Artificial nails are convenient to use and, in minutes, they make you look polished and elegant. Stick them on top of your natural nails, and the look is complete. Nail glue, unless you do it right, can be challenging to remove.
Cyanoacrylate, the same chemical used in many kinds of household super glue products, is in nail glue.
Some nail glue formulations can, unlike household glue, contain unique ingredients to support nail growth. Superglue and nail glue both dry quickly and stick to nails tightly. Both are waterproof and, when dry, turn clear.
Here you can learn how to remove nail glue from skin, and you can also use these to remove super glue from any affected area. (Learn How to Remove Glue From Wood)
How do you get nail glue off your skin without acetone?
If you want don’t want to use acetone on your skin, you can find several methods to remove the glue.
Many effective ways use things you have around your home, and besides this, many ways are more natural.
Here are the easy ways how to get nail glue off skin.
Peeling It Off
if you have a lot of glue on your hands or you’ve got sensitive skin, you shouldn’t try this. If there is just a spot or two, then it can be a quick and easy way to remove it.
- Wait until the glue dries before trying to peel it off
- Avoid touching wet glue as this spreads it further
- Use fingernails or tweezers to grab the edges of the dried glue to peel away slowly
- If you can’t grab the edge, try buffing it with a nail file or buffer to loosen it more
Soak Glue in Soapy Water Mixture
A more relaxed method to begin removing nail glue from your skin is soaking your hand in warm soapy water.
- You need a bowl to soak and some warm water. Add to this about a tablespoon of liquid dish washing mild soap.
- Soak the skin in warm water for about a minute. In this time, the glue should soften and allow it to be peeled away without too much effort.
- If you’re struggling with glue removal, again, you can use a nail file or buffer and then soak again for another minute before trying to remove the glue.
- It may take several attempts at soaking to remove all the glue.
If you want an intensive soak, add some lemon juice as the juice’s acid can help break down glue faster. (Learn What is PVA Glue)
Mineral Oil or Spirits
Mineral oils are kind to the skin and make an excellent option for anyone with sensitive skin.
- You can soak the area covered in glue with a cotton pad soaked in mineral oil or spirits
- Either will help the glue loosen, where you can then pull it away
- Repeat soaking as required until the glue residue has been completely removed
Use Oil Based Products
You can find several items in the home, which are oil-based and can be used to quickly help break any bond of the glue to your skin.
Oil in cooking products helps break down glue until you can simply peel it away. Some of what you can use are:
- Margarine
- Olive Oil
- Baby Oil
All you have to do is simply apply it onto the area covered in glue. After a while, it will begin coming off, or you can easily peel it away.
Use Laundry Detergent Mix
Being similar to soap and water method, you can use any laundry detergent. Simply mix it with warm water.
- For a small glue area, you need around 1/4 cup of detergent and water mixed in a small bowl.
- Depending on the amount of glue, soak your hands in this mixture for some time.
- Once the area has soaked, you should be able to remove the glue quickly. Soak as is required until you can easily remove the glue.
Scrub with Salt
Salt can be a great way to remove unwanted glue from skin.
Make a simple paste from salt and water, which can be abrasive enough to scrape away glue without harming your skin unless you have sensitive skin. (Learn How To Get Glue Off Glass)
Here is a step-by-step guide to getting the best results
- Put two tablespoons of salt in your hands
- Add a little water to make a paste
- Start rubbing the paste into your hands for 30 seconds to a minute
- Rinse a bit of the salt from your hands
- Rub the remaining salt into your hands to continue to loosen the glue
- The salt will dissolve and should remove any sign of glue with it
Petroleum Jelly
After washing in hot, soapy water, you can apply petroleum jelly generously to the affected area, which works like oil-based products.
- Rub the area with oil or petroleum jelly using a nail file for around a minute
- Continue until it removes glue from your skin
- Once the glue is gone, wash and dry your hands again to remove traces of the petroleum jelly
How Do You Remove Fake Nail Glue?
You can see using the above are great ways to get rid of nail glue from skin.
- Immerse your skin in warm soapy water. Make sure the water has suds and soak for to minutes to 15 minutes so you can loosen the nail glue from your skin.
- Gently scrub with a clean toothbrush, to help lift off bits of raised glue.
- Immerse the area in acetone-based nail polish remover, if possible.
- If not, soak your cotton ball or pad in the nail polish remover solution and place onto the area.
- Hold in place for 10 minutes.
- The combination of the acetone and heat helps break the glue bond.
- Acetone nail polish remover can sting, so be sure to avoid areas of open skin.
- As the acetone is drying, rub generously with oil or petroleum jelly. This helps moisturize the skin and helps remove nail glue residue remaining.
How Long Does Nail Glue Stay on Skin?
If you don’t do anything, the glue can remain on your skin for 3 to 5 days.
Does Rubbing Alcohol Remove Nail Glue?
- Immerse skin with nail glue in warm soapy water. This helps soften the skin.
- Pour rubbing alcohol in a bowl to soak your fingers
- Place a cotton ball over your nail and fasten it with strong tape.
- Soak your fingertips for about 15 minutes.
- Gently pull the tape, and lift the fingernail from your finger.
- Wiggle the tape, so you work the nail loose.
- Dip a toothbrush in alcohol and gently brush any remaining glue from your fingers.
- Wash hands in warm soapy water
