Removing Gel Polish With Acetone: Steps & Tips for Beginners

Using acetone removers is the only way to properly – and safely – remove your gel polish. But knowing how to use acetone correctly at home is really important to protect your natural nails underneath and ensure that you remove your mani fully.

We've bundled all our knowledge, tips, and hacks into a handy step-by-step on how to remove gel polish with acetone so you can confidently take off your gel mani at home.

First, though, you need to make sure you’ve got the right products. We’ve listed out the tools and products you need (yes – need) to get the job done. You can even get 15% off when you join our newsletter, and free delivery*.

Some people like to think that they can cheat the system and find an alternative to acetone for removing gel polish. But let's clear that up – acetone is the only thing that will fully remove your mani.

Acetone is a powerful solvent that breaks down the gel formula. Other solutions, like regular nail polish remover, won't be able to cut through the tough gel, leaving you with partially removed polish and a lot of frustration.

Not only that, but incorrectly removing your gels – whether that's using the wrong remover or peeling the polish off –  can damage your natural nail bed underneath, causing your nails to feel thinner or bendier and more prone to breakage.

So, in short, you should always stick to using acetone as it is the most effective and safe way to remove gel polish.

Acetone or acetone-based gel removers can come in different strengths and formulas.

While they should all be effective at removing gel polish, you might find some methods work better for you than others, or you might simply prefer using a certain type of remover.

Pure acetone, or 100% acetone, is as it sounds – a strong and pure version of the chemical.

This is usually the most effective at removing gel polish because it can break down the bonds in the formula quickly and more easily. We'd also recommend using this for soaking off gel tips, acrylics, and other nail extensions.

However, pure acetone can also be quite harsh on the skin and nails, so it's important you use it carefully and as directed. Always wash your hands thoroughly after using it, and make sure to moisturise your nails afterwards.

But as long as you follow the correct removal steps, you'll be left with clean, polish-free nails.

A gel remover that contains acetone is less harsh than pure acetone but still effective. It'll typically be a mix of water and acetone, and it's a great option for those with more sensitive skin or nails.

You use gel remover in the same way as pure acetone (which we'll cover in a moment), so it's really down to personal preference whether you opt for this product.

For those who prefer to cut the faff, pre-soaked remover wraps are a great alternative.

These handy little wraps come with an absorbent nail pad soaked in acetone, which you just need to secure to your nails by wrapping the foil around your finger.

They work just the same as regular pure acetone but cut out the step of having to soak your own wipes into the solution.

If you're after a speedy solution, our Magic Gel Remover will be a real life saver.

This little bottle of magic is brushed on like a polish to your gel nails, and then after just 5-6 minutes, the gel will start to bubble, after which you can gently peel it off.

It still contains acetone, which is what breaks down the polish, but its formula also includes alcohol and other removing agents that make the process quicker.

No matter what type of acetone remover you're using, the method for removing your gels is the same.

We'll walk you through the steps for using our Gel Remover and 100% Pure Acetone at home, ensuring you get rid of your gels easily and safely.

Every removal process for gel polish removal starts with buffing the top layer to remove the shine from the top coat.

This should be done firmly, as the surface needs to be opened up to allow the acetone to penetrate your gel polish. But do be careful not to file too much and damage the nail underneath your gel colour.

Use a 100-grit nail file (or the pink side of our Half Moon Nail Files) to gently buff the shiny top layer. You’ll notice that the shine fades away as you do this, and you'll see a powdery residue on the nail surface – this is completely normal.

Once the top layer is thoroughly buffed, you can soak a cotton pad or our Nail Wipes with Gel Remover or 100% Pure Acetone.

Place the soaked wipe over your nail and secure this with clips or a piece of foil wrapped around the fingertip. Our Gel Polish Soak Off Clips give you extra hold and make sure the acetone is fully in contact with the nail surface for more efficient and effective removal.

If you're using our Pre-Soaked Remover Wraps, you can skip the soaking step and just wrap your fingers in the wraps.

Tear along the line of the sachet, discard the film to reveal the sticky side, pop your finger in so your nail is against the pre-soaked pad. Then, fold over the sides so they stick on the sticky side and your fingertip is snug inside.

Leave this on for 10 to 15 minutes.

After this time, remove the wrap or clip around your nails, and use a Wooden Cuticle Pusher Stick or Gel Scraper to gently push away any gel polish from your nail bed.

You need to be super gentle with this and don’t scrape your natural nails too hard; otherwise, you could damage them. Take your time and be patient.

If the gel is still tough and you have some polish remaining, re-buff and re-wrap your nail for another 10 minutes to remove the remnants.

Once you have completely removed the polish from your nails, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water.

Finish by applying Sweet Almond Nail & Cuticle Oil and hand cream to rehydrate your cuticles and nails.

If you've followed all the steps above and your gel polish still isn't budging, there could be a few reasons why…

When the time comes to remove your gel polish, doing it properly and safely is so important for the health of your natural nails.

While you might be tempted to try out shortcuts to avoid using acetone or save time, using acetone to take off your gel polish is the best method and the only way to ensure it's fully and safely removed. Always follow the right steps and take the time to do it correctly.

But aside from the method, it's also important to use the right products. Gel removal products can vary greatly in their effectiveness, so it's important to know what you're using.

We've made our acetone removers super simple to use and really effective at breaking down the gel polish for easy removal. We've also made sure to include a range of options depending on your preferences, whether you're looking for a quick removal or a classic soak-off method.

You can shop our selection of acetone removers along with our other removal tools, like nail files, scrapers, and nail wipes, to make your gel polish removal process even easier!

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