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Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover in 2025
Updated:
Aug 28, 2025
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What we look for:
- Gentle, minimalist formulas with safer solvents like ethyl acetate, isopropyl myristate, or well-formulated acetone
- Free from formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, benzophenone-1, and other harsh or toxic solvents
- No synthetic fragrance, unapproved dyes, or undisclosed ingredients
- Third-party certifications when available
- Full transparency with every ingredient clearly listed
Find Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover
Nail Polish Remover - Karma Organic
Welpr Rating
4.85
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$11.99
Product Details
- Nourishing formula that leaves nails smooth and deeply moisturized.
- Contains natural, toxic-free ingredients with soybean oil for gentle removal.
- Acetone-free to avoid irritation, ideal for those sensitive to harsh chemicals.
- Unscented option available for individuals with fragrance sensitivities.
- Vegan and cruelty-free, promoting ethical and environmentally friendly practices.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Effectively removes polish while being non-toxic and gentle on nails.
- Leaves nails healthy and moisturized without any harsh smells.
- Works well even on stubborn polish types, like glitter.
- Has a pleasant floral scent, enhancing the nail care experience.
- Environmentally friendly with recyclable packaging.
Cons
- May take longer to remove polish compared to traditional acetone products.
- Some users might find it more expensive than regular options.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Propylene Carbonate, Soybean Oil, Methyl Easter, Tocopheryl Acetate
Organic Nail Polish Remover - Dr.'s Remedy
Welpr Rating
4.8
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$19.95
Product Details
- Gentle, acetone-free formula removes polish without harsh chemicals, perfect for brittle or sensitive nails.
- Infused with botanical ingredients like safflower, aloe vera, lemon peel, and lotus flower to nourish while it cleans.
- Hydrates and moisturizes to prevent dryness and peeling, leaving nails and cuticles soft and healthy.
- Doctor-formulated care developed by podiatrists for nail health and overall well-being.
- Clean beauty choice that is vegan, cruelty-free, and free from toxins for a safer, spa-like polish removal experience at home.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gentle on nails, avoiding harmful effects.
- Quickly removes polish without drying nails.
- Free from harsh chemical smells, suitable for regular and non-toxic polishes.
- Keeps nails conditioned and healthy.
Cons
- Some users may find it less effective in removing polish compared to regular acetone.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate Bio Sourced, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera Root Extract
Nail Polish Remover - Sienna Byron Bay
Welpr Rating
4.8
/5
Certifications
Highlights
Est. Price
$34.99
Product Details
- Formulated with horsetail plant extract to strengthen nails and support growth.
- Made from plant-based ingredients, ensuring no toxic chemicals.
- Comes in 100% recyclable packaging to reduce environmental impact.
- Cruelty-free and vegan, with no animal testing or animal-derived ingredients.
- Developed by a team of researchers dedicated to nail care.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Gently removes polish without drying nails or cuticles.
- Free from harsh chemicals and strong odours.
- Leaves nails hydrated, smooth, and naturally coloured.
- Subtle, pleasant fragrance makes removal more enjoyable.
- Effective at removing even deep colours with minimal product.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Diethyl Succinate, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
Nail Polish Remover Twist & Scrub Sponge - Cutex
Welpr Rating
4.75
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$7.04
Product Details
- Acetone-free formula for a gentler nail care experience.
- Helps maintain healthier nails without harsh chemicals.
- Designed for quick and easy nail polish removal.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quick and easy to use, removing polish in seconds.
- Convenient and mess-free with built-in sponge.
- Great for travel due to compact size.
- Effective on different types of nail polish, including gel.
- Gentle on skin and non-irritating to breathe.
Cons
- Some users find the size smaller than expected, leading to potential spills if not careful.
- May not be ideal for those with larger fingers or longer nails.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Acetone, Aqua (Water (Eau)), Glycerin, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethyl Glutarate, Dimethyl Adipate, Denatonium Benzoate, Dimethyl Succinate, Gelatin
Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.
Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.
User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.
The Stripper Hydrating Nail Polish Remover - Deborah Lippmann
Welpr Rating
4.7
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$22.00
Product Details
- Contains hydrating aloe vera to prevent dryness.
- Leaves no chalky residue after use.
- Infused with a calming lavender scent for a pleasant experience.
- Fast-acting formula effectively removes nail polish.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to use with a no-spill design.
- Effective for quickly removing single layers of polish.
- Eco-friendly bottle that can be recycled.
Cons
- Some users find it less effective on multiple polish layers.
- May have an off-putting smell for certain individuals.
Ingredients
Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.
To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.
Ingredients: Acetone, Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Extract, Ext. Violet 2 (Ci 60730), Geranial, Limonene, Linalool
Our Product Rating System
First, Camille (co-creator of Welpr) hand picks cleaner product options from a variety of sources.
Next, we collect information about each product's safety, consumer satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing.
Finally, we run all this information through an algorithm that calculates the Welpr Rating.
Welpr Rating:
5.0/5
Part 1: Product safety
We evaluate safety information from 3rd party organizations (e.g. EWG, Made Safe, etc.). Instead of relying solely on any one of these companies for safety information, we assess all of them.
Part 2: Consumer satisfaction
We scour the web for consumer ratings and reviews to verify products are not only cleaner options, but also effective. Products can either be Above Average, Average, or Below average for their respective category (e.g. cleaning products).
Part 3: Ethics & Environment
When you buy a product, you’re supporting that company with your dollars. We believe it’s important to support ethical companies, so we pool together certifications that verify a company's ethics and environmental impact.
Common Harmful Chemicals in Nail Polish Remover
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Acetone
Acetone is a colorless, flammable liquid that dissolves in water and has a distinct smell and taste. It is also known as dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, and beta-ketopropane. This manufactured chemical, which is used to create plastic, fibers, drugs, and other chemicals, can also be found in the environment in plants, trees, volcanic gases, forest fires, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfill sites, with industrial processes contributing more to its presence than natural ones. Acetone can be harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled, potentially causing irritation to the skin and respiratory tract, as well as adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS), liver, and kidneys. The allowable exposure limit is set based on its potential to cause eye and upper respiratory irritation and CNS impairment.
Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid that naturally occurs in crude oil and the tolu tree. It's prominent in the production of gasoline, coke from coal, and various consumer products like paints, adhesives, and nail polish. Toluene is even added to gasoline, used to create benzene, and acts as a solvent. However, exposure to toluene, especially from inhalation, can have serious health effects. It primarily targets the central nervous system, inducing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, headaches, and in chronic cases, can cause severe dysfunction. Exposure has also been linked to developmental effects in children, but there isn't enough evidence to conclude its carcinogenic potential. Abuse of toluene can cause permanent brain damage, liver injury, and even potential birth defects or increased risk of spontaneous abortions in pregnant women. Despite these risks, cognitive deficits from toluene exposure below a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm remain extremely low.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), is a manufactured chemical found naturally in some trees, fruits, and vegetables, and is released from vehicle exhausts. The colorless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor is primarily used in paints, coatings, glues, and as a cleaning agent due to its quick evaporation and solubility properties. Human exposure can result in irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and long-term inhalation can cause mild neurological, liver, kidney, and respiratory effects in animals. Developmental effects like decreased fetal weight and malformations have been observed in mice and rats. While the EPA has not classified it for human carcinogenicity, it is listed as a potential substance for narcotic abuse by inhalation by the U.N. International Drug Control Programme due its potential to cause Central Nervous System depression.
Authors
Camille May, Product Curator
Olushola M. Awoyemi, Medical Reviewer
