Gel, Acrylic, and More: A Nail Expert Says These Are the 14 Best Nail Polish Removers (2024)

Nail polish remover is an essential part of every DIY manicurist's kit. In addition to eliminating all traces of lacquer, it can prep the nails for fresh paint, create a clean line for French tips, and tidy up around the edges. "The main ingredients in nail polish remover are acetone, isopropyl alcohol, or ethyl acetate," says nail artist Syreeta Aaron. These powerful solvents dissolve the polymers found in nail lacquer. "The polish breaks down, changing the hardened polish into a liquid form for easy wipe-off," she adds.

Of course, not all formulas are created equal. Acetone tends to be the quickest and most effective, though it can be pretty harsh on your nail beds with continued use. There are acetone-free removers that are a bit gentler on nails and still get the job done, which you'll also find on this list. To uncover top-tier options, we conducted hours of research on the best nail polish removers, evaluating each formula on its key ingredients and how well they work to remove all traces of polish. We also considered how easy the product is to dispense, as well as other factors, like if a formula has extra benefits for your nails, nail beds, and cuticles. The following are the best in show.

Our Top Picks

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What We Like

  • Pump top

  • Spill-proof container

  • Award-winning formula

What to Consider

  • Strong smell

Key Ingredients: Acetone, glycerin | Amount: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Our number one pick is Zoya Remove+. This nail polish remover gets rid of any shade of lacquer, dark or light, opaque or glittery. (Note: the main ingredient is 2-propanone, the chemical name for acetone). It also works as a pre-polish nail prepper, dissolving oily residues and leaving you with a clean canvas. But that's not all. The three-in-one formula contains glycerin to hydrate and condition your nail beds, cuticles, and the surrounding skin. We also appreciate the user-friendly pump-top bottle and spill-proof design.

What We Like

  • Affordable

  • Works quickly

  • Expert-recommended

What to Consider

  • Strong smell

  • Can be harsh on cuticles

Key Ingredients: Acetone | Amount: 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Cutex has been around forever and is a classic," says Aaron. "I like it because they offer a few different options, such as a remover with vitamin E and nutrients." This powerful nail polish remover can easily dissolve all types of lacquer, including salon-grade UV gel. Not only is it inexpensive, but also only a little is needed to remove even the toughest polish—so it can last you for a long time.

What We Like

  • Works quickly

  • Great value

  • Expert-recommended

What to Consider

  • Harsh on cuticles

Key Ingredients: Acetone | Amount: 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Acetone is a more powerful solvent, so it will break down a lot faster," says Aaron. If you're looking for something containing nothing more than acetone, she recommends Onyx. You can use this product to remove regular polish or soak off gel lacquer. For French nails, dip a small brush in and swipe it horizontally over your painted tips to create a clean line.

What We Like

  • Easy to use

  • Mess-free

  • Gentle yet effective

What to Consider

  • Not ideal for toes

Key Ingredients: Ethyl acetate, butyl acetate | Amount: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pink pot from Olive & June makes for easy-peasy, mess-free polish removal. The acetone-free formula leans on ethyl and butyl acetates to gently yet effectively erase all lacquer and prep your nail beds for your next manicure. It has a special sponge-top lid that you can use to remove the polish, so you won't need cotton wipes to soak the remover in.

What We Like

  • Travel-friendly

  • Works quickly

  • Replenishes nail beds

What to Consider

  • Single-use product

Key Ingredients: Acetone, vitamin E, aloe vera | Amount: 10 wipes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Butter London Nail Scrubbers are not only convenient and travel-friendly, but they also do an impressive job removing the most stubborn, dark, or glittery polish. These one-swipe-wonders are soaked in acetone to quickly eliminate all traces of lacquer, plus vitamin E and aloe to prevent irritation and replenish your nail beds.

What We Like

  • Gentle yet effective

  • Fortifying

  • Eco-friendly packaging

What to Consider

  • Not fast-acting

Key Ingredients: Propylene carbonate, aloe vera, rosehip extract | Amount: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Finding a nail polish remover that is both gentle and effective can be challenging. The Rose Soak contains propylene carbonate, a less harsh acetone alternative, plus soothing, fortifying ingredients like aloe vera and rosehip extract. We love the chic packaging that will look great on your vanity, and you can also recycle it when you're done.

What We Like

  • Acetone- and alcohol-free

  • Gentle yet effective

  • Moisturizing

What to Consider

  • Not fast-acting

Key Ingredients: Dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, jojoba oil, vitamin E | Amount: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This nail polish remover from Ella+Mila doesn't contain any acetone or alcohol, which can be drying. It effectively removes lacquer of any shade and replenishes the nail beds with a dose of moisturizing jojoba oil and soothing vitamin E. Another plus is that it doesn't have a harsh smell, making it a great choice for those with sensitive noses.

What We Like

  • Works quickly

  • Nondrying

  • Award-winning formula

What to Consider

  • Small amount of product

Key Ingredients: Acetone, aloe vera, lavender essential oil | Amount: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Darker colors are harder to remove," says Aaron, explaining that acetone-based formulas are usually best for deep nail polish shades. Deborah Lippmann's cheekily named The Stripper works quickly and effectively, calling on aloe vera to prevent dryness and lavender essential oil to mask the strong smell of acetone.

What We Like

  • Gentle formula

  • Nondrying

  • Minimal ingredients

What to Consider

  • Not ideal for dark colors

Key Ingredients: Methyl acetate | Amount: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"If you're removing regular lacquer, acetone can be too harsh, so just a basic polish remover is best," says Aaron. This acetone-free formula from People of Color effortlessly dissolves sheer-colored polish with methyl acetate, promising not to dry out your nail beds.

What We Like

  • Works quickly

  • Replenishes nail beds

  • Soothes irritated skin

What to Consider

  • Harsh on cuticles

  • Strong smell

Key Ingredients: Acetone, aloe vera | Amount: 2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Acetone tends to strip away the oils and not necessarily replenish the vitamins and nutrients in the nail, which makes it best for a gel polish," says Aaron. With this in mind, Sally Hansen's gel remover contains soothing aloe and moisturizing grape seed oil to replenish your nail beds.

What We Like

  • Generous amount

  • Doesn't dry out the skin

  • Effective on stubborn polish

What to Consider

  • Strong smell

Key Ingredients: Acetone | Amount: 32 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"If you need a professional product for gel removal, LeChat Perfect Match is my go-to," offers Aaron. This no-nonsense formula uses acetone to soak off stubborn shellac and gel lacquer within minutes. We also love that it doesn't dry out the skin or nail beds.

What We Like

  • Helps new polish stick

  • Won't cause irritation

  • Cruelty-free

What to Consider

  • Strong smell

Key Ingredients: Methyl acetate | Amount: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Mineral Fusion is not only great for removing polish but also for prepping your nails for a fresh coat of paint. As Aaron explains, it works by "dehydrating the nail of oils so the gel or enhancement will stick to it better." While it's powerful and can remove dark and glitter polishes with ease, it's gentle on the skin and won't cause dry, brittle nails. It's a great pick for those with allergies or sensitive skin as it's free of common irritants such as artificial color and synthetic fragrance.

What We Like

  • Can remove salon-quality nail polish and art

  • Has a small applicator for mess-free removal

  • Works quickly

What to Consider

  • Bottle leaks easily

Key Ingredients: Acetone | Amount: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Going back to the nail salon just to get your nails removed can be a pain, but this pure acetone remover can clean off absolutely everything—including nail art and acrylics. It works quickly as well, so preparing for your next style can be a breeze. We also love that it has a smaller opening to distribute the product easier without causing a mess.

What We Like

  • Gentle and hydrating

  • Lovely smell

  • Vegan and cruelty-free

What to Consider

  • Can take a while to remove polish completely

Key Ingredients: Propylene carbonate, glycerin, grapefruit peel oil | Amount: 3.38 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If the skin around your nails often feels dehydrated and flaky or you just have thin or sensitive nails, we recommend this pick from Dr. Dana. This nail polish remover adds hydration back in while dissolving nail lacquer, and it has an acetone-free formula that works effectively without causing irritation. It uses natural ingredients (grapefruit oil and rosemary leaf oil) to nourish the nails and cuticles—for nails that are simultaneously polish-free and soft.

What to Look for in a Nail Polish Remover

  • Acetone or Non-acetone: Acetone is great for breaking down more stubborn polishes (such as gel) as well as darker shades. “If you’ve been wearing reds and darker colors, they are harder to remove and clean away from in between the cuticle and nail plate,” Aaron explains. On the flip side, non-acetone-based formulas tend to be more hydrating and gentle, good if you’re just wearing a lighter color of normal polish, she says. FYI, typically nail salons only use acetone since it works equally well on all kinds of polish, including gels and acrylics, she adds.
  • Extra Nutrients: Unless you’re using a pure acetone remover, Aaron says to seek out formulas that contain extra hydrating ingredients. She cites vitamin E as one of her top picks.

FAQ

  • How does nail polish remover work?

    “A nail polish remover contains a powerful solvent that breaks down the polymer molecules. When this process takes place, the polish breaks down, changing the hardened polish into a liquid form that can easily be wiped off,” says Aaron.

  • What is the difference between acetone and nail polish remover?

    “Acetone is a more powerful solvent, so it will break down the polish a lot faster,” Aaron explains, adding that many removers, unless they specifically say “non-acetone,” may contain a small percentage of the ingredient. Both acetone and non-acetone remover break down the polish, but acetone is way more powerful.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in color cosmetics and lifestyle. She interviewed two sources for this story, including a professional manicurist and a nail care expert, who offers product recommendations and insight into active ingredients. Before narrowing down the final picks, she looked at dozens of formulas and referenced ingredients in several peer-reviewed journals.

Team Byrdie worked with an expert to inform this story:

  • Syreeta Aaron is an Alabama-based nail specialist, as well as an educator and brand ambassador for LeChat.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. Nassim J and Liu K. A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety. Harvard Health Publishing. Harvard Medical School. 2019.

  2. Becker LC, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Safety Assessment of Glycerin as Used in Cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2019;38(3_suppl):6S-22S. doi:10.1177/1091581819883820

  3. Abid Keen, M.; Hassan, I. Vitamin E in dermatology. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. July-August 2016; 7(4): 311–315. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.185494

  4. Kurowski G, et al. Active Ingredients in Paint Strippers. Chemistry. (2017). doi: 10.4467/2353737XCT.17.003.6100

  5. Mármol I, et al. Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species. International journal of molecular sciences vol. 18,6 1137. 25 May. 2017, doi:10.3390/ijms18061137

Gel, Acrylic, and More: A Nail Expert Says These Are the 14 Best Nail Polish Removers (2024)
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