If choosing the right nail polish is important, selecting the right nail polish remover is equally essential. Why? Because not all removers are created equal—some dry out your nails, while others can actually strengthen them. How should you choose your remover? With or without acetone? Here are our tips and recommendations to remove your nail polish without compromising the health and beauty of your nails.
Which Nail Polish Remover Should You Choose for Healthy Nails?
There are numerous products available to remove nail polish. They can be acetone-based or acetone-free, applied with a cotton pad, or used as a soaking remover. Some even include nourishing ingredients to rehydrate your nails. From the harshest to the healthiest options, we’ll review the different types of nail polish removers.
Acetone or Acetone-Free Remover?
Acetone is a powerful solvent used to dissolve fats, resins, and adhesives. In the beauty industry, it is commonly found in many nail polish removers. Acetone is effective in removing all types of nail polish, including traditional, semi-permanent, and gel nails.
However, acetone is particularly harsh on nails and the surrounding skin, drying them out. Since acetone dissolves oils, it not only removes polish but also strips away the natural protective layer (the hydrolipidic film) on your nails and skin. This film, a mix of water and oil, plays a crucial role in maintaining nail and skin health, keeping them hydrated and protected from external aggressors.
Regular use of acetone-based removers can weaken your nails, making them dry, brittle, and fragile.
The Gentler Option: Acetone-Free Nail Polish Removers
For healthy nails, opt for acetone-free removers. These are gentler, more natural, and also environmentally friendly. Acetone-free removers respect the health of your nails and surrounding skin while still effectively removing traditional nail polish.
At Poderm, we’ve developed the Extra Gentle Nail Polish Remover, a formula free of acetone and enriched with Tea Tree Oil, Silicon, and Biotin to maintain long-term nail health. Unlike traditional removers, which often leave nails dry or even white after use, our solution nourishes and revitalizes nails.
This remover efficiently removes all traces of polish while fortifying and hydrating your nails. After use, nails are soft, nourished, and revitalized. It’s the perfect solution for sensitive nails that require special care.
The Poderm Extra Gentle Remover is part of the Color Care range, specifically designed for sensitive, damaged, or yellow nails. It is ideal for removing Color Care polishes or any other traditional nail polish.
Check out our article on choosing the right nail polish for healthy nails!
Why Choose a Natural Nail Polish Remover?
Today, we know that the cosmetics we use can impact our health. Many nail polish removers on the market contain harmful ingredients that can negatively affect both our health and the environment.
Here are some potentially harmful ingredients to watch out for:
- Acetone, which can weaken nails (as detailed above).
- Benzophenone, an endocrine disruptor.
- Methyl ethyl ketone, which can cause irritation.
- Toluene, an irritant for the eyes and respiratory system.
It’s crucial to remain vigilant about the composition of your nail polish remover.
The Consequences of Acetone on Nails
Acetone weakens nails and cuticles by drying them out. For healthy nails, repeated use of acetone-based removers will eventually cause dryness and irritation. For already damaged, dry, or sensitive nails, avoiding acetone-based removers is highly recommended.
These products can cause painful irritation, particularly around the cuticles. Similarly, avoid soaking removers, which involve immersing your nails in a solvent solution for several seconds. These quick-action removers are among the harshest options for both nails and skin.
How to Remove Nail Polish Safely?
To remove nail polish that is starting to chip or to switch colors, simply apply a few drops of remover to a cotton pad and gently rub it over your nails until all traces of polish are gone.
If you’re using an acetone-based remover to take off semi-permanent polish or gel nails, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area, rinse your nails and skin thoroughly, and rehydrate them—don’t forget the cuticles!
If you’re using an acetone-free remover, your nails will be cleansed and hydrated simultaneously, as these gentler removers often include nourishing ingredients like vegetable oils or essential vitamins for nail health. Be sure to check the ingredients of your remover and take good care of your nails, especially if they’ve been covered with polish for several days.
Poderm’s Solution for Perfectly Healthy Nails
The Poderm Extra Gentle Remover removes polish in just one application while preserving the health of your nails. Its acetone-free formula protects, nourishes, and softens nails thanks to its blend of Tea Tree Oil, Silicon, and Biotin. It is especially recommended for sensitive or weakened nails damaged by nail polish use.
Additionally, the Poderm Extra Gentle Remover is perfectly suited for use with breathable nail polishes from the Color Care range, as well as with traditional nail polishes.
