Ditch the Acetone: The 3 Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish Removers (2025)

IN THIS POST:

• How to shop for a nontoxic nail polish remover
• Better alternatives to acetone
• Additional ingredients to consider in natural nail polish removers
• Ingredients to celebrate (look for) in natural nail polish removers
• Our top picks for natural nontoxic nail polish removers
• References

How to shop for a nontoxic nail polish remover

When it comes to shopping for the healthiest nail polish remover, the major tipping point is acetone and acetone constituents. Here’s why.

The EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredient List (1) is a certification that groups chemical ingredients by function and then ranks them according to safety. (Green circle being of “lowest concern” and gray square being “not acceptable to be used in the EPA’s Safer Choice Label.”)

Acetone is categorized as a yellow triangle (2), which means it has some hazard profiles.

However, when it comes to acetone in a nail polish remover, it’s less about “toxicity” and more about the effect it has on nails and skin. Used as a nail polish remover, it’s harsh on nails and skin and is the most common cause of irritant contact dermatitis. Excessive use of acetone products can also lead to dry, brittle nails—completely stripping the skin and nail bed of natural oils (3).

But (!) the good news is, after consulting the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredient List, we’ve identified some less harsh options for solvents.

TIP: For at-home manis, rather than use acetone to remove any oil from the nail bed prior to applying polish, use ethyl alcohol instead to dry out the bed so the varnish can bind.

Better alternatives to acetone

Better nail polish removers typically position themselves as “acetone free” and will avoid using acetone and its derivatives as an active ingredient—choosing a less harsh option instead.

Some of these less harsh solvents are as follows. Most of these are also listed as a “green circle” on the EPA’s Safer Chemical Ingredient List.

• Dimethyl Succinate (4)
• Ethyl Acetate (5)
• Dimethyl Adipate (6)
• Dimethyl Glutarate (2)
• Propylene Carbonate (7, 8)
• Butyl Acetate (9)
• Isopropyl Alcohol (2)
• Methyl Soyate (soybean oil methyl ester, or methyl oleate /palmitate /linoleate /stearate) (2)

Additional ingredients to consider in natural nail polish removers

But of course the buck doesn’t stop at better swaps for acetone (I mean, how often is it just one ingredient that we’re keeping an eye out for?). Non acetone nail polish removers could still contain ingredients that raise a red flag. Keep these ingredients in mind as you shop for a nontoxic nail polish remover.

Ingredients to celebrate (look for) in natural nail polish removers

On the flip side, some brands include nourishing, skin-loving ingredients that are really cool to see in a nail polish remover. Of course these won’t be the same across the board, but here are some nourishing ingredients we’ve seen in some of the natural nail polish removers.

• Rosa rubiginosa seed oil—Highly moisturizing and provides excellent anti-aging properties, helping in the regeneration and healing of damaged skin (19).
• Tocopherol—An antioxidant (20).
• Aloe vera gel—Skin soothing and moisture-retaining (21).
• Rosemary—Anti-fungal, antioxidant and antibacterial (22).
• Equisetum (horsetail) arvense extract—Anti-inflammatory (23).

Our top picks for natural nontoxic nail polish removers

We’ve scoured the worldwide inventory of better nail polish removers and we are excited to report back on our top three. These are the best of the best that we’ve found when it comes to healthier natural nail polish remover that still works.

It’s sheer coincidence that all three of our top picks have a different delivery method, but how cool (!) because now we have options!

Kure Bazaar Natural Nail Polish Remover Rose | $32

By far, our top pick for several reasons. Kure Bazaar just seems to do everything right here. We see diethyl succinate being used as a less harsh solvent. And in addition, we also see nourishing ingredients like patchouli leaf oil, rosa rubiginosa seed oil and tocopherol. Let’s get right to the pros + cons.

Kure Bazaar Natural Nail Polish Remover Rose Pros:

• Just shy of 8.5 oz, this thing is HUGE.
• Packaged in glass.
• Still smells like a solvent, but the scent is very mild in comparison to your typical nail polish remover.
• Does not dry out hands or nails.
• Leaves hands and nails feeling conditioned.
• Super cute packaging.
• Actually works (novel, right?).

Kure Bazaar Natural Nail Polish Remover Rose Cons (Considerations):

• Price.
• Won’t work as fast as an acetone remover, but it will take your polish off.

Full ingredient list: rose damascena flower water, diethyl succinate, pogostemon cablin leaf oil, rosa rubiginosa seed oil, tocopherol, citric acid, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate.

Kure Bazaar Nail Polish Remover Rose | $32

A safer, more natural nail polish remover with an oil-like texture that does not whiten nor dry the nails or hands, leaving nails feeling hydrated and soft.

SAVE: Use code TNK15to save 15% on your first order at The Detox Market.

Côte Take Off Towelettes | $14

Côte chooses EPA-green-circle propylene carbonate as a solvent and compliments it with nourishing horsetail extract, rosemary leaf extract and aloe leaf juice. Plus, we love the convenience of keeping a couple in your bag for those omg-why-do-I-still-have-this-nail-polish-on-it’s-been-5-weeks moments.

Côte Take Off Towelettes Pros:

• One-the-go convenience.
• Won’t dry out nails.
• Leaves hands and nails feeling conditioned.
• A light orangey scent.
• One wipe can do both hands (unless it’s a red and you may need two).
• No additional materials needed (cotton rounds, paper towels, etc.).
• Works.

Côte Take Off Towelettes Cons (Considerations):

• Potentially creates more waste than using remover out of a bottle.
• Each box only comes with 8 wipes.

Full ingredient list: propylene carbonate, alcohol denat, equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, tocopheryl acetate, water, natural tuscan blood orange oil blend.

Côte Take-off Towels | $14

Acetone-free towels that remove nail polish without the harsh chemicals. With a citrusy smell and compact form, they’re perfect for traveling.

Olive + June Polish Remover Pot | $10

Olive + June is bringing us right back to the 80s with their remover pot—lol. Twist the cap off and nostalgia ensues. It’s like I’m right back at my nan’s kitchen table watching her do her nails when I was 10. Love that this formula is a bare-bones “everything you need and nothing you don’t” version of a better remover. Here’s what else it offers.

Olive + June Polish Remover Pot Pros:

• Price.
• No additional materials needed (cotton rounds, paper towel, etc.).
• Vegan + cruelty free.
• No-frills formula.
• Works.
• Easy to use.

Olive + June Polish Remover Pot Cons (Considerations):

• Plastic packaging.
• O+J says this product is meant to last 2-3 months tops.
• The re-dip heebie-jeebies.
• Dark colors and glitters can cling to the inside of the sponge.

Full ingredient list: ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, alcohol, water/aqua/eau, isopropyl myristate.

Olive & June Polish Remover Pot | $10

The perfect natural nail polish remover. A gentle, non-acetone formula that is mess-free and eco-friendly. No cotton or wipes needed. You just dip in your finger and twist until the color is removed.

SAVE: Use code THENEWKNEWto save 20% off all Olive & June systems purchases (including Mani, Pedi & Complete Systems) at Olive & June.