When it comes to saying goodbye to your week-old nail color or that gel manicure that's starting to lose its initial luster, mastering the art of nail polish removal is essential. However, the process doesn't have to be harsh on your nails. Approach it like another step in your nail care routine and trust—it’ll make all the difference.
Nailing the Basics: Acetone vs. Acetone-Free Nail Polish Remover
Deciding between acetone and acetone-free nail polish removers often boils down to two things: the current state of your nail health and of course, the type of polish you’re trying to remove. While acetone is efficient at stripping away polish swiftly, it can also be drying and harsh on your nails—leading to brittleness and dehydration. On the flip side, acetone-free alternatives are gentler, preserving your nails' natural moisture while effectively removing polish without the same level of aggressiveness.
Our best advice is to go acetone-free wherever and whenever possible. Save acetone-based removers for when you need a fresh start for gels or acrylics.
...The Best Techniques for Removing Nail Polish
Removing regular nail polish is a breeze with our Strengthening Lacquer Remover. Simply saturate a cotton ball or pad with the liquid and press it onto your nail for a few seconds, then gently wipe away your lakur. Repeat as needed until your nails are clean and refreshed.
If you’re on the go traveling or have super dry, brittle nails, our Conditioning Lacquer Remover Pads are a dream. Each pad is pre-soaked in an acetone-free remover that also deeply nourishes nails with an Aloe Juice and antioxidant Vitamin E formula, leaving your fingertips feeling fresh, moisturized, and polish-free.
The Best Techniques for Removing Gel Polish
Gel polish removal can be a bit more labor-intensive than regular polish. The best method involves soaking cotton pads in an acetone-based remover like our Prep & Remove Lacquer Remover, which we created specifically for gel polish removal and took special care in making it wouldn’t leave nails dehydrated or damaged.
Apply these pre-soaked pads to your nails, secure in place with tin foil, and let them sit for several minutes to break down the gel polish before gently scraping it off with a cuticle pusher. Repeat if needed, but you should be able to remove any remaining gel polish just by rubbing a saturated cotton pad over your nails.
Do note that though it’s common practice to soak your fingers for easy removal, prolonged exposure can dehydrate and weaken your nails. Using the method above—and choosing a nail polish remover that isn’t as harsh as pure acetone—helps protect your nail, cuticle, and skin health during the removal process.
How to Remove Nail Polish - Best Technique
Everyone wishes to make their nails look radiant and vibrant, but you must remove your previous coat to apply a new design for a charming appearance. You will require nail polish remover (preferably acetone-free), cotton balls or pads, aluminum foil, and a nail file to remove nail polish effectively. You can start by filing your nails and the paint's surface and then soaking a cotton ball in the remover, placing the ball on your nail, rubbing gently, or covering it in aluminum foil and leaving for ten minutes. Then, you can remove the foil, wash your hands, and moisturize.
What Chemicals are Used in Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish removers usually contain harsh chemicals like acetone, ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, and butyl acetate. These chemicals are preferred as they can easily break down the polymers that are present in the nail paint and clean it effectively, but these chemicals are harsh to the skin and make it extremely dry, which can cause problems. People have started opting for acetone-free nail polish remover to prevent any damage to the skin and its natural barriers.