Best Nail Polish Removers, According to Editors
Ready to Take Off Your Manicure? These Nail Polish Removers Make It Easy
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We can think of a few reasons you might want to take off your nail polish right now. For one, acetone can act like a sanitizing fairy godmother against bacteria on surfaces (except, you know, the painted ones) at a time we need it most. There's also a chance it's just . . . time, especially with salons closed across the country and your gel or dip powder manicure most likely well past its prime.
So, yeah, maybe nail polish removers aren't quite as sexy as the nail polish color itself, but that doesn't mean they aren't necessary. If you're looking to make the take-off process just a little more enjoyable, you have options. From easy-to-use acetone wipes that get the job done fast to touch-up pens that help you fix tiny polish mistakes, the innovative nail polish removers ahead are the among best on the market. After all: who says a clean slate has to be boring?
Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover
An editor (and manicurist) favorite for a reason, the Zoya Remove+ Nail Polish Remover ($10) is nothing if not a multitasker: not only does it whisk away polish (without drying out nails in the process), but it also conditions and primes the surface for your next manicure step.
Cutex Swipe and Go Nail Polish Remover Pads
Cutex had us at first swipe. No, really: each of the Cutex Swipe and Go Nail Polish Remover Pads ($7) are so generously soaked in acetone, one wipe will take care of all 10 fingers.
Sally Hansen No More Mistakes Manicure Clean Up Pen
If you can't paint between the lines during your DIY manicure, then this Sally Hansen No More Mistakes Manicure Clean Up Pen ($7) will be your new favorite nail tool. Use it on your skin to take off excess polish mistakes. Smart.
Ella+Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover
Not into acetone? No problem. The vegan and cruelty-free Ella+Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover ($11) uses a soy-based formula (plus a hit of lavender oil) to remove your color in no time. Just make sure to leave the soaked cotton ball on each nail for 30 seconds before moving onto the next to ensure it wipes away every last trace.
Sundays Nontoxic Gel Removal Kit
Going to the salon to have your gel manicure removed can be pricey and time-consuming, and when it's just not an option, the Sundays Nontoxic Gel Removal Kit ($50, originally $54) brings that luxury to you. You'll find everything you need in the set to get the job done at home, from foil and polish remover to wooden sticks and more.
Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover Moisturizing
If you suffer from brittle nails (and who doesn't from time to time?), try a gentler acetone solution with the Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover Moisturizing ($9).
Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Nail Polish Remover
Clumsy with every part of the manicure process (and not just when it applies to painting your nondominant hand)? The pro-grade, pump-action dispenser of the Deborah Lippmann The Stripper Nail Polish Remover ($19) actually makes it hard to create a mess — so you can go ahead and stop feeling like one.
Tenoverten Non-Acetone Polish Remover
Inhaling acetone isn't exactly pleasant, and those formulas can leave your nails with an alcoholic scent. NYC-based salon brand Tenoverten found a way to bring that same spa experience to your home. The Non-Acetone Polish Remover ($12) is not only free of acetone, but is also formulated with hydrating essential oils that leave your fingers feeling hydrated — and smelling great.
Ulta Beauty Moisturizing Lavender Scented Nail Polish Remover
In perhaps the easiest of all nail polish removal methods, we present: the Ulta Beauty Moisturizing Lavender Scented Nail Polish Remover ($4). All you have to do is dip your fingers, one by one, into the acetone-meets-vitamin-E formula. After 10 seconds, the color is magically gone.
Tenoverten Rose Polish Remover + Hand Cleanser Cloths
Those who favor essential oils over traditional perfumes will like this nontoxic Tenoverten Rose Polish Remover + Hand Cleanser Cloths ($29). It smells as decadent as it sounds, and the hydrating product even doubles as hand sanitizer.
Londontown Kur Strengthening Lacquer Remover
Nail polish removers often get relegated to the back of bathroom cabinets, but you'll want to show off the chic, minimalistic bottle of this Londontown Kur Strengthening Lacquer Remover ($14). What's inside is an acetone-free formula that's surprisingly effective at removing traditional colors, and quick.
Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover
Budget enthusiasts, you won't find a better bang for your buck than the Cutex Nourishing Nail Polish Remover ($4), which lets you take off your manicure for less than the price of a latte.
