Painting your nails is such a luxurious treat – it’s fun to take some time out for pampering!
While painting your nails is relaxing, taking that polish off can be anything but.
For the longest time, I avoided treating myself to painted nails because I dreaded having to remove the polish.
The products always dried out my hands. This was particularly problematic in the winter, when my hands were already suffering.
But the absolute worst part of traditional nail polish remover was the stink! The stench would linger in my bathroom for hours afterward. Even worse, it seemed to sink into my hands – my fingers smelled like alcohol for what seemed like days.
And let’s not even talk about the scary ingredients in traditional polish removers!
Upgrading Your Nail Polish Remover
Luckily for us, removing your polish doesn’t have to feel (or smell) like dipping your hands in paint thinner. By using a remover made from natural products, taking your polish off can be just as luxurious as painting it on.
Plus, many natural brands are also vegan and cruelty-free. In many cases, the values just align!
But which to choose? There are plenty of natural, vegan-friendly nail polish removers on the market. However, to make the process easier, we’ve compiled our five favorite brands below.
Read on to find the best brands to fit your lifestyle!
Karma Naturals Organic Lavender Polish Remover
Karma Naturals’ organic nail polish remover is luxurious in every sense of the word. First, the texture. This remover is oily, which helps keep nails nourished and fingertips soft. Of course, it’s also very effective.
Reviewers noted that this product quickly removed even old, layered polish. It even works on stubborn sparkle polish! Customers on Amazon estimate as little as 5-10 seconds of scrubbing per nail!
It’s incredibly effective, without the use of harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. The scent is also light and spa-like. Unlike traditional removers, this product smells like lavender and tea tree oil. It doesn’t have any harsh fumes so that you can use it in small or shared spaces. This cruelty-free nail polish remover comes in a four-ounce dark glass bottle.
What We Love
This scent is amazing! The lavender and tea tree are an easy way to pamper yourself just a little more. Reviewers also love that this remover leaves hands soft and nourished, even after frequent use.
What We Didn’t Like
While this natural nail polish remover is effective, it does have limitations. Reviewers with layers and layers of gel polish and topcoats said this needed a bit of effort to work. Be realistic about how much work it will take to scrub through your manicure.
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
The nail polish remover from Mineral Fusion is a non-drying, acetone-free product. It’s gentle on hands but effective enough to remove even dark nail polish. In addition to removing polish, this remover also preps and cleans nails.
This helps extend the life of your color so that you can use it at both the beginning and end of each polish life cycle. This remover is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and contains no animal products. It’s also gluten- and artificial fragrance-free.
This product is highly rated on Amazon. Reviewers love that polish is gone with just a few swipes, and it doesn’t leave a residue. They also leave rave reviews about how it softens nails and cuticles.
While this product is acetone-free, it’s not exactly “natural.” It includes ingredients like methyl acetate and isopropyl. The polish remover is mango scented and comes in a six-ounce bottle.
What We Love
This remover is super effective – just needs a few swipes to take off polish. It’s also well-packaged and is usually shipped and delivered without issue.
What We Didn’t Like
The primary complaint with this remover is that the scent is very strong. Some reviewers said they have to soak their nails afterward to cut down on the smell.
Josie Maran Nail Wipes
This is one of those ideas I wish I came up with! Instead of a sloshing bottle of polish remover that’s easy to spill, these are convenient, pre-soaked pads. Each container contains a stack of cotton pads saturated with acetone-free remover.
The pads are available in three scents: grapefruit, lavender, and peppermint. The pads are actually 3-in-1 treatments for the most bang for your buck. Not only do they remove polish, but they also moisturize cuticles and nourish nails.
They’re infused with argan oil to ensure nails stay healthy and beautiful. The scent of these pads is mild and pleasant – no harsh chemical smells here!
The wipes require a little more elbow grease than traditional liquid removers. However, you can’t beat their convenience. They’re great for tucking into travel bags or just reducing the risk of making a mess. Containers come with 20 or 40 pre-soaked cotton pads.
What We Love
The convenience and cleanliness are this product’s strong suits. Because they aren’t liquid, you can bring them on a plane or tuck into a suitcase without worry. It also significantly reduces the chance of mess, so it’s great for use around kids and pets.
What We Didn’t Like
These pads are not very effective on no-chip or shellac polish. They’re best suited for home manicures with regular nail polish.
Josie Maran Nail Wipes
The polish remover from ella+mila is soy-based and enriched with vitamins. This remover uses lavender essential oil to create a luxurious and calming scent reminiscent of your favorite spa.
This polish remover is acetone-free, so it won’t leave hands dry. The added nutrition from vitamins keeps hands soft and healthy.
The product is vegan and cruelty-free and is made in the United States. It even has the PETA stamp of approval, so you know it’s in line with vegan values.
Reviewers love the delicate lavender scent of this product. Unlike traditional removers, you might actually look forward to taking your polish off!
The product comes in a standard four-ounce bottle but leans toward the more expensive end of the spectrum. So if you’re on a budget, this bottle ain’t for you!
What We Love
This remover is super nourishing for hands! Cuticles are softened, and skin is left hydrated. It almost works best as a hand cream and cuticle treatment!
What We Didn’t Like
This product isn’t very effective on gel polish and dark colors, especially consider the steep price point. For the price, some feel as though it takes too long to remove the actual color. Additionally, some reviewers said it left their hands feeling greasy.
Priti Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover
Priti’s non-toxic nail polish remover is soy-based and acetone-free. The all-natural formula is vegan and cruelty-free, and has a pleasant lemongrass scent. This is a great option for the eco-friendly fashionista.
The remover is non-carcinogenic and non-flammable. Even better, this product is 100% biodegradable. You won’t have to sacrifice your love of the planet for beautiful, healthy nails.
Reviewers love the scent of this product. It’s mild and pleasant, and the lemongrass scent is unexpected and exotic. Everyone loves lavender, but let’s face it – sometimes it’s fun to branch out! This product also goes a long way.
You need a very small amount of product to remove polish, so you’re saving money in the long run. Purchasers say this is extremely effective, but you need to really “soak” the nail first. Many suggest pressing a saturated cotton ball to the nail for a few seconds before you start rubbing.
What We Love
The scent is a fun departure from traditional lavender. Plus, the 100% biodegradable nature of the product means it’s that much friendlier to the planet.
What We Didn’t Like
This product definitely takes time to work. It will remove polish effectively, but it won’t be a brief task. Because you need to soak the nail and spend time scrubbing, it’s not a good option for those in a rush, or with little patience.
What’s Wrong With Traditional Polish Remover?
That strong smell that’s characteristic to nail polish remover? That’s acetone. It’s an effective polish remover, but that’s because it’s essentially a paint stripper.
While many people blame nail polish for dry, yellowed nails, it’s most likely the remover that’s at fault.
Ever notice that your nails feel dry after using nail polish remover? Frequent use of the traditional stuff can lead to dry, brittle nails. It can even lead to longer-term damage of the nails.
Of course, it’s important to note that acetone is not a known carcinogen. In fact, it’s a safer option than traditional non-acetone polish remover.
But, it just doesn’t make sense to take the risk. There are so many natural products that will actually nourish nails. Plus, they’re just as effective as the removers you’d usually buy at the drugstore.
The Non-toxic Manicure
The abundance of natural, vegan, and cruelty-free polish removers proves that you don’t have to forgo your values for beauty.
You can still have effective, powerful products that help you look and feel your best. By choosing better products, you’re giving a voice to so many!
By going vegan and cruelty-free, you’re giving voice to the animals who would have been harmed for ingredients or testing.
By choosing eco-friendly formulas, you take a stand for the health of the environment.
Picking a product free of acetone also means you’re prioritizing your health. Harsh chemicals don’t need to have a place in your home, or on your body!
Whether you need a liquid, or want to try convenient pads, there’s an earth- and animal-friendly option that’s perfect for you.