6 Ways to Remove Nail Polish Without Using Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover quickly and effectively takes off your polish, but it often leaves nails and cuticles feeling dry or cracked. If you're looking to get rid of old polish without using a run-of-the-mill nail polish remover, there are actually a few alternative methods that will work—and feel better on your hands.

One of the main ingredients in what is generally acknowledged as "traditional" remover is acetone. "Acetone is very drying and harsh," says Brittney Boyce, a celebrity nail artist and founder of Nails of LA. "But [the removers] work really quickly."

Here's the thing: Non-acetone removers are gentler on the nails, but they need a little more time to be effective. Before starting any of the below removal processes, soak your nails in some warm water to expedite the process. According to Christine Koehler, the founder and CEO of Flora 1761, a clean nail polish company, water will expand your nail bed. This can help loosen the polish and prime your nails for one of the following alternative removal methods.

Rubbing Alcohol

According to Boyce, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer are two of the best ways to remove polish without needing an acetone remover. "Apply some to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail," Boyce says. "Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back-and-forth. Your nail polish should come off fairly quickly."

Additionally, an alcohol-based perfume can work in a pinch, but will require more product than if you just used plain rubbing alcohol, says Boyce (and you probably don't want to waste your precious fragrance!). Also keep in mind that the scent may be overpowering, so it definitely shouldn't be your first choice.

Vinegar and Orange Juice

Mix your favorite fruit juice with white vinegar and you've got a homemade solution for removing nail polish, says Sundays founder and CEO Amy Ling Lin. "Combine an equal amount of white vinegar and natural orange juice and mix together," she says. "Dip the cotton ball/pad in the mixture and press on your fingernails for about 10 seconds until the nail polish softens. Then, pull down the cotton pad to remove the polish."

Lemon

Ling Lin says that plain lemon can remove nail polish, too. Place a slice or lemon juice on your nails and let it sit until your polish softens before rubbing it off. Definitely skip this option if you have any small cuts or cracks in your cuticles—it will really sting.

Hairspray

Per Boyce, the myth that hairspray remove snail polish is absolutely true. "But it has to be aerosol hairspray," she says. "Saturate a cotton ball or cotton pad with hair spray and wrap the cotton on your nail."

Soy-Based Removers

Soy has become the preferred ingredient in non-acetone nail polish removers. The premise of soy-based removers, as well as the other proposed solutions, is to soften the polish, Ling Lin says. Acetone, she explains, is a solvent that dissolves polish. Soy-based removers, like the one developed by Sundays, will not react as quickly, but are a gentler option. You may need to wait up to 45 seconds after applying soy-based remover before you can scrub your nails with a cotton pad.

Toothpaste and Baking Soda

Basic white toothpaste not only polishes teeth, it can be used as a household cleaner to remove gunk, soap scum, and laundry stains (and polish silver, copper, chrome, and other metals). Best of all, it contains the solvent ethyl acetate, a common ingredient in some nail polish removers.

To use toothpaste to remove polish, rub the toothpaste into nails, increasing the abrasion (gently) with baking soda. Wipe off polish with cotton balls.

Post-Removal Care

After you've removed your polish by your chosen method, be sure to follow up with a little nail care. "Because [options like] rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizer can be dehydrating to the skin and nails, use a cuticle oil to re-moisturize your nail, cuticles, and surrounding skin," Boyce says.

On the other hand, caring for your nails doesn't necessarily mean fancy products are required. "You definitely just want to hydrate as much as possible to keep your nails healthy," Koehler says. "Proper diet is always good for strong nails, but hydration is just so important. Drink a lot of water, and then specifically, work on hydrating your nails."