Choosing the right nail polish remover: natural, effective, and safe

A nail polish remover that removes polish, yes, but without health risks, is even better! Often overlooked in the field of natural cosmetics, it should not be neglected. Especially since its composition is also environmentally controversial. So, where can you find the least harmful nail polish remover possible that is just as effective at removing different layers of polish? To help you find your way, we explain which ingredients to avoid and which types of natural nail polish remover to prioritize.

 

Avoid nail polish removers with controversial compositions

Most nail polish removers on the market contain ingredients harmful to both health and the environment.

These include, among others:

• acetone (we'll come back to this in more detail);
• benzophenone: a polluting endocrine disruptor;
• hydrocarbon benzene: a carcinogenic substance which, although banned, can still be found in some cosmetics;
• methyl ethyl ketone: it causes irritation, dizziness, and even fainting;
• toluene: it is toxic to the eyes, respiratory system, and reproductive system.

Note that these components should be avoided particularly by pregnant women.

You can easily spot them on the INCI list, present on the packaging, which details the composition of your product.

 

Choose an acetone-free nail polish remover

Let's look in more detail at this very problematic component: acetone.

To be effective, nail polish remover is composed of a solvent that dissolves the resins in the polish. But in the case of acetone, it damages the lipid film, the first layer of the nail that protects it from external aggressions. The nail then becomes thinner, softer, drier, brittle, and yellows with repeated use. In short, not a joy.

But it doesn't stop there.

It also irritates and dries the skin around the nail. And it is also singled out for polluting water and soil.

On the health side, it's no better. When used in high doses, its smell can cause irritation, nausea, headaches, and vomiting. Moreover, studies, including one from 2019 published in the scientific journal of the Spanish Society of Neurology, have shown that in large quantities, acetone damages the liver and kidneys of rats and causes cell cycle arrest. Also, another study from 2006, published in the scientific journal Cancer Letters, demonstrated that acetone causes leukemia in these same rodents.

However, it is important to put its repercussions into perspective when it is used in a nail polish remover. Exposure is shorter and the doses used are negligible. The risks are therefore truly minimal... except for beauty professionals who can breathe up to 300 harmful molecules a day! So, as a precaution, it is better to be careful and avoid this type of substance.

And if you still want to use an acetone-based remover, make sure to:

• use it in a well-ventilated area;
• wash and moisturize your hands and cuticles thoroughly after use;
• do not handle it near a heat source as the solvent is flammable.

And otherwise, how can these removers be replaced?

Prefer natural nail polish removers

It's not easy to find an effective, non-toxic nail polish remover. But your quest won't be in vain because natural nail polish removers are starting to make a name for themselves. Although they cannot be called organic removers because none are 100% organic, their composition is free of toxic products.

So what's so special about them?

These are gentle nail polish removers that remove polish without damaging your nails. Unlike other removers, these are based on mostly natural solvents that are much more respectful of the environment and health:

• vegetable and essential oils;
• glycerin;
• hydrosols;
• vegetable ethanol;
• sugar cane;
• ethyl lactate, etc.

Moreover, believe us, it is even possible to find a nail polish remover that smells good. Indeed, their scent is much more pleasant and not as strong as classic removers. And there is no risk during inhalation.

This is also a very good alternative for pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, make sure that the formula does not contain essential oils.

Some natural nail polish removers use ethyl acetate. This is a biodegradable solvent derived from the fermentation of lactic acid, from corn sugar or starch. And it is much less potent than acetone in terms of smell and harmfulness.

A weak player, you say?

Yet, although their composition is less harmful, they have nothing to be ashamed of in terms of performance. They are just as effective as traditional nail polish removers and remove polish more gently.

Unlike a classic nail polish remover, you simply need to let the natural nail polish remover act longer, sometimes for 2 to 3 minutes. Except for Clever Beauty's, which is immediately effective (we'll come back to that). Don't hesitate to apply light pressure for a few seconds when you place your wipe on the nail. Then wipe the product from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. There, it's removed!

This will probably take a little more time for red, burgundy, or other dark polishes. But a few extra seconds for the good of your nails, your health, and the environment, it's worth it, right?

Our nail polish remover has no difficulty removing any conventional and natural nail polish, excluding toluene or formaldehyde. However, it is true that for gel polishes or semi-permanent polishes, most natural removers are insufficient.

 

Opt for nourishing formulas

A healthy formulation is great, but what if we took it to the next level with products that care for nails? Some natural nail polish removers not only remove makeup from the hands but also hydrate and nourish the nails and cuticles.

Indeed, most gentle and natural nail polish removers are enriched with vegetable oil, glycerin, or vitamin E. These elements are beneficial for nail health, which are composed of keratin.

Certainly, the price is higher, but their composition allows for a dual use of the product. You opt for a nail polish remover that does not damage the nails but, on the contrary, contributes to their long-term health. This is all the more important as they need care after being covered for several days by layers of polish.

A "two-in-one" in short!

By the way, what if we told you about our natural #Indispensable nail polish remover?

It is a gentle nail polish remover based on a bio-sourced solvent derived from corn and enriched with castor oil, an oil particularly suitable for nourishing and softening nails. Bio-sourced solvents are ingredients of natural origin extracted by natural fermentation of corn, for example, or cotton or cassava for nail polish.

As mentioned before, it is just as effective on our natural nail polishes as on conventional polishes and even on glitter nail polishes!

The little extra? It's economical because it has a pump dispenser that delivers just the right dose of remover onto your cotton pad. Three pumps are enough to remove makeup from one hand. Not one more! No need to empty half your bottle with each use!

Natural nail polish removers now hold no secrets for you!