Safely remove your latest manicure with these non-toxic nail polish remover options!
Are you thinking about switching out your usual nail polish remover for a non-toxic nail polish remover?
Most nail polish removers use acetone and other strong chemicals to remove the polish from your nails. And these ingredients work great.
But they are hard on your nails. They can leave your nail and the surrounding skin dry and brittle. Plus, they literally stink! I always get a massive headache from traditional removers.
There are many non-toxic alternatives that safely remove your latest manicure, while also nourishing your fingernail’s skin. But which brands are the best non-toxic nail polish removers?
If you are ready to make the switch, I’ve got eight you should try!
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Does a Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover Even Exist?
Just like there is no true non-toxic nail polish, there is truly no non-toxic nail polish remover.
Nail polish is paint.And paint is toxic. End of story.
It is made from polymer, which is dissolved in a solvent. When you paint your nails, that solvent evaporates, leaving the polymer to create a plastic-y film on your nail.
But there are plenty of low-tox nail polish options out there! I have a list of my favorites right here.
If you want to remove the plastic finish from your nails, you need to break it down again. Or chip it off.
Chipping the paint off isn’t a great solution, though, because it can remove layers of healthy nail.
So, while there are safer options than acetone nail polish removers, no nail polish remover is truly non-toxic.
Common Nail Polish Remover Ingredients to Avoid
Some ingredients in traditional nail polish removers, such as isopropyl acetone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and n-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP), can cause reproductive harm and organ toxicity.
Isopropyl acetone can cause respiratory and eye irritation, headaches, and nausea.
MEK can cause headaches, eye, and respiratory irritation as well. It can also create memory difficulties, muscular and joint pain, chest pain, sleep disorders, dizziness, and drowsiness.
NMP is not at all nice to your skin. It induces dermatitis and causes swelling and itchiness. It also causes headaches and eye irritation.
And you’ll definitely want to avoid acetone.
Acetone supposedly isn’t all that bad for you, unless ingested. But it smells horrible! It’s what gives conventional polish removers that fumy smell.
Acetone works by breaking down the nail polish so that you can wipe it away. But the harsh chemical can dry out your nail bed, cuticles, and nails.
Check your label. Harmful ingredients can show up under these names:
- Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK)
- 2-butanone
- 3-butanone
- Acetone
- N-methyl-pyrrolidone (NMP)
- N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone
- Isopropyl acetone
- Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)
- Hexone 2-pentanone
If you see any of them, consider finding a safer alternative.
Natural Nail Polish Remover Ingredients to Look for
Non-toxic nail polish removers are most often acetone-free nowadays. They can also be paraben-free, cruelty-free, and organic; all things we look for in our clean beauty products.
Some formulas include soy-based or other plant-based ingredients. Some even add essential oils and other nourishing ingredients, to moisturize your nail beds and the sensitive skin around your nails.
You can also look for a nail polish remover that has propylene carbonate in it.
Propylene carbonate is a gentler solvent than acetone is, but it also doesn’t work as quickly or as easily.
Consider a Soy Nail Polish Remover
A soy-based nail polish remover will condition and nourish your nails. Soy is less likely to irritate your skin as well.
In fact, a soy-based nail polish remover will actually strengthen your nails over time. Who doesn’t want that?!?
Soy-based nail polish removers don’t work as quickly as conventional polish removers, though. If you go this route, you’ll need to let the polish remover sit on your nails for a bit, before wiping the polish off.
And you should know that soy-based nail polish removers are a bit oily. So, you’ll want to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after removing your polish.
Does Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover Damage Nails?
No polish remover is fully 100% natural and non-toxic. Acetone-free nail polish removers can also contain harmful chemicals and solvents.
Remember, something has to break down that plasticky film on your nails before you can simply wipe it away.
Plus, the gentler ingredients of some non-toxic nail polish removers just do not strip the polish away as fast and easily as acetone does.
Sometimes, to remove the polish, you will need to scrub the nail a bit more aggressively than you would with an acetone polish remover. And this can harm your nails.
So, while non-acetone polish removers are better for your nails than an acetone remover, they still aren’t perfect. The rough scrubbing can still damage your nail.
There is no perfect option, except to go polish-free.
The Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish Removers:
If a natural buff isn’t your choice, then use these non-toxic nail polishes, and when you are ready to remove them, give one of these non-toxic nail polish removers a try.
They are the best on the market, in my humble opinion.
Zoya Nail Polish Remover 3 in 1 Formula
This 3-in1 formula is a polish remover, nail prepper, and nail conditioner, all rolled into one.
Not only does it remove your old polish, but it also conditions, moisturizes, fortifies, and nourishes your nail plates! This nail polish remover is gentle on your skin too, even for the most sensitive hands.
It easily removes polish, even if you apply three to five layers of polish. The Zoya Nail Polish Remover wipes it all away! It works on glitter polish, too.
It does not remove gel polish, however.
Cost: An 8 oz. bottle costs $12 on Amazon
Cote Nail Polish Remover Towelettes
The Cote Nail Polish Remover comes in individually wrapped wipes.
These wipes are amazing if you are on the go and need to remove your polish for any reason. You can keep one in your purse for emergencies. But they aren’t very environmentally friendly.
If you are prone to spilling polish remover, or you hate how the cotton balls get all sticky and goopy, then you might like these wipes. One wipe will do ten fingers or ten toes.
Cote polish remover is made from propylene carbonate, tocopheryl acetate, alcohol, horsetail extract, rosemary leaf extract, aloe barbadenis leaf juice, and natural Tuscan blood orange oil blend.
It has a citrusy orange scent and smells absolutely amazing.
Cost: 8 wipes will cost you $14 on the Cote site
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
While no nail polish remover is perfectly non-toxic, there are some ingredients you generally want to avoid. And fragrance is one of them.
This one wouldn’t normally make the list for me because fragrance is on the ingredient list. (If you want to learn why I’m against fragrance, read this post about greenwashing.)
But I’m bringing it up anyways because there’s a lot of interest in this product. Also, it is EWG verified, which is pretty hard to get.
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover is made from methyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, and fragrance. They do not use acetone.
It works great! It easily removes the darkest shades, without drying out the nails. It also removes wraps and multiple layers of polish.
Cost: A 2-pack of 6 oz. bottles sells for $16.47 on Amazon
Kure Bazaar Nail Polish Remover
Kure Bazaar makes their polish remover from sugar cane, wheat, and corn. It is also infused with rosehip oil and rosewater, for extra moisturizing benefits. They do not use acetone or ethyl acetate in their formula.
It’s crazy expensive though!
It works great, but you have to be a little bit patient. It doesn’t remove the polish quickly, so you need to let it sit on your nails for a while.
However, it smells great and comes in a chic glass bottle.You can get it on The Detox Market, so you know it has to be good.
Cost: $38 for 8.5 oz. on Detox Market
Buy Kure Bazaar Nail Polish Remover
Karma Organic Beauty Natural Soybean Lavender Nail Polish Remover
Karma Organic Beauty Natural Soybean Lavender Nail Polish Remover has no harsh solvents. It is acetone and ethanol free. It is instead made from propylene carbonate.
It also has soybean oil, lavender essential oil, and vitamin E, all of which leave your nails feeling soft and beautiful. It is awesome for sensitive hands!
Whenever you remove acetone and ethanol, however, you have to be ready to scrub more.
This polish remover is rated a #1 by EWG, but you give up “quick and easy” for “safe and nourishing”. Since this one has no solvents to break down the nail film, you’ll have to let it sit a bit and then scrub.
But it works well! It removes a variety of formulas, from glitters to mattes. It even removes Color Street Strips, if those are your thing.
It doesn’t work on gels or acrylic, however.
Cost: $12 for 4 oz. on the Karma site, or $11.99 on Amazon
Ella + Mila Unscented Soy Nail Polish Remover
Ella and Mila is one of the most popular acetone-free nail polish removers. It won’t dry out your skin or damage the nails and cuticles.
In fact, Ella and Mila include a lot of moisturizing ingredients, such as Vitamins A, C, and E, as well as lavender essential oil, which promotes healthy, moisturized nails.
The bottle also lasts a long time – a little bit of this polish remover goes a long way.
It’ll remove nail stickers, but brighter colors are harder to remove, and it won’t remove gel.
The essential oils make your nails look great and healthy.
Cost: a 4 oz. bottle will cost you $11.50 on their site, or $11.49 on Amazon
Piggy Paint Natural Nail Polish Remover
Piggy Paint is probably the best non-toxic nail polish remover for pregnancy, since it is made with kids in mind.
It is made from corn-derived ethyl alcohol. It doesn’t smell as nice as some of the other options, but it doesn’t smell as strong as acetone removers, either.
They added aloe vera and vitamin E, to nourish your nails. It is a little harder to use than some of the other options. You’ll have to thoroughly soak your nails for five minutes before wiping the polish off.
Cost: $7.99 for 4 oz. on their site, $10.99 on Amazon
Olive and June Polish Remover Pot
This little pot is powerful!
You don’t need cotton balls or wipes to remove your nail polish.
The Olive and June Polish Remover Pot comes with a sponge, soaked in remover, right in the pot. All you need to do is take the lid off, insert your finger, and wiggle it around a bit.
Easy peasy!
The Olive and June formula is acetone-free, but it is not alcohol-free. It is made from ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, alcohol, and water.
Although I love the little pot, and how easy it is to use, one downside is that it does not have any nourishing ingredients in the formula. A little essential oil would have been nice!
But still, you gotta love the Olive and June Polish Remover Pot.And it’s really handy if you mess up on one nail! All you have to do is put the one finger in, wiggle it around, and presto!
You’re ready to repaint that nail. And you didn’t have to risk messing up any more nails by monkeying around with polish remover and a cotton ball.
Cost: A 2 oz. bottle goes for $9.99 at Target or $10.00 at Olive and June
Before You Go!
I know non-toxic nail polish removers can often get a bad rap. Sometimes you get a brand that doesn’t actually remove the polish. Or, they remove it…but with a lot of scrubbing on your part.
But these non-toxic nail polish removers really do work! And many of them nourish your skin and nails, in the process.
And if you need some non-toxic nail polish to go with your remover, be sure to check out my favorite non-toxic nail polish brands! There’s something for everybody in that post.
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