Latex, Nitrile or Vinyl Gloves: Which Disposable Glove for a Nail Salon?
By Edmond Lin, M1 Nail & Beauty Supply, Markham, Ontario. Last updated 9 October 2026. Product details come from the box and case labels and from the manufacturers' own listings.
For most nail salon work, nitrile is the default glove: it is latex-free and fits close to the hand. Latex stretches the most and fits the closest, but it cannot be used when the nail tech or the client has a latex allergy. Vinyl fits the loosest and suits short tasks where you change gloves often. This guide compares the three materials and shows what the labels on the gloves we stock actually say.
In this guide
Latex, nitrile and vinyl at a glance
| Material | What it is | Fit | Latex allergy | Gloves we stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latex | Natural rubber | Stretches the most, fits closest | Contains natural rubber latex; not for anyone with a latex allergy | Shamrock 60600 Series |
| Nitrile | Synthetic rubber | Close fit, a little less stretch than latex | Latex-free | TouchFlex black · TouchFlex blue · Basic black |
| Vinyl | PVC, a synthetic plastic | Loosest fit, least stretch | Latex-free | Basic vinyl Small · Medium |
What the labels on our gloves say
| Glove | Grade on the label | Details | Sizes we stock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shamrock latex | Industrial, for non-medical use | Powder-free, 6 mil, fully textured, beaded cuff | XS, S, M, L |
| TouchFlex nitrile, black and blue | Nitrile examination glove | Powder-free, non-sterile, beaded cuff, 9" length. The black box also shows ASTM D6978 chemotherapy drug permeation results | Black S to XL, blue S to L |
| Basic black nitrile 5.5g | General purpose | Powder-free; 5.5 g is the weight of one glove, as the product name gives it | S |
| Basic vinyl | Synthetic exam glove | Latex-free, powder-free, protein-free | S, M |
Every glove in the table is packed 100 to a box and 10 boxes to a case, is ambidextrous and is single-use. We do not list a thickness for TouchFlex or Basic because none is printed on their boxes.
Which glove for which job?
- Manicures, pedicures and detail work, nobody allergic to latex: latex or nitrile. Both fit close enough to feel what you are doing.
- The tech or the client has a latex allergy, or you do not know: nitrile. Keep a latex-free box at every station.
- Tint, dye and dark polish: black nitrile, which does not show stains during the service.
- Short tasks with frequent changes, such as cleaning a station or handling towels: vinyl. It goes on and off quickly because the fit is loose.
Gloves, acetone and other salon chemicals
A thin disposable glove keeps product off your skin for a short time. It is not a chemical barrier. The TouchFlex box says so directly: the glove is not intended for extended exposure to harsh chemicals and is not meant to be used as a chemical barrier. Change gloves as soon as one swells, turns tacky or tears, and do not rely on any disposable glove for a long soak in acetone. For prolonged solvent work, use a glove that its maker rates for that solvent.
"Exam", "industrial" and "general purpose": what the grade means
The grade on the box is the use the manufacturer labels the glove for. Our Shamrock box reads "For Non-Medical Use", the TouchFlex box reads "Nitrile Examination Glove", and the Basic black nitrile case reads "General Purpose Use". If your local public health rules ask for a particular grade of glove, check the box against those rules before you order.
Questions salons ask
Are nitrile gloves latex-free?
Yes. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber and contains no natural rubber latex. The TouchFlex black box is marked "Latex Free".
Which glove is best for someone with a latex allergy?
A latex-free glove: nitrile for a close fit, or vinyl for short tasks. Glove components can still cause a reaction in some people, so anyone with a known sensitivity should check the box first.
How many gloves are in a box and in a case?
100 gloves in a box and 10 boxes in a case, so a case is 1,000 gloves. That is 500 pairs, because the gloves are ambidextrous.
Can disposable gloves be reused?
No. Every glove on this page is labelled single-use. Use a new pair for each client.
Where can I buy salon gloves in Canada?
M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks latex, nitrile and vinyl gloves by the box and by the case in Markham, Ontario, with in-store pickup and shipping across Canada. See all disposable gloves.
Latex, nitrile and vinyl gloves, by the box of 100 or the case of 10 boxes.
Shop glovesProduct details follow the box and case labels and the manufacturers' own listings (Shamrock Manufacturing and INTCO Medical), checked in October 2026.
