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!

Jojoba Oil for Cuticles and Hands

Along with water based nail polishes, I have recently added some nail care products to my collection. My hands get dry easily, especially my cuticles and the skin right around my nails. At first I was unsure which moisturizing products would work with water based nail polishes. I avoided using regular hand lotion the day before and day after applying water based nail polish. I did not want the oil and emollients in the lotion to cause the polish to chip.

I finally found a moisturizer for cuticles and hands that is natural, organic, vegan and works with water based nail polishes! It's called jojoba oil. It is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows in the South Western United States. Jojoba oil is the plant based substance that most closely resembles oil found on human skin. Since it mimics out natural oils it is easily absorbed into the skin and helps lock in moisturizer.

There are two main ways to use jojoba oil with nail polish. First, you can use it when buffing your nails. Add a drop of jojoba oil to each nail and rub it in. Then use a three sided nail buffer to buff your nails. This helps drive the oil deep into your nails and leaves them looking healthy and shiny!

The second way to use jojoba oil is as a cuticle oil and hand moisturizer. Take a few drops and massage it into your cuticle and the skin near your nails. Then rub your hands together and distribute the rest of the oil over your hands. Let it soak in a bit to minimize the residue.



Have you used jojoba oil? What else do you use it for, other than as a hand and nail treatment?