Nail Polish Remover for Water Based Nail Polishes

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently been accumulating complimentary nail polish removers. Regular acetone and non acetone nail polish removers do not work on all types of nail polish. To successfully get water based nail polish off your nails you need a remover intended for water based nail polish.

So far I have tried water-based, soy-based and alcohol-based removers with water based polishes. I am planning to compare the various removers soon. For now, just know that your regular old smelly remover is not going to work with water based polishes.

Perhaps my biggest frustration with water based polishes is how hard they are to remove. One time it took over 30 minutes for me to get the polish off my nails! Since then I have learned some useful tid bits about removal. I will share with you what I have learned. If you have any more suggestions, please share in the comments below. It will save us all some time and scrubbing.

Removing Water Based Nail Polishes:

1. Select one of the brands of remover intended for use with water based polishes.
2. With water based polish, timing is always key. The best time to paint your nails is right before bed. The best time to remove your polish is right after a shower or bath.
3. Cotton balls will not do the trick. Go for something with more texture, such as cotton rounds or piece of old cloth.
4. Soak the cotton round in remover and slather a good helping of remover onto each nail. Allow it to soak in for a minute. Be patient. Sitting and letting the remover soak in is easier than scrubbing away forever! 
5. Starting with the first nail, hold the cotton pad drenched in remover on the nail for a few seconds.
6. Then wipe off some of the polish.
7. Move onto the next nail and wipe for a bit, then the next.
8. After you have wiped at all of your nails for a short bit, go back to the first and repeat. 
9. Continue this process until all or almost all of the polish is removed.
10. If there are still stubborn bits left, immerse your nails in warm water and scrape off the bits with a wooden cuticle stick.
11. Wash, dry, and moisturize your hands with jojoba oil.

Removal may take longer than you are accustomed to with regular nail polish, but at least you are avoiding the dangerous fumes found in regular polish and remover!