6 Nail Polish Remover Alternatives

Perfume or Body Spray

You can use perfume or body spray as an alternative to traditional nail polish remover, thanks to its alcohol content, says Dasha Minina, a certified nail tech and owner of Maxus Nails. 

“Ensure the cotton ball is thoroughly moistened with the perfume or body spray, and perform this in a well-ventilated area to minimize inhalation of fumes,” she advises. “Gently swipe the saturated cotton ball over your nails, repeating the process if necessary until all the polish has been removed.” 

Rubbing Alcohol

Plain old medicinal rubbing alcohol is another effective way to remove nail polish without nail polish remover. Again, Minina says to saturate a cotton ball or tissue paper, then place it on top of your nail for a few minutes to soften the polish. Then wipe it away. You may need to repeat the process a couple times for thorough removal. A cotton swab can help get little areas, as well. 

Rubbing alcohol can be effective for removing nail polish when a cotton ball soaked in it is placed on the nails for a few minutes, softening the polish for easy removal. Similarly, hand sanitizer, rich in alcohol, may also work but might require more effort for thicker or layered polishes.

Hairspray

Another household item with alcohol in the ingredient list is hairspray. Though it’s not as effective as actual nail polish remover, it can help when you’re in a pinch, says Amy Ling Lin, CEo and founder sundays. 

“If you decide to use hairspray as a last resort, you will spray a small amount of hairspray onto a cotton ball, then press the cotton ball onto the nail polish for a few seconds, and then rub and wipe the nail polish off,” she says. 

Hand Sanitizer

An alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help remove nail polish without nail polish remover. Soak a cotton ball in the sanitizer, then place the cotton over your nails and let it set for about five to 10 minutes. Gently rub the cotton ball back and forth to rub away the color and repeat as necessary. 

Toothpaste

While toothpaste doesn’t contain alcohol, the formula can break down nail polish and its lightly abrasive texture comes in handy, too. This makes it easier to wipe off the polish. 

“Toothpaste can indeed work in a pinch to help remove nail polish. However, it’s not as effective or safe for your nails and skin as products specifically designed for nail polish removal,” notes Lin. “It can potentially make your nails and cuticle area really dry and might cause irritation on the skin around the nails.”

Vinegar and Lemon Juice

The acidic nature of vinegar and lemon juice can potentially nix nail polish from your fingernails. Combine equal parts of both in a small bowl, then soak your nails in the mixture for a minute or two. Gently buff away the color with a cotton ball or cotton pad. If you have any cuts on your cuticles or fingertips this can potentially be uncomfortable, so proceed with caution.

Whether you’re using traditional nail polish remover or one of these alternatives, note that the process can be very drying for your nail beds, skin, and cuticles surrounding each nail. Always make sure to rinse your nails thoroughly to remove residue, and follow up with some nourishing cuticle oil and/or moisturizer.