It is best to opt for nail polish and removers that don’t contain isopropyl acetone, n-methyl-pyrrolidone, formaldehyde, or methyl ethyl ketone. As an added benefit, there are nail polish removers that contain nourishing ingredients like soybean oil. Below, you’ll find the best pregnancy-safe nail polish remover. Always consult with your obstetrician before using any products.
Best Pregnancy Safe Nail Polish Removers
The Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover is an acetone-free polish remover made with just 3 ingredients, however, the ZOYA Remove Plus 3 in 1 Formula does contain a milder form of acetone, which is best to avoid when pregnant, although this is more gentle than the true acetone nail polish remover.
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
The Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover is formulated to remove regular nail polish, shellac polish, and Mineral Fusion gel nail polish, even in dark and glitter shades. It does not remove gel nail polish from the salon (but you should avoid gel manicures while pregnant because of UV light exposure anyway).
In addition to removing nail color well, this preps your nail surface. It leaves it clean and nourished, which can extend the life of your nail polish.
Mineral Fusion nail polish remover is acetone-free and made of just three ingredients. The simple formula means it doesn’t contain parabens, talc, phthalates, SLS, artificial colors, or gluten. This makes it great for people with sensitive skin, too. It is hypoallergenic and certified by both Leaping Bunny and the Environmental Working Group. The remover is vegan and cruelty-free.
Even though this is a non-acetone nail polish remover, it works very effectively to remove most types of nail polish. Additionally, it has the benefit of cleaning your nails. Since it cleans, however, it does not moisturize so this isn’t the best choice if you want something that is going to strengthen your nails or prevent peeling.
The smell is still strong but it is more pleasant than acetone-based nail polish removers. You will want to be sure you keep the bottle upright- several users have reported leaking from the bottle.
Pros
- Cleans and preps your nails for more polish
- Free of many harmful ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Effective at removing even dark and glitter polish
- Only has three ingredients
- No synthetic colors
- Makes your nail polish last longer when used before painting
Cons
- Doesn’t moisturize the nail bed
- Bottle leaks when it is sideways
- Contains ingredients that may irritate the skin or cause moderate endocrine problems or organ toxicities according to EWG (Environmental Work Group). It is rated 3 by EWG.
ZOYA Remove Plus 3 in 1 Formula Polish Remover
The ZOYA Remove Plus 3 in 1 Formula removes nail polish and cleans your nails, prepping them for the next color. The preparation helps your nail lock in longer, which means more time between manicures.
Even though this is a gentler, more mild nail polish remover, it does contain acetone. It is different than other products on the market because of the glycerine that it uses to counteract the drying effects of acetone. Many users also report that the smell of this remover is milder than others containing acetone.
The major benefit of this nail polish remover is that it’s incredibly effective. It even removes glitter and dark colors of nail polish without any streaking, staining, or polish left behind.
ZOYA nail polish remover also has a unique pump that lets you control how much you put on the cotton ball better. This means that less is wasted, which is nice considering many of these more natural nail polish removers are a little more pricy than those you may be used to buying. One thing to note about the pump, however, is that it can compress the bottle as it is used. You can fix this by opening the top and letting the air return to the bottle as needed.
Pros
- Removes nail polish
- Moisturizes and prepares for the new color
- Works on glitter and dark colors without streaks or staining
- Uses glycerine to counteract the drying effects of acetone
- Pump to help control how the remover comes out
- Gentler than most acetone nail polish removers
- Free of many other chemicals found in traditional nail polish
- Scent isn’t overwhelming to most people
Cons
- Need to unscrew to stop the bottle from being pulled in
- Contains acetone, which can cause risk to your unborn baby and is linked to organ toxicities
- Contains fragrance, which can lead to irritation
- It is rated 4 by EWG
Best Soy-Based Nail Polish Remover
Karma Organic Rose Oil Nail Polish Remover
The Karma Organic Rose Oil Nail Polish Remover is a soy-based nail polish remover. It’s enhanced with rose oil to soften your cuticles and strengthen your nails. In addition to the remover with rose oil, this is available with tea tree oil or lavender oil. They also sell unscented nail polish remover with Vitamin E.
Karma Organic is a brand that strives to create organic, natural products. They also minimize their impact on the environment by using eco-friendly glass bottles and working with local farmers. Their products are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Karma Organic nail polish remover is effective at removing nail polish. In most cases, you’ll want to apply it and let it sit for a minute before wiping the nail. Then, repeat as necessary until you’ve removed all the nail polish. It does take a little longer than an acetone polish, but that is to be expected because the ingredients are not as harsh.
While the oil is effective at removing nail polish, it can also damage other surfaces. You’ll want to be careful when storing this, especially on plastic or wooden unfinished surfaces because it can permanently damage it.
The smell is very pleasant and does not smell of chemicals at all. If any are overwhelming, it is also available in several other scents. In addition to those mentioned above, you can find this for your child’s nails in scents like cherry and bubblegum. Something I also liked about this brand was that the phone number and email address to contact them is right on the front.
Pros
- Available in several scents and unscented
- Leaves nail beds nourished
- Natural product that has eco-friendly packaging
- Works well for a non-acetone based polish
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Sources from local farmers
Cons
- May damage plastic or unfinished wood
- Contains potential irritants
Best Plant-Based Nail Polish Remover
Rippling Kindness Nail Polish Remover
The Rippling Kindness Nail Polish Remover is a natural, plant-based nail polish remover. It is non-acetone and free of chemicals and recommended for everyone from kids to pregnant moms.
This is a product that lets you feel safe about what you’re putting on your skin. The ingredients list has been verified by the Environmental Working Group, which ranks product ingredients on a scale from 0-10, with 0 being no risk and 10 being the highest risk. All the ingredients found in this nail polish remover have a score of 0 or 1. It is also eco-friendly, containing biodegradable ingredients, and being animal-friendly.
In addition to being free of acetone, this does not contain any acetate, petroleum chemicals, or ethyl lactate. Rippling Kindness nail polish remover also strengthens and moisturizes the nails, leaving them healthier than they were before you painted them.
This is as effective as an acetone polish remover, however, it does take longer. The bottle comes with a dropper. The manufacturer recommends applying it to the nail color, waiting five minutes, and then wiping it with a cotton ball. You may need to apply more than once, especially with more layers and hard-to-remove polish like glitter.
It leaves your nails noticeably healthier than acetone remover and doesn’t have the same chemical smell as well. The odor from this is mild and pleasant.
Something else to keep in mind is that this does contain oils and natural solvents that can damage wood or plastic. You’ll want to be careful while storing it and avoid using it over a wooden table, especially one that is unfinished.
Pros
- Ingredients rated 0 or 1 by the EWG
- Non-acetone
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Mild, pleasant scent
- Biodegradable and animal-friendly
- Dropper makes it easy to apply
- Strengthens and moisturizes for healthier nails
Cons
- Damages plastic and wood
- Not as effective as acetone remover
- Complete ingredient list not available online
Comparing the Best Pregnancy Safe Nail Polish Removers
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover | 9.9 | 9.6 | 16.77 |
| ZOYA Remove Plus 3 in 1 Formula Polish Remover | 9.8 | 9.4 | 12.00 |
| Karma Organic Rose Oil Nail Polish Remover | 9.7 | 9.0 | 11.99 |
| Rippling Kindness Nail Polish Remover | 3.9 | 8.6 | - |
How We Chose These Products
Toxicity
The primary concern with nail polish remover while pregnant is the harsh fumes and chemicals absorbed into your skin. There are three ingredients commonly found in nail polish remover that can be harmful to you and your baby: n-methyl-pyrrolidone, isopropyl acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. Some manufacturers might also be free of more than these three toxic ingredients.
If you have any questions about a specific ingredient, websites like the Environmental Working Group rank them according to toxicity. Buying brands with fewer ingredients also makes it easy to understand what you’re putting on your body.
Odor
The scent of nail polish remover is usually strong and off-putting, even when you aren’t pregnant. Since strong smells can cause nausea during pregnancy, we also considered how each of these removers smelled. This included the type of smell (some are chemical, while others might have fragrances or oil like lavender) as well as the intensity of the smell. Even fragrances that are meant to be pleasant can be overwhelming, especially for a pregnant woman.
One thing you can do if you are especially sensitive to smells is to look for one that is unscented. You should also use nail polish remover in a well-ventilated area so the odor isn’t as concentrated.
Effectiveness
The most commonly used nail polish remover works using acetone and other harsh ingredients. Since many of the nontoxic nail polish remover brands aren’t as harsh, they also don’t work as quickly to remove nail polish. Even though they may not work as fast as acetone, however, you do still want something that effectively removes your polish.
Nourishment
In addition to being less toxic, some types of nail polish remover contain nourishing ingredients for your nails. These may strengthen your nails, reducing the risk of peeling, leaving nails healthy and shiny. Some common extra ingredients include Vitamins C and E, as well as essential oils that nourish and add a pleasant smell.
FAQs – Pregnancy Safe Nail Polish Remover
Which nail polish remover is safe during pregnancy?
Many of the ingredients included in these products are controversial, should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy, or have limited or no data/research on use during pregnancy. Some ingredients have been linked to non-pregnancy-related health problems. Many products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Since no studies have been conducted on these products on pregnant women, there is no absolute certainty that these are 100% safe. Always consult your obstetrician before starting any products while you are pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant.
Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic products, the Environmental Work Group (EWG) has created a database of products. It offers information on the most popular products and ingredients, such as whether the product is an irritant/allergen or linked to organ/reproductive toxicities. It rates products from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least toxic. It is best to stick to products that rate EWG verified, 1 or 2.
It is best to choose nail polish removers that are free of ethyl acetone, n-methyl-pyrrolidone, and methyl ethyl ketone. These are the three ingredients that have the biggest risk to your unborn fetus.
Even though scientists haven’t conclusively determined they are unsafe, acetone has been linked to birth defects and male reproductive problems in rats, as well as damage to the nerves, kidneys, and liver.
N-methyl-pyrrolidone has been linked to stillbirth in women exposed to it in their place of work. It’s a common solvent used in the fields of a pesticide formulation, microelectronics, petroleum refining, and veterinary medicine.
Methyl ethyl ketone has had its effects studied in pregnant mice. It resulted in lower birth weight and various malformations including fused ribs, cleft palate, syndactyly, and missing vertebrae.
It’s worth noting that nail polish also has potentially harmful ingredients. You can find our list of best pregnancy-safe nail polish brands here.
Is acetone safe while pregnant?
Acetone is most toxic when ingested. People often breathe it in from the environment, their workplace, or even when using products like nail polish remover at home.
Even though no human studies have been done, science shows that animals exposed to acetone over a long period of time have problems with their nerves, kidneys, and liver. There was also an increase in male reproductive problems and birth defects.
When used in small amounts to remove nail polish, it doesn’t cause the same effects as regular and frequent exposure.
Even though it’s unlikely that the small amount of acetone absorbed into the skin and lungs when using nail polish remover will harm you or your baby, it’s still best to be cautious. There are several alternatives like soy-based remover that will take nail polish off without exposing you to any harmful chemicals.
Is smelling nail polish remover while pregnant dangerous?
The risks associated with inhaling nail polish remover fumes come from the exposure to acetone and other solvents. Several of these have had negative effects on the fetuses of lab rats. There are also individual cases of women exposed to the chemicals in their workplace that had negative effects including stillbirth, development of malformations, low birth weight, and other issues.
However, it’s worth noting that the amount you smell if you take your nail polish off once or twice a week is less likely to cause fetal harm. It is safest to use it as little as possible. Most pregnant women are not exposed unless they work in a salon or are exposed in their workplace.
The biggest risk when you are only exposed occasionally is nausea and dizziness, especially when your sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy. You can find a low-odor formulation or work in a well-ventilated area to reduce the smell.
