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

Our Top Picks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.