In Search of a Safe and Effective Nail Polish Remover

Dec 23, 2008 Author: Jen Hill | Filed under: Health Conscious Beauty, Nailcare, Nails

Here is an interesting question from my Mother-in-Law:

Have you found any good nail polishes/removers that do not weaken nails? I never use polish because when I remove it my nails break and weaken. They never do that when I donâ€™t use it in the first place. I would like to use polish. Any solutions? Thanks. Claralyn

This is a fabulous question. You may know I am a nail biter,Â and am a little clueless in the nail care arena, but was able to dig up some good information on this topic.

One site that offers nail polish remover substitutes is at: naturalsolutions holistic beauty, body & bath, the SUNCOAT NATURALS Nail Polish Remover looks promising and claims to not dry out and damage your nails. It is more expensive than your acetone based nail removers, but might be worth it.

Many of us have become increasingly aware of the health risks we take in using nail polishes and removers that contain strong chemicals such as Phthalates, Toluene, and Formaldehyde. My beauty blogging friend Raging Rouge even tossed out all of her older nail polishes this summer! You can read Raging Rouge’s post about this event at, “Why I am Throwing Away my 40+ Bottle Nailpolish Collection.”

Bionic Beauty also featured some beautiful holiday nail looks at her post,”Holiday Ideas: Essie Mega Minis and Winter Collection.”

If you have any experience with alternative nail polish removers or suggestions, feel free to comment!

Share and Enjoy:

6 Responses for "In Search of a Safe and Effective Nail Polish Remover"

the cheap chick December 23rd, 2008 at 11:07 am 1

I’m all about buffing my nails, instead of using polish. It never chips (because, well, there’s no polish), your nails always look nice and professional, and the polish doesn’t rub off on your important papers. Because, once again, there IS no polish!

Plus buffers are pretty cheap, which you know I love!
Jen Hill December 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am 2

Love beauty “on the cheap” as well, and because my polishing skills are atrocious, buffing sounds like a wonderful alternative to using nail polish!

Thanks Cheap Chick!
Decorative Diva December 23rd, 2008 at 12:59 pm 3

I love nail polish, and it’s very important to find a good nail polish remover, especially if you’re going to be painting your nails often.

I really love China Glaze because of their fabulous colors and they’re 3 free (free of DBP / Toluene and added Formaldehyde). Some 3 free brands:
Butter London, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Color Club, Dashing Diva, Estee Lauder, Hard Candy, Lippman, L’oreal, Maybelline, Nicole, Nubar, some OPI, Revlon, Sally Hansen, Sinful Colors, Zoya.

I haven’t found out yet if Finger Paints if 3 free, so I’m still looking into that. My favorite nail polish brand is China Glaze, followed by Finger Paints, Sally Hansen, Zoya and Nubar. (though Nubar has very bad customer service).

I’ve tried a bunch of different types of nail polish remover, and my current favorite is from Target. It’s their brand that comes in a jar and has little brushes inside to take off the polish. It completely and easily removes the nail polish. And if you then use a nail polish with nail hardeners, such as China Glaze, your nails will be stronger.

My nails were really weak and flimsy, and chipped easily, until I started using China Glaze. I’ve been using them for about 6 months now and I definitely feel like my nails have slowly gotten stronger. I’m not sure if it’s a combination of the nail polish and vitamins or what, but I’ve been very happy I’m pretty hard on my nails, so it’s nice for them to not be weak anymore.
tracy m December 23rd, 2008 at 2:25 pm 4

My grandma alway had nail buffers and cream in her vanity. I remember playing with it long before I even knew what nail polish was… what comes around, goes around.
Marilyn December 23rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm 5

I’m with Cheap Chick – Buffing is the way to go – and if you apply a little mineral oil to the nail first, it works even better AND it’s healthy for your cuticles!
Josi December 31st, 2008 at 10:35 am 6

Okay, first off I can’t believe I just found your site…but have any of you girls tried Nailtiques? It’s a polish strengthener that is AMAZING..I’ve NEVER had any length on my nails because they are weak and peel…I just figured that I had to have acrylics to have decent nails…NO MORE…I can’t get over my “real nails”….the stuff is truly a miracle…not cheap ($20) but it is your basecoat & topcoat….so worth it.