Going, Going, Gone—18 Polish Removers That Give Your Nails a Flawless Fresh Start

Admit it—no matter how frequently you schedule your appointments to pop into the nail salon or do manicures in the comfort of your own home, there is one product you'll always need to make the magic happen: nail polish remover. As unglamorous as the product may seem, it's important for maintaining the health of your nails between stunning nail designs. However, the beauty mainstay doesn't always make us want to reach for it due to its strong fragrance, unwanted leaks, and less-than-aesthetic packaging that plagues the beauty cabinets of polish enthusiasts.

How do you go about finding the best nail polish remover for your nails that far surpasses high expectations? With the help of celebrity manicurists and educators Julie Kandalec and Deborah Lippmann, we're setting off on the mission of erasing everything you thought you knew about nail polish removers in hopes of starting completely fresh. Believe it or not, nail polish removers now come in new formulas that are easier to use and, in some cases, cleaner than ever.

A mocha manicure created by international manicurist Georgia Rae.

(Image credit: @raelondonnails)

The Ingredients Behind Nail Polish Removers

When it comes to determining what to look for in your nail polish remover, it all comes down to what you'd like to gain from using it. Sure, it's easy to say that you'd just like a product to remove polish from the surface of your nails effectively and quickly, but it's also worth paying attention to what makes up their formulas. According to Kandalec, many nail polish removers are crafted with a popular solvent: acetone. Non-acetone removers often use ethyl acetate or methyl ethyl keytone as its active ingredient, the ingredient that quickly melts away the polish.

If you have sensitive skin or would prefer to use nail polish removers with clean formulas, consider shopping for ones free of acetone as well as harmful parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and synthetic fragrance. If you want to take it one step further, keep an eye out for products touting formulas infused with essential oils, vitamins, and extracts that can nourish and fortify your nails and the delicate skin surrounding them.

Now that you know which ingredients are often used in nail polish removers, it's helpful to know how they affect the health and appearance of nails before, during, and after you've used them. "Acetone can be drying, but that is easily remedied by applying an emollient cuticle oil to replenish any oils lost during the short removal period. The FDA doesn't categorize acetone as a toxic ingredient," Kandalec tells us. She also shares that many removers contain fatty oils and essential oils that prevent overdrying such as aloe vera, lavender, rose hip extract, and vitamins A, C, and E.

How to Gently and Effectively Remove Polish

Removing your nail polish shouldn't take much time or effort, so you should use a trustworthy remover that can make the process easy. "If you have really strong nails, you can use an acetone remover with treatment properties," says Lippmann. She doesn't recommend using acetone on its own without the addition of softening ingredients. To gently and effectively remove nail polish, she recommends taking a thin cotton pad saturated in remover and laying a piece on each fingernail, one hand at a time.

Hold another piece of remover-saturated cotton over the first nail you started with to remove the polish instead of pulling and/or tugging too hard on the cuticle area, which can cause weak nails and breakage. To address any residual polish left on the sides of your nails, she suggests using a thin paintbrush for a quick and easy cleanup. Finish with a nourishing nail and cuticle oil as well as an antioxidant-packed hand cream to pump up the hydration.

Ready to upgrade your nailcare routine? Keep scrolling for our list of the best beauty-editor and expert-approved nail polish removers that can melt away your polish, gel, and more in a quick swipe.

The Best Nail Polish Removers, Listed

Minimalistic milky white nail design by Imarni Nails.

(Image credit: @imarninails)

Shiny black nails by celebrity nail artist Iram Shelton.

(Image credit: @iramshelton)

A barely-there nail look by manicurist Julia Diogo.

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

A glowy manicure by international nail artist Julia Diogo.

(Image credit: @paintedbyjools)

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Maya Thomas
Assistant Beauty Editor
Maya Thomas is Who What Wear's assistant beauty editor based just outside of Seattle, Washington. Her strong love for all things beauty and fashion stems from a strong childhood interest in the fine arts. During a gap year spent in Paris studying the history of French fashion, she shifted her focus to English literature and journalism as a student at Loyola Marymount University with the goal of one day pursuing a career in fashion. After graduating in May 2021, Maya began freelancing for Parade.com as a contributing commerce writer while also building a following on her lifestyle blog, Itsmayalala.com. When she's not writing, Maya spends her free time catching up on reading, perusing art galleries, and enjoying a night out at the ballet every now and then.