When you take the lid off your nail polish remover a strong smell wafts up and into your nostrils. It doesn’t smell healthy does it? It makes you think that you shouldn’t be putting it on your precious nails at all!

So, what are nail polish removers made from?
Removers are made up mainly of a solvent such as acetone, methyl, acetate or methyl ethyl ketone to dissolve the resins in the polish. These chemicals have several other uses. You can find them in paint thinners, glue and white board markers. Acetone is the most widely used in polish removers. But what is the real difference? Well, basically acetone removers will work faster at dissolving the polish off your nails; non-acetone removers are gentler for your nails.

Acetone is a strong solvent, and can even disintegrate plastic. In non-acetone removers, the key active ingredient is ethyl acetate. This is made from ethanol and acetic acid, and has a slightly fragrant smell which is used in some perfumes. All polish removers are going to contain a solvent which has a slightly damaging effect on your nails, but acetone is stronger than the others. No matter what remover you are using, you should be careful of inhaling the toxic fumes. It is recommended to moisturize your nails well after using a polish remover.

Acetone-free polish removers have a much gentler smell than acetone removers, and some contain vitamins to improve the health of your nails. Some even use natural solvents that have no side effects for your nails. You do have to use more remover, and rub harder, to remove the polish effectively.

So, which one to use? Do not use acetone on false nails- it is too strong and may weaken them, causing them to separate from your natural nail and putting your nails at risk of infection. Acetone-free removers were actually created to be used on false nails because of this problem. If you are removing a few coats of nail polish, or glittery nail polish- then use a polish remover with acetone as it is harder to break down. The main concern with acetone is the nausea and dizziness that may be caused from inhalation (and the obvious risks if someone were to drink it). If you use a polish remover very often, then you should consider using an acetone-free remover. Choose water-based or mineral based removers for much gentler options- these are natural ingredients and act as substitutes to chemical compounds found in most nail polishes.

Browse nail polish remover product reviews by our Beauty Bulletin ladies.

Article by Claire