Acetone Vs Alcohol – Which Is The Best Nail Polish Remover?
When it comes to removing nail polish, there can be some confusion between acetone vs alcohol for nails. Two of the most popular options for removing nail polish are alcohol and acetone, but what is the difference, and which one is better for use on nails? We’ll go over all of that in this post!
The key difference between alcohol and acetone in scientific terms is that isopropyl alcohol has a C-OH group in the middle of its chemical structure, whereas acetone has a C=O bond in the middle of its chemical structure.
Acetone is a ketone, and ketones can be reduced to alcohols. Basically, acetone is stronger (often used as a paint thinner), and alcohol is more often used for cleaning and disinfecting without damage.
Acetone vs Alcohol for Nails
Alcohol is a good choice for cleaning nails and nail tools because it is a relatively mild disinfectant. It can remove dirt and bacteria from the nail surface.
It also helps to reduce the appearance of cuticles and can help to reduce the amount of oil that is produced by the nails. The only problem is that alcohol can be very drying and it can cause the nail to become brittle or cracked if you use it too often.
Acetone is a stronger solvent and is usually used for removing nail polish or even removing artificial nails. It is generally considered to be harsher than alcohol and can cause the nail to become dry and brittle if it’s used too often.
Too much acetone can also damage the nail bed and cause the nail to become discolored. Acetone is also a flammable liquid and can cause irritation if it gets on your skin.
Alcohol and acetone both have their pros and cons when it comes to cleaning and protecting nails, but if you’re looking for the best way to remove polish, go with acetone.
Can Rubbing Alcohol Remove Nail Polish?
The short answer is yes, rubbing alcohol can be used to remove nail polish. Since it’s not a strong solvent like acetone, it will definitely take more time and effort to remove the nail polish, similar to non-acetone removers that just aren’t as harsh as pure acetone.
Still, alcohol will work faster and easier than some other alternatives that we’ll talk about below.
It’s a beauty industry simple secret that alcohol works great as an effective cleaner to remove residual oils from the nail bed. This preps your natural nails for polish, gel nails, or fake nails by removing excess moisture which makes all of these types of nail applications adhere longer.
The truth is though, acetone does an equally good job at this step, so you may not need both in your lineup of nail products.
Non-Acetone Nail Polish Removers
A nail paint remover that doesn’t contain acetone is a much more gentle product for your skin and your nails. Non-acetone removers are usually used to change the polish on nail extensions because the acetone will weaken the acrylic nails.
Acetone is typically used to remove nail extensions by soaking the nail, which essentially dissolves it until it separates from the real nail.
Other Ways to Remove Nail Polish
Have you ever been in need of ridding your nails of old polish and found you were out of acetone or non-acetone nail polish remover? Surprisingly, there are some random things that also work to remove nail polish and the good news is that you probably already have most of these in your home.
However, you should keep in mind that you’re going to have to put in a little more elbow grease with these products since they aren’t as harsh as products meant specifically for nail polish removal.
Don’t forget to reach for the rubbing alcohol before these other alternative methods. Most of these household products are going to be much less effective solutions for the job, but when you’re in a pinch they could really save the day.
If you have gel polish, glitter polish, or artificial nails, these products will take extra time and effort to work.
To improve the efficacy of these emergency methods, soak your nails in a small bowl of warm water for 15 minutes before using any of these products. Since they are much more gentle, they’ll need a little help softening the polish, and warm water should do the trick.
Toothpaste
Scrubbing your nails with baking soda-based toothpaste may do the trick. It has to be a non-gel toothpaste, though, since gel ones won’t work. Put a small amount of toothpaste onto a cotton ball, and then rub it over your nails until the polish is off.
Hand sanitizer
Hand sanitizer contains alcohol so this is a good alternative when you need something close to nail polish remover. Simply pour a bit onto a cotton ball, and then rub it over your nails in a circular motion until the polish is gone.
Vinegar
White vinegar is a kitchen staple that most people have on hand at all times. It’s acidic and is a good solvent for nail polish. Maybe not excellent, but good enough to do the trick when you’re in need of an alternative to acetone or non-acetone polish removers.
Remember to soak your hands in warm water first, then pour some vinegar onto a cotton ball and then rub it over your nails until the polish is off.
Lemon juice
Lemon juice is another great way to remove nail polish without remover. Lemons contain citric acid which makes them an effective solvent, although still a gentler option. For an even better DIY nail polish remover, you can mix lemon juice and vinegar and then rub it over your nails until the polish is gone.
Hair spray
You may have heard that hairspray can take nail polish out of clothes or other fabrics, but it can also remove nail polish from your nails.
Just spray a bit onto a cotton ball and then rub it over your nails until the polish is off. Hair spray will have a drying effect on your nails and skin, so be sure to wash your hands well after using this to remove your polish.
Deodorant
This one might be surprising. I know it sounds weird, but spray deodorant might save you in a nail polish emergency. Only spray deodorant will work because believe it or not, they contain alcohol and acetone.
This method is going to be the most time-consuming but it should eventually work with some effort. Simply rub a bit onto a cotton ball or paper towel and then rub it over your nails until the polish is gone.
Alcohol and Acetone Products for Nails
Beauticom Alcohol Pushdown Pump
This handy push down pump bottle makes using this alcohol really easy. Pump bottles are the easiest way to use nail products since you just need one hand and a cotton ball or cotton pad to dispense the alcohol. This is really helpful when you’re doing your own nails.
Pronto Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Once you use acetone for nail polish removal, you’ll never want to go back to other types of nail polish remover. Acetone makes the process so much easier and gives you the best result in the least amount of time.
Just make sure when you purchase this product that acetone is the main ingredient as in this Pronto product, or it becomes less effective.
Conclusion
There are several different ways to remove nail polish but the best option is the one that does the least damage to your nails while providing the results you need.
When it comes to acetone vs alcohol for nails just remember to consider all factors including the type of polish and/or nails you have on, how strong your natural nails are, and if you are willing to take the risk of potentially weakening your nails.
