Polish remover is the liquid used to take off nail lacquer, gel polish or enhancements; some removers are made for regular polish, others for soaking off gel, dip and acrylic. M1 Nail & Beauty Supply stocks removers from CND, OPI, Bio Seaweed, SuperNail, ONME and BeBeauty, plus foil remover wraps and reusable remover clips from MNBS.
Types of polish remover
| Type | Best for | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lacquer remover | Taking off regular nail polish at the manicure table and pedicure chair. | OPI Expert Touch 110ml, OPI Expert Touch 450ml, OPI Expert Touch 960ml, SuperNail N/A Polish Remover, BeBeauty Pink Remover 500ml, BeBeauty Pink Remover 1 Gallon |
| Gel and enhancement remover | Soaking off gel polish, dip powder and acrylic. | CND Offly Fast 2oz, CND Offly Fast 7.5oz, CND Offly Fast 32oz, Bio Seaweed Unpolished, BeBeauty Soak Off Gel Remover 1 Gallon, SuperNail Nail Off |
| Foil wraps and remover clips | Holding a remover-soaked pad on each nail during gel soak-off. | CND Foil Remover Wrap 10 pk, CND Foil Remover Wrap 250 pk, Melly Foil Removal Wrap 100pcs, Gel Polish Remover Wrap Clip, Remover Wrap Clip for Toe |
How to choose a polish remover
- Lacquer or gel. A lacquer remover takes off regular polish; gel polish, dip and acrylic need a soak-off remover or pure acetone.
- Acetone-free option. Bio Seaweed describes its Unpolished remover as acetone-free and water-based, made to soften gel, acrylic and dip powder.
- Wraps and clips keep the soaked pad pressed on the nail while the gel softens; CND Foil Remover Wraps come with the cotton pad attached.
Related: Acetone, Cotton / cleaning pads, Nail glue remover, Gloves, Lacquer
Polish remover FAQ
Acetone or non-acetone remover: which should I use?
Non-acetone removers are made for regular nail polish. Gel polish, dip and acrylic usually need acetone or a remover made for soak-off. Check the label: Bio Seaweed Unpolished, for example, is acetone-free and its maker says it softens gel, acrylic and dip as well.
How do foil wraps help remove gel polish?
File off the shine of the top coat first, then wrap each nail so a remover-soaked pad sits on the gel. CND Foil Remover Wraps have the pad attached. Leave them on for the time the remover brand gives, then push the softened gel off gently.
How do I take off acrylic nails with a remover?
Clip and file down as much of the acrylic as you can without reaching the natural nail, then soak in a remover made for enhancements, such as SuperNail Nail Off or CND Offly Fast. File off the softened layer and repeat until the acrylic is gone.
Order online for in-store pickup at our Markham, Ontario store, usually ready in 2 to 4 hours, or have your order shipped anywhere in Canada.