Nail Polish Remover
Nail polish is removed with nail polish remover or nail pads, which is an organic solvent, but may also include oils, scents and coloring. Nail polish remover packages may include individual felt pads soaked in remover, a bottle of liquid remover that can be used with a cotton ball or cotton pad, and even containers filled with foam that can be used by inserting a finger into the container and twisting until the polish comes off.
The most common type of nail polish remover contains alcohol. It is powerful and effective, but is harsh on skin and nails, which can even make them more brittle. Acetone is considered a volatile organic compound by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It can also be used to remove artificial nails, which are usually made of acrylic.
The common alternative is simply called "non-acetone nail polish remover", which usually contains ethyl acetate. This is a less aggressive solvent and can therefore be used to remove nail polish from artificial nails.
Acetonitrile has been used as a nail polish remover, but is thought to be more toxic. It has been banned in the European Economic Area for cosmetics since 17 March 2000.
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Famous quotes containing the words nail and/or polish:
“The nail that sticks up will be hammered down.”
—Japanese proverb.
“‘Then I polish all the silver, which a supper-table lacquers;
Then I write the pretty mottoes which you find inside the
crackers’—”
—Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836–1911)