How to Remove Bandage Adhesive from Skin

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Sophie Burkholder, BA

Last Updated: November 6, 2024 Fact Checked

Tearing off a sticky bandage can be painful, and dealing with the irritating nuisance of leftover adhesive only adds to the headache. Luckily, there are many ways to remove bandage adhesive. Regardless of method, take care to use only light pressure and abrasion. Any scrubbing or scraping will affect your skin as well as the adhesive. Different adhesive products respond to different treatments, so don't become discouraged if you fail to experience success on your first attempt. With a little time and effort you should be able to remove this irritating residue.

Getting Bandage Adhesive off Your Skin

Wipe the adhesive off with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover. As an alternative, soak in a warm bath to soften the adhesive or coat it with oil or petroleum jelly. Another removal method is to cover the adhesive with ice.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Easy Household Remedies

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1
Bathe in warm water. Warmth and moisture tends to make the adhesive in many bandages more pliable.^{[1]
X
Research source} One convenient way to soak the sticky area in warm water is to simply take a bath or shower. The adhesive may come off on its own, or may need a little gentle scrubbing from a washrag or mild abrasive pad.
- If you don't have time to take a bath or shower, just fill a bowl or pan with warm water and soak the affected area. This works best if you can let the adhesive soak for a long time. Try this remedy while you're reading or watching television.
2
Coat with a mild cooking oil. A few drops of olive, canola, vegetable, coconut, or sunflower oil can help remove adhesive from the skin. Oils can dissolve the cyanoacrylate bond that’s found in most adhesives.^{[2]
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- For best results, work the oil into the affected area with a little gentle action from a soft rag or cotton swab. You don't need much—your goal is to lightly coat the skin, not drench it. Let the oil soak for a moment or two before rubbing gently with a soft towel or cotton ball. Repeat as needed to get all the adhesive off.
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Cover the ice with a paper towel to prevent it from sticking to skin and leave in place for five minutes. The cooling qualities of ice are often able to neutralize sticky adhesives, making the residue more brittle and easier to remove.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Common Skin Care Products

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Soak residue with baby oil. Baby oil works using the same principles as cooking oils, either by dissolving the adhesive or releasing its grip upon skin. An added benefit is that most baby oils are made to be especially gentle, making this a great choice for delicate or tender skin.^{[4]
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- Most baby oils are simply mineral oil with a small amount of scent added. You can use pure mineral oil as an alternative to baby oil—often, it is slightly cheaper.^{[5]
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- If you're removing adhesive from a child's skin, try adding a drop of food coloring to the baby oil and using it to "paint" the affected area. The oil will remove the adhesive and the coloring will provide a fun distraction.
2
Apply a gentle lotion. Since most lotions have an oil or lipid (fat) base, they can work for removing adhesive just like baby oil or cooking oils.^{[6]
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Research source} Rub in a small amount of lotion, let it sit for several minutes, and rub with a gentle towel or cotton ball.
- Unscented lotions are best. The chemicals used for added fragrances can sometimes cause pain and rashes on irritated skin.^{[7]
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3
Use a warm compress in combination with baby oil, lotion, or some form of cooking oil. Since warmth loosens many of the adhesives used in bandages, you can use it to make these materials more effective.^{[8]
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Research source} Warm water will wash off the oil or lotion, so use a warm compress instead. Our article on warm compresses details several easy ways to do this.
- Try filling a tube sock most of the way with dry, uncooked rice. Tie a knot in the open end to keep the rice in. Microwave the compress in 30-second increments until it is warm, but not too hot to handle.^{[9]
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  Research source} Hold the compress over the adhesive as you let the oil or lotion soak in.
- Place a rag between the compress and the skin if you are worried about getting the sock greasy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Chemical Products

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1
Apply rubbing alcohol. Also known as isopropyl alcohol, this common household cleaner is inexpensive and can usually be found at grocery and discount stores.^{[10]
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Go to source} Rubbing alcohol is very effective at dissolving some types of adhesive. Apply a small amount with a Q-tip or cotton ball, let it sit briefly, and rub gently to remove.
- Rubbing alcohol can dry out and irritate skin, especially in delicate areas like the face. Use only a few drops at a time and allow your skin to rest between uses.^{[11]
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2
Moisten with nail polish remover. The active ingredient in most nail polish removers is acetone, a chemical solvent. Acetone also works as a solvent for many common glues and adhesives, dissolving them on contact.^{[12]
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Research source} Rub a small amount into the affected area and let it sit for a few moments, then continue rubbing gently to remove.
- Acetone can have a similar drying or irritating effect on the skin as rubbing alcohol, so take similar precautions.^{[13]
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- If you can find it, pure acetone works just as well as nail polish remover.
- Exercise care in using acetone; it is a highly flammable substance and thus should not be used in combination with heat.^{[14]
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- Avoid using non-acetone nail polish removers as they will not contain the solvent required to dissolve the bandage residue.
3
Coat with petroleum jelly. Products like Vaseline made out of petroleum jelly work like oils and lotions to remove adhesive from the skin. A unique benefit is that petroleum jelly is extra-thick, so it's easy to let it sit for a long time (though its greasiness makes this unpleasant for some). Simply work a thin layer into the affected skin and let it sit undisturbed for five to ten minutes, then wipe off with a gentle rag or paper towels.^{[15]
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- Petroleum jelly is very hydrating and won't dry out your skin.^{[16]
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  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}
4
Employ a pharmacy-grade adhesive remover. These products are specially designed to remove the types of adhesives found in bandages.^{[17]
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Research source} Adhesive removers are generally manufactured either as sprays or disposable wipes. They are a little more expensive and harder to find than the methods above, but they work especially well.
- You may be able to find these products at your local pharmacy. If not, a wide variety are available for order online. Prices vary from product to product but typically range between $10–$25 per bottle or package.
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Rinse with soap and water after using a chemical solution. Many chemical products (especially rubbing alcohol, acetone, and some adhesive removers) can irritate the skin if they are in contact with it for too long. To avoid this, make sure to wash the area with soap and water after each use of these chemicals. This will help remove them from the skin and reduce irritation.^{[18]
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- If you aren't able to get all of the adhesive off your skin at once, consider waiting a day before you repeat use of a harsh chemical again. The break will give your skin a chance to rest and recover. Alternatively, combine a chemical treatment with one of the gentler solutions.
- Apply a moisturizer after washing with soap and water since soap can dry your skin out.^{[19]
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  Mohiba Tareen, MD
  FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}

Expert Q&A

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Question

What should I do if my skin gets red and irritated?

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

Mohiba Tareen, MD

FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Answer

Red and irritated skin could be a sign that you're scrubbing at the adhesive too much. Over-exfoliation can cause redness, cracks in your skin, and burning. Take a break from scrubbing at the adhesive and apply a moisturizer to soothe your skin.

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Question

What do I do if the adhesive is still there after rinsing with hot water?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

Apply an oil or lotion to see if that helps remove the adhesive. Scrubbing it with soap may help, too.

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Question

How do I remove a tough strip on my skin?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

I believe in the all or nothing method. You have to be committed to removing it all at once and very quickly to reduce pain and discomfort.

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Tips

Be patient—medical adhesives will naturally degrade and rub off on their own over time.^{[20]
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Apply moisturizer after using any chemicals or drying products. Moisturizers that contain ceramide, glycerine, shea butter, or dimethicone are great at hydrating the skin.^{[21]
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Expert Interview. 26 March 2020.}

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Rubbing alcohol sometimes comes in the form of convenient single-use medical wipes. Look for "alcohol preps" or "alcohol pads" in the first aid section of your local department store.

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Using good-quality bandages can help reduce the amount of residue left on your skin.
Makeup remover can also help remove bandage adhesive on your skin.

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Warnings

Rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover will sting open wounds, broken or sensitive skin.^{[22]
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Rubbing alcohol may affect delicate fabrics.^{[23]
X
Research source} Be careful to apply it only to the adhesive-covered skin and dispose of used pads carefully.

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