
While there isn’t a clear-cut way to determine which product will work best for you, taking the time to think about these factors will help you narrow your options and select the best over the counter wart remover that will work positively for you.
- Form. Creams, ointments, gels, and pads – OTC wart removers come in many different forms. While each one has its benefits and conveniences, not all of them will provide you the ease-of-use and results you might prefer. Learning more about how each one works to remove a wart should help you determine which one is best suited for your situation:
- Creams and Ointments. These products are commonly formulated with ingredients that help dissolve warts and other similar skin blemishes like skin tags. The application is easy and straightforward, but care needs to be taken to ensure that no product makes contact with unaffected areas of skin.
- Gels and Liquids. Products that come in the form of a gel or liquid are usually placed as a dollop on top of the wart and then left for several minutes to work. The main difference from creams is that these products are often formulated to ‘freeze’ off warts instead of dissolving them with chemicals.
- Pads and Stickers. Medicated adhesive patches are placed over the wart to soak the area with the removing substance. These also help to cut off air circulation to the wart so that it becomes smaller and weaker for it to fall off eventually.
- Active Ingredients. The reason why it’s ideal to check the label for ingredients is that this will help you learn more about the efficacy of your chosen wart remover. The most common active ingredients that can be found in wart remover products are:
- Salicylic Acid. Works to soften up abnormal skin growths and dissolves them over time. Salicylic acid is also commonly found in other skincare products but has been known to cause some irritation especially if applied in larger quantities.
- Dimethyl Ether and Propane. Together, these two ingredients create a cryogenic effect, freezing off abnormal skin cells and killing warts after a few applications.
- Thuja Occidentalis. More commonly incorporated into homeopathic remedies, this plant extract has been known to soften up warts and work them off of the skin after several applications.
- Number of Treatments Necessary. Products that promise to remove warts in as little as a single application are often most preferred by buyers. After all, the faster you can remove a wart, the sooner you can enjoy clear, radiant skin.
However, just because a wart remover promises to work faster, doesn’t always mean it’s the best option available. Why?
Stronger formulations almost always cause greater irritation especially in people with sensitive skin. Because these products were formulated to kill of warts, any neighboring areas of skin could become damaged by the formulation.
Your skin should also play a role in your decision. If you know that your skin is more likely to negatively react to potent formulations, it would be much safer for you to opt for a product that takes more time to produce results.
Top 3 Best Over the Counter Wart Remover Reviews
1. Compound W Wart Remover Fast-Acting Gel
Compound W is one of the leaders in wart removal products. Having released a multitude of different formulations that come in a variety of forms, Compound W promises effective wart removal for all skin types.
Among their most popular products is the Compound W Wart Remover Maximum Strength Fast Acting Gel. Containing 17% Salicylic Acid, this formulation proves to be one of the toughest, most potent ones on the market yet.
Because this main active ingredient has been noted to cause irritation in some users, the Compound W Fast Acting Gel is contained in an easy-squeeze tube that allows users to target the wart only, thus limiting any adverse reactions throughout the surrounding skin.
2. Duofilm Liquid Salicylic Acid Wart Remover
This liquid product has also been considered the best over the counter wart remover numerous times, thanks to its effective formulation. Containing the ever reliable wart removal ingredient, salicylic acid, the Duofilm Liquid Salicylic Acid Wart Remover is an easy, safe, and relatively quick solution for wart removal.
The package comes with the liquid formula and 20 pieces of wart cover up pads that protect the healing skin from further trauma and damage. These pads can also be used after application to prevent the liquid formula from seeping on other areas of skin.
3. Compound W Freeze Off Wart Remover-8 applications
Allowing users to perform cryogenic treatment on their warts at home, Compound W Freeze Off Wart Remover is one of the safest freezing agents for wart removal purposes.
The formulation contains dimethyl ether and propane, which work together to encase the wart in a cold environment, dry it out, and kill it off. While it is highly effective and much faster acting compared to other products, it’s also relatively painful. Expect some stinging and mild pain upon application.