How to remove gel nail polish with oil

Gel polish formulas vary in strength, so the wait time can be anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. The process will take about 10 minutes for softer gel polish, and may take longer the harder the gel is (polishes used for nail extension and strengthening are typically harder), Romah says. If you don’t get it exactly right the first time, you can always rewrap and keep on soaking.

Yankee’s expert tip: “Sometimes it’s best to do one hand at a time at home. I like to start with the dominant hand to get the toughest part out of the way.” So if you’re a lefty, begin soaking the nails on your left hand, and then your right hand will be a breeze. “It’s a small change, but it makes a huge difference,” she says.

Step 4: Gently scrape away the layers and soak again if needed.

Once you give the acetone time to work its magic, remove the foil and cotton and then grab the file (or a nail buffer or cuticle stick) and continue to gently scrape the layers to safely remove the gel polish from your nail. If you’ve soaked long enough, the first few coats will begin to peel off easily.

If you encounter more resistant layers, you’ll need to loosen them up with another acetone soak. Repeat the soaking-and-scraping method until you’ve safely removed all of the color, including the base coat.

Step 5: Wash up and moisturize.

“After you finish soaking in acetone, you want to make sure that you wash it off thoroughly,” Yankee says. She also suggests applying another coat of cuticle oil to replenish some of that lost moisture from the acetone.

If you want to get a little fancier than petroleum jelly this time, try the highly rated favorite Maccibelle Cuticle Oil ($7, Amazon), which comes in three different scents: milk and honey, pomegranate, and tea tree and lavender. Yankee also suggests keeping the moisturizing habit up for a few days “just to replenish the moisture in your nails,” since acetone can be so harsh. After you apply the cuticle oil, it’s a good idea to follow up with a rich moisturizer or hand cream that contains humectants, emollients, and/or occlusives—apply it to your nails and the surrounding area to nourish dried-out skin post-acetone application.

“Humectants, like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, are substances that bind water into the stratum corneum (the very outer layer of the skin) and can help retain the skin’s moisture,” Dr. King says.

Emollients, which are nourishing fat- or oil-based ingredients (like squalane or ceramides) help ensure the skin doesn’t lose moisture, and also help soften and smooth skin texture. Occlusives—which include ingredients like petroleum, beeswax, and lanolin—physically block water loss from the skin, Dr. King says.

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How to remove gel polish without acetone 

Especially if you have sensitive skin or are prone to onychoschizia—a condition of brittle peeling nails, per the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology—frequent use of acetone can irritate your skin and nails. “Acetone strips the skin of oils and can contribute to dryness, which can lead to onychoschizia,” Dr. King says. The best solution is to use acetone-based nail polish remover sparingly (luckily, gel manicures last a long time, so you won’t have to remove gel nail polish too frequently) and moisturize well afterward, Dr. King adds.

Your mani may not be the most pressing thing on your mind these days. But if you haven't been to a nail salon in a few weeks (or months), you will likely come to a point where your gel nails require maintenance that only a pro can offer. Aside from visible regrowth not looking quite as fresh or polished as you’d like, letting gel polish grow too far can strain the health of your nails, leaving them frail and damaged (due to weight imbalance and lifted, jagged edges).

Your best bet: Take it all off. We asked nail experts for their pro-tips on how to remove gel polish safely from the comfort of home. With a couple key tools (you might need to do some online shopping for this) and a little patience you’ll have healthy, naked nails in no time.

Does Gel Polish Ruin Your Nails?

When worn and removed responsibly, gel nail polish can provide a longer-lasting manicure than traditional polish, as it's hardened and cured under LED light to minimize chipping. We recommend taking a breather between gel applications, and using essentials like strengthener to help your natural nails maintain their firmness while using this beauty method.

How Salons Take Off Gel Polish

In addition to applying acetone-soaked cotton balls directly to the nail and wrapping them in aluminum foil for upwards of 10 minutes, your local nail salon may also opt to use professional tools, like a nail drill, to remove existing polish.

How to Remove Gel Nail Polish at Home

We know too well the temptation that comes with wanting to pick and peel off your gel polish. That moment of satisfaction will be fleeting, but the damage you inflict on your nails could take weeks to repair.

1. File It Down

Don't overthink it: removing gel nails at home is the same exact process as the salon. First, you're going to want to grab a fresh nail file (we love ones from Tweezerman at any drugstore). Sarah Gibson Tuttle, CEO and founder of the celeb-favorite nail salon Olive & June, says if one nail breaks or chips, file it down to a shape that you want and to leave it alone after if you can. If you want to take the entire manicure off completely, start by carefully filing away just the topcoat seal. "I recommend using a medium 180 grit file to gently remove as much of the topcoat as you can," says New York-based celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. You know you've removed enough of the topcoat when the color fades and finish becomes dull, Kandalec adds. Be careful not to file off the entire polish as that can cause damage.

2. Soak It Off

Now for the step that will test your patience. Place a cotton ball or pad (the latter holds liquid better, according to celebrity nail artist Elle) in acetone on each of your nails, then wrap the tip of your finger in foil to hold the ball in place. "Acetone evaporates quickly," says Kandalec. "The biggest mistake that leads to gel not coming off completely is not soaking the cotton enough." According to the American Academy of of Dermatology Association, using plastic wrap is another great option for removal, as it creates a tighter seal than foil, so the acetone is less likely to drip. Repeat on all 10 nails. Then, let your nails soak for for about 10 to 15 minutes, letting them go longer if the polish doesn't easily slide off. You'll know the acetone has fully removed the gel when the polish looks lifted from the nail. Tuttle says if you want to expedite the process (and make the experience more spa-like), wrap your hands in a warm towel or a heating pad to loosen the gel. "Acetone needs heat to work properly," says Elle.

If you don't have acetone, don't fret. Repeat the same filing step, but instead of soaking your nails in acetone-doused cotton, place your hands in bowl of warm water, dish soap, and a teaspoon of salt for 20 to 30 minutes. This should soften the gel enough so you can easily remove the polish from the nail bed, says Tuttle. Pro tip: Add cuticle oil into the soapy solution for extra hydration.

3. Remove Gently

If the polish isn't easily sliding off, grab a fresh acetone-soaked cotton ball and place it on the nail for a few more minutes. Working on one nail at a time, use a careful twisting-and-squeezing motion to pull off the foil. For any extra polish left over, grab an orange stick (never a metal tool, which can damage the nail) and softly scrape away the gel towards the top of your finger—never back and against the grain of the nail, Kandalec adds.

4. Nourish Your Nails

While acetone works wonders in removing gel, it can make your nail sensitive and dry. Once all the polish is off, rinse any residual acetone with soap and water and add moisture back to your nail beds with an oil like CND's Solar Oil or Olive & June's cuticle serum. Kandalec even suggests add an oil before soaking to prevent dehydration. Lock all the moisture in with a rich hand cream as your last step.

Everything You Need to Remove a Gel Mani

Tweezerman Neon Hot Nail Files, Assorted 3 Count

Cutex Ultra-Powerful Nail Polish Remover

SEPHORA COLLECTION Organic Cotton Pads

orly Gel Foil Remover Wraps

ULTA Manicure Sticks

CND Solar Oil Nail and Cuticle Conditioner

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