How to make homemade nail polish remover
Learn how to make a homemade nail polish remover and avoid acetone and other types of remover that contain toxics
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How to remove nail polish without acetone is certainly a question already asked by those who like to paint their nails. Trying to try out the thousands of nail polish colors available on the market makes it essential to use a very popular product among women: the nail polish remover.
- How to remove nail polish without acetone
Homemade nail polish remover is a much sought after alternative. However, the most used nail polish remover is acetone, a product that is dangerous for humans and the environment. According to the chemical safety information sheet (FISPQ), acetone is a synthetically produced solvent that can release flammable vapors that, when inhaled, can irritate the ocular and nasal mucous membranes.
If acetone is inhaled at high concentrations, there may be narcotic and anesthetic effects, in addition to headache, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, and even unconsciousness. Acetone contact with the skin causes dryness and even inflammation of the skin. This explains the problems in the cuticles and in the region where it is applied when removing the enamel, which are aggravated in those who use it frequently. Due to all these characteristics, this product should not be used directly on the skin.
In environmental terms, acetone also has negative effects, since, in the air, its vapors reduce the concentration of oxygen, making the environment asphyxiating and extremely explosive. In water, it is harmful to fauna and flora, being slowly biodegraded. In the soil, when spilled, the part that does not evaporate can reach the groundwater, contaminating them.
In addition to acetone, there are other types of nail polish remover that are hazardous to health. They can contain mineral oil (derived from petroleum), propylene glycol, among others (mostly toxic).
Many brands use the phrase "acetone-free" (or similar), as if that alone were enough for the product not to present a potential risk to health and the environment, but you must be very careful when comparing nail polish remover and carefully read the label.
Given all this, we searched for a recipe for the most efficient and easy-to-make homemade nail polish remover, with inexpensive ingredients that you certainly have at home.
Homemade nail polish remover
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons ethyl alcohol;
- 1 tablespoon of refined sugar.
Method of preparation
To make your homemade nail polish remover, just mix the ingredients and, before the sugar dissolves in the alcohol, soak a cotton ball in this mixture and apply it to the nail in a circular motion, until the nail polish is removed.
In this formulation, sugar works as an abrasive that mechanically removes the enamel, while alcohol dissolves it. A natural tip to hydrate the region after application is to apply grape seed oil.
Alcohol is antiseptic, less aggressive and less toxic than acetone, but it can also cause some dryness of the skin; therefore, the care to hydrate the region afterwards is super important for the maintenance of beautiful and healthy nails and cuticles.
Although we would like to present a totally natural version for the homemade enamel remover, but unfortunately the composition of enamels does not allow this, as they are basically a mixture of solvents, resins and dyes, composed mostly synthetically.
By opting for the suggested homemade nail polish remover you will be contributing to the reduction of environmental impact and maintaining your beauty routine, changing the color of your nail polish whenever you want and in a more gentle way for your body and your health.
