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Up Your Manicure Game With the Best Acetone Nail Polish Remover

Last updated: 15 Jul 2022
Are you a nail-art enthusiast? Or do you like to match your nail color with your outfit? If so, a good acetone nail polish remover is a must-have item in your kit to get on with your ever-changing nail colors. With tons of nail-art designs and hundreds of nail polish colors available, a remover that swiftly removes the old paint is essential to keep up with the changing nail-art trends. To strip off your nail paint without a hitch — versus stringing it out like a slow-burn saga — go for an acetone nail polish remover that works faster than any other type. An acetone nail polish remover can work with almost any type of nail paint, whether glossy or matte. It’s essential for gel or acrylic nails since they cannot be taken off by non-acetone removers. To make things easier, we have handpicked and reviewed the finest acetone nail polish removers of 2022. So, let's get rolling!

Best Overall

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Eternal Acetone

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Best for Stubborn Nail Polish

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Pronto

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Most Nourishing

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Cutex

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Best Cruelty-Free

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Onyx Professional

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Best Solvent

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Super Nail

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Show Contents
Top Acetone Nail Polish Removers of 2022

Finding the Finest Acetone Nail Polish Removers

Acetone nail polish remover is a fairly standard product among beauty fanatics, but finding the best formula can be tricky with so many options to choose from. In this buyer’s guide, we're focusing on some crucial factors of acetone nail polish removers to help you understand all there is to know about them.

Factors to Consider: Acetone Nail Polish Remover

Before you panic and pick the first remover you see, keep in mind the following considerations:

Polish compatibility

When it comes to nail paint removers, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. There is a range of variables to consider: whether you are dealing with natural or acrylic nails, dip powder or gel polish, LED/UV nail polish, or a traditional one. You want to be sure that the acetone nail polish remover you buy will work on the formula you are wearing without hurting your nails — or else it may go to waste.

Texture

Acetone nail polish removers come in several textures; the most common is the thin water-like formula that can be applied to your nail after soaking it in a cotton ball. Conversely, oil-based removers tend to be much more gentle on the nails, while others have a thicker consistency and are better able to penetrate through tough nail polishes such as dip powders or UV light polishes.

Ingredients

Acetone is the primary component of nail polish removers based on acetone. Even though many assume that prolonged exposure to acetone can strip the nail, it is the one that works fastest and lessens the skin exposure time to these harmful elements. Other substances, like Vitamin E, Vitamin B, Jojoba, and other moisturizers that nourish and moisturize your nails can also be included in the composition of the remover.

Scent

The unpleasant odor of some nail polish removers is a real drawback. This is frequently caused by the use of alcohol in the formulation. The last thing anyone would want is their chipped nail polish hands to stink.

With the new advancements, nail polish removers are being developed free of chemicals that may cause a pungent, acidic odor or add ingredients that mask their smell. On the contrary, numerous brands now are offering odor-free removers.

Vegan and cruelty-free

Several brands these days are producing formulas that are not harmful to animals. This is also because a large populace avoids brands that use products leading to animal cruelty. So if you are hunting for a premium-quality yet cruelty-free remover, always check the label before making a purchase.

How To Use an Acetone Nail Polish Remover?

For removing traditional nail paint, opt for the conventional method of soaking a cotton pad in the acetone nail polish remover and gently rubbing the nails with it. But, if you are seeking ways to remove acrylic, gel, or other artificial nails, you must go a different path than the conventional one. One of the methods is to pour the acetone nail polish remover into a small dish and dip your fingers into it. Depending upon the type of product used, it may take around 20 to 30 mins to break the bond between the artificial nail and your natural one. You can use your thumb to rub the excess product off your other four fingernails.

Top Acetone Nail Polish Removers of 2022

Eternal Acetone – Best Overall

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Glitter or plain nail polish, shellac or gel powder, there’s nothing Eternal Acetone Nail Polish Remover cannot handle. Its 100% pure acetone formula swiftly and effectively removes all the paint from your nail, restoring it to its natural color. This nail polish remover will leave no residue, leaving your hand and feet looking salon-ready.

Dip a cotton ball into the acetone nail polish remover and firmly press it onto your nail for a few minutes to allow the mixture to work wonders, then clean it off. Use another swab to rub any stubborn spots, applying more if needed. Because of its simple application and quick results, this acetone nail polish remover is our best overall pick.

Pros

  • Dissolve gel or shellac nails easily
  • Residue-free nail polish removal
  • Made with 100% pure acetone

Cons

  • The product size is too small
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Pronto – Best for Stubborn Nail Polish

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Pronto’s acetone nail polish remover is perfect for removing acrylic or gel nails without damaging your natural nail. With this remover, you won’t have to go back and forth to the salon to get your artificial nails removed. It is made of 100% pure acetone, which may take time to activate but works like magic on any nail paint.

Simply moisten a small piece of cotton and massage your nail bed thoroughly from nail tip to cuticle before wiping it clean. This acetone nail polish remover expertly removes stubborn paint without damaging your nails, leaving them prepped for your next salon visit.

Pros

  • Perfect for detaching acrylic or gel nails
  • Made with 100% acetone
  • Comes in three different sizes
  • It doesn’t have a strong smell

Cons

  • No return policy available
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Cutex – Most Nourishing

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If you’re one to change your nail polish frequently, the Cutex Acetone Nail Polish Remover is your best bet. Give your nails a quick wipe with this magic potion to remove all traces of nail color. The best part about Cutex is that they’ve developed a formula that doesn’t smell bad; on the contrary, it features a mild, fresh cucumber fragrance, giving you a spa-like experience at home!

Enriched with hydrolyzed silk, vitamin E, and Vitamin B5, this acetone nail remover has a strong shield that leaves your nail looking healthy. It removes all traces of polish while protecting and nourishing your nails. It’s available in several variants, including Ultra-Powerful, Nourishing, Moisture-Rich, and Non-Acetone formulas for you to choose from as per your preference.

Pros

  • Composition includes vitamin E and vitamin B5
  • Features refreshing cucumber scent
  • Quickly eliminates all the residue

Cons

  • The bottle is too slippery to hold
  • Some may find the odor too pungent
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Onyx Professional – Best Cruelty-Free

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Are you someone who likes to do at-home manicures? If so, Onyx Professional Acetone Nail Polish Remover is the one for you. Formulated with 100% acetone, it works like magic on all nail polishes, including glitter and dark ones. Adding to its effectiveness, it helps in dissolving gel and dip powders — without harming your original nail and nail bed.

What sets this acetone nail polish remover apart is its paraben- and cruelty-free formula. It comes in a 16-ounce bottle; the kit includes a fancy 7-inch file to refresh your nails before reapplying the paint. To avoid post-removal drying, don’t forget to follow it up with cuticle oil or a moisturizer. Above all, you can also use this item to clean your acrylic brushes.

Pros

  • It comes with a fancy file
  • Paraben- and cruelty-free
  • Salon-quality strength

Cons

  • Issues with safety caps
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Super Nail – Best Solvent

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Super Nail Acetone Remover is the go-to product if you want to wipe off your matte or glitter nails. Despite the idea that acetone damages your nails, this formula removes gel, acrylics, and nail wraps quickly without exposing your nails to chemicals for too long.

One 8-ounce bottle of acetone nail polish remover will last you months if you are not a manicure enthusiast and only paint your nails once in a blue moon. If you change your nail color frequently, you may need a larger bottle.

Pros

  • Removes nail polish quickly
  • Less exposure to chemicals
  • Pure acetone solution

Cons

  • It can damage nails if left on for too long
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FAQ

Is submerging your fingers in acetone hazardous for my nails?

The simple answer is no. People who have used UV/LED nail polishes, acrylic nails, or varnishes are well aware that these nail polishes are hard to get off. Thus, soaking your nails in acetone is the best bet. At most, this may dry your nail bed and cuticles, which can be easily taken care of with cuticle oil.

What’s the safest way of using acetone nail polish remover?

For removing traditional nail paint, soak a cotton pad in the acetone nail polish remover and gently rub the nails with it. If you are seeking ways to remove acrylic, gel, or other artificial nails, pour the acetone nail polish remover into a small dish and dip your fingers into it.

What type of acetone nail polish removers do salons typically use?

Salons usually use 70-90 percent acetone solutions during manicures and pedicures. This is mainly because many companies sell substandard solutions under the pretext of 100% acetone.

Wendy Lockwood
By Wendy Lockwood
Wendy Lockwood is a journalist based in North Carolina with over 13 years of experience covering parenting, home, kitchen, and cooking. She has two daughters, Jodie and Alexis, and a grandson on the way. When she’s not with her family, Wendy enjoys reading on her porch, cooking for her husband, Mark, and taking long walks out in nature. Even though Wendy is not much of a traveler, she loves taking trips to the ocean where she can read, walk and enjoy the sunshine.
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