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Best nail polish removers: the top 5 to leave nails clean and fresh
We put 13 nail polish removers to the test to see which ones effortlessly removed all traces of polish, leaving them ready for a fresh round of paint
Removing your old, unwanted polish shouldn't feel like a chore. With a good nail polish remover, you can clean your nails and switch up your look in an instant. But how do you know which is the best nail polish remover? We've tested 13 products to find the most effective options out there.
How does nail polish remover work?
Nail polish removers should gently and thoroughly lift away traces of polish from the nails, leaving them clean and ready for a fresh round of paint. They do this by using a solvent (such as acetone) to dissolve the hard film left on your nails by polish. Some traditional removers use ingredients which can feel harsh on the nails. But there's plenty of choice if you want to avoid a chemical like acetone (more on that below).
What are the different types of nail polish remover?
The nail industry has come a long way from its classic liquid polish remover, introducing new styles such as pre-soaked pads, pots, nail wraps and even creams, which are great for travelling. Prices typically range from as little as £1 to £15 depending on the brand, size and formula.
Can I use an acetone-based polish remover?
Acetone is a clear solvent which has been used for years to remove polish and false nails. It's typically quicker and more effective at cleaning nails, but can sometimes leave them feeling dry or damaged, along with the skin around your nails. If this is something you often experience or you generally have weak nails, its best to choose an acetone-free or nourishing nail polish remover. Many now contain added ingredients to help condition and protect your nails, so be sure to check the packaging. We've highlighted which products are acetone-free in our list.
What is the difference between vegan and cruelty-free?
You’ll see the terms ‘cruelty-free’ and ‘vegan’ used often when shopping around, but they don’t mean the same thing. Cruelty-free means that no animal testing occurred in the development of the product, whereas vegan tells consumers that the products don’t contain any animal-derived ingredients of byproducts. There are accreditations you can look out for, such as from the Leaping Bunny programme, its logo is an internationally recognised symbol for products not tested on animals.
How the GHI tests nail polish removers
We applied equal amounts of each nail polish remover to individual cotton pads. We assessed the effectiveness by counting the number of swipes needed until all traces of polish had been removed with the pad. We also recruited 290 women to try out the products at home, to help us determine how effective they were. They assessed how much product was needed, how quick the process was, the packaging, instructions, ease of use, and how their nails felt afterwards.
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Score: 91/100
Designed for weak nails that need some extra attention, this nail polish remover contains a botanical blend of apricot kernel oil, vitamin E, linseed and perilla seed oil. It scored top marks in our lab assessment and proved effective at removing all traces of polish. Our at-home testers agreed with this too. They were delighted with how gentle it was on the nails, leaving them feeling healthy.
Score: 90/100
This bottle has a precision nozzle which targets application, making it easy to control. It's also ideal for getting underneath false nails. This product scored top marks in our lab assessment. Many testers preferred this format to traditional liquid polish removers. A high 85% observed that it was quick to take off polish and they were pleased that it didn't leave nails feeling dry or damaged.
Key specifications:
Spray format
Contains acetone
Score: 89/100
This liquid polish remover aims to remove stubborn dark and glitter polish, as well as delivering quick and clean removal of artificial nails. It scored top marks in our lab assessment, and the nail polish remover proved effective at taking off all traces of polish. A high 86% of testers agreed that it removed their polish in a short space of time. Testers were also delighted with how gentle it was on the nails, leaving them feeling healthy after use.
Key specifications:
Liquid format
Contains acetone
Nails.Inc Nail Polish Rapid Remover Pot, 60ml
Score: 89/100
The cruelty-free, compact nail polish remover pot aims to gently remove polish without the need for cotton wool. It contains coconut-scented, pre-saturated sponges which wipe away nail polish to leave them clean, without any mess. The added collagen promotes strong, healthy nails and cuticles. It scored 5/5 in our lab test, showing that it effectively cleaned nails and 87% of testers agreed that it took off polish with ease. The majority of testers said they found it easy to use and liked how convenient it was for travelling.
Score: 85/100
Infused with vitamin E and argan oil, the acetone-free, vegan and cruelty-free citrus scented polish remover removes polish while keeping nails healthy and nourished. It scored 4/5 in our lab test and 80% of testers thought it removed polish easily, noting that a little went a long way. 94% found it easy to control and were pleased to see that it did not damage or dry out the nails and cuticles.
Key specifications:
Liquid format
Acetone-free
As a beauty tester and writer at the GHI, Sunayah reviews products and tools to get the low-down on how well they (actually) work. You can go to her for all your beauty questions!
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