9 Best Nail Polish Removers

If you want to remove nail polish with as little mess and fuss as possible, you’ll love this crème nail polish remover. It’s thick enough that it won’t run off your nails as you’re working with it. Thanks to the acetone in the formula, it will eliminate nail polish very effectively. Let it sit for a few seconds and rub it gently off with a cotton ball. Voila! Clean nails.

The squeeze bottle top makes it easy to apply just a drop or two to your nails, reducing the messiness of the nail polish. The no-spill design of the bottle reduces the risk of wasting the remover. It’s small enough you can travel with it, and it will never make a mess in your purse or toiletry case.

The nail polish remover is acetone-based, meaning it may do some minor damage to your nails and cause dryness. However, the lavender oil in the formula will mitigate the potency of the acetone and reduce nail damage.

The acetone does have a strong smell, but it’s not as overwhelming as other nail polish removers. There’s a nice, light after-scent of lavender that makes the nail polish remover much more pleasant than other acetone-based options.

At $6, this is beautifully-priced nail polish! It gets the job done as efficiently as you could ask for, and it offers great value for the cost.

For those who want an organic and vegan nail polish remover, you’ll love this Karma Naturals product. It’s made with 100% organic ingredients, is cruelty-free, vegan-friendly, and non-toxic. You’ll find that the all-natural ingredients require a bit more effort to scrub away your nail polish, but it will get the job done.

The formula is hydrating and nourishing for your nails. Unlike acetone-based nail polish remover, you won’t have to worry about this one damaging your fingernails or toenails. The remover will refresh your nails, leaving them healthier than before.

This nail polish remover is made with soybean oil as the base and lavender oil for both the mild scent and effective removal. Soybean oil may be an allergen to some (people with soy allergies), but for the average person it’s totally harmless—in fact, the fatty acids in the oil will help to improve nail health. Other ingredients include propylene carbonate (a solvent) and Vitamin E.

There are no petroleum-based ingredients, and it’s a fully non-toxic, non-carcinogenic product. It’s derived entirely from farm crops and packaged in recycled glass bottles.

At $12 for 4 fluid ounces of nail polish remover, this is slightly on the pricier side of affordable. However, the acetone-free formula means the nail polish remover won’t evaporate, making it a longer-lasting product than most nail polishes.

For removing gel and shellac nails, this is the nail polish you want. Not only will it deal with acrylic, traditional, and glitter polish effectively, but it will loosen the glue holding your gel/shellac nails securely in place.

The liquid is thick enough that it’s easy to apply to your nails using a cotton ball, but it won’t evaporate like many pure acetone nail polish removers. It’s a maximum-strength nail polish remover made with a VERY potent strength, so make sure not to leave it soaking for too long, or you risk dry skin.

This nail polish remover is acetone-based, meaning it is very potent. However, once the acetone smell wears off, the after-scent is surprisingly mild and reminiscent of coconut. Thanks to the Vitamin E and grape seed oil in the nail polish remover, you can protect your fingernails and skin to reduce dryness when removing nails.

The remover is professional-grade, meaning it is used in salons and nail spas around the country. Definitely a product worth trying!

At less than $4 per 16-ounce bottle, this is the best-priced product on our list. You get high-quality nail polish remover at an amazing price—what more could you want?

If you want a nail polish remover that will get rid of ANY type of nail polish—gel, acrylic, and traditional—this one gets the job done. Best of all, it eliminates the nail polish without damaging your fingernails.

The formula will actually help to fill in repair lines and keep your nails nice and smooth. It won’t damage your skin or dry out your nails excessively. It’s a simple, reliable nail polish remover that will get rid of your polish rapidly.

The nail polish remover is acetone-based, meaning it has both a strong smell and potent chemicals. Some users have complained of the smell, but the formula is intended to smooth out your nails without drying them out. For those with sensitive nails, it may be a good option to consider.

The acetone-based nail polish can remove gel nails, and you can let your fingertips soak without damaging your skin. You’ll find it will repair lines on your nails and keep them looking good.

At $11 for a 16-fluid ounce container, this is one of the best-priced nail polish removers on our list. It’s highly effective but beautifully inexpensive.

These travel nail polish remover wipes are perfect to bring with you wherever you go. Each pack contains 20 wipes, and the nail polish remover is potent enough to clean all 10 fingers at once. The single-use cotton pads make cleaning your nails a breeze! Best of all, they come in a case the size of a compact, so you can fit it in any purse or bag.

The remover wipes have a non-acetone nail polish remover, one that contains aloe vera and lemon extract to remove nail polish and protect your skin. The formula is gluten-free, paraben-free, cruelty-free, and vegan-friendly.

At $12 for a 20-pack, these are a bit pricey. You’ll need one wipe for every use, or two if you’re wearing thick or heavy polish. However, they’re a good back-up plan if you travel often.

A 6oz bottle of Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover can last for quite a bit. It’s also very easy to use. Just apply the remover to a nail wipe or a cotton pad, then press the wipe on your nail for a few seconds. Wipe off the polish and the remaining residue and you’re done. You can use this remover before applying your new base coat.

Mineral Fusion uses only three natural ingredients in their nail polish remover (methyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, and fragrance). But even with only three ingredients, it’s very effective in removing regular, shellac, and mineral fusion gel polish without drying your nails.

This product is gluten-free, paraben-free, and doesn’t have talc, formaldehyde, phthalates, artificial colors, nor synthetic fragrances. You can also rest assured that this specific brand and its products are cruelty-free.

A 6 oz bottle of Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover is just $7.64. Because of the brand’s commitment to natural, and cruelty-free production, it’s one of the top nail polish removers out there. And, it’s worth a few extra dollars versus the usual store brands.

You can count on the nail polish remover pads from Cutex Care to remove your average nail polish, as well as gel polishes and even glitter nail polish. A lot of people also swear by its nail polish removing powers, as one pad can remove the nail polish from all ten of your fingers. Some have even tried these pads on four layers of nail polish and it still worked perfectly.

Because each pad is individually packaged, you don’t have to worry about spills or leaks that might damage other items in your bag. A pack of 10 pads is pretty lightweight, so it’s ready to be stashed away in your purse. Plus, it’s pretty easy to store as well.

The active ingredient in these pads is acetone, but it’s formulated in a way that doesn’t dry out the skin. Though, it is recommended that you wash your hands after using the product to avoid the residue from getting into your food, etc.

A pack of 10 Cutex wipes will cost you $6.99. The price pays off really well since the pads store well and they’re very handy especially in emergency situations. It’s also one of the top nail polish remover products out there, so we definitely recommend you give it a go.

Karma’s nail polish remover wipes works well on any kind of nail polish, as long as it’s painted on a natural nail. Gel and acrylic nails might not respond well to the formulation. A gentle swipe or two can easily get the job done. Plus, this is particularly handy for those that are on-the-go. You don’t have to be worried about making a mess when using this product because it might seem a bit dry, but trust us, one wipe has enough product on them to clean 10 nails at a time. It’s even effective for 4-layer polished nails.

These wipes are soybean-based and are infused with the nourishing properties of lavender essential oil. And if you’re wondering, Karma sources their soybean products from local American farms. The product is non-toxic, acetone-free, and non-carcinogenic. It’s also enhanced with Tocopheryl acetate, otherwise known as vitamin e, a common but important vitamin supplement. And yes, if you’re worried about the packaging, Karma uses biodegradable and recyclable materials to help keep the earth green and healthy.

The wipes are a bit pricey, at $11.99 per box of 10. But a little goes a long way for these wipes. Shelling out a bit more to support cruelty-free, and sustainable ventures are worth it, especially if their products get the job done beautifully, without harming animals and the environment.