There are several ways to remove nail polish without using nail polish remover. Here are some methods:
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Rubbing Alcohol: Apply rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer to a cotton ball or pad and place it on your nail. Let it sit for about 10 seconds and gently rub it back-and-forth. Your nail polish should come off fairly quickly.
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Vinegar and Orange Juice: Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and natural orange juice and dip a cotton ball/pad in the mixture. Press on your fingernails for about 10 seconds until the nail polish softens. Then, pull down the cotton pad to remove the polish.
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Lemon: Rub a lemon slice over the nail polish for about a minute. Then, using a q-tip or paper towel, firmly rub the polish off using an upwards motion, avoiding the skin around your nails to prevent irritation. When using lemon juice, saturate a cotton ball and hold it against your fingernail until the nail polish softens. You will then be able to easily rub the polish away.
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Toothpaste: Use a dollop of toothpaste to scrub away polish. Then start scrubbing with an old toothbrush or a paper towel. In general, white toothpastes work best as they lift and pull the color off your nail. Toothpaste with baking soda, a well-known natural cleaning solution, often has the best results.
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Alcohol and Alcohol-Based Products: Use another product that has alcohol in it, like hairspray, perfume, or hand sanitizer. The alcohol will help dissolve the polish on your nails. Just apply the alcohol-based product to a cotton pad, then rub it over your nails. Repeat until all of your nail polish is gone.
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Peel off the nail polish: You can peel off the nail polish using your fingers. However, you can also use a cuticle pusher, a toothpick, or some other thin, blunt object if youre having trouble doing so. Gently push it under the nail polish at the base of your nail until the old polish slides off. It should be easy to pop off completely all in one sheet.
Note that some of these methods may leave your nails and cuticles feeling dry or cracked. Before starting any of the above removal processes, soak your nails in some warm water to expedite the process. According to Christine Koehler, the founder and CEO of Flora 1761, a clean nail polish company, water will expand your nail bed. This can help loosen the polish and prime your nails for one of the following alternative removal methods.
