Traditional nail coating removal systems rely heavily on acetone-based solvents that achieve rapid dissolution but can reduce nail plate hydration below 10% and compromise barrier integrity. These conventional formulations typically operate at solvent concentrations between 70-95%, creating challenges for both nail health and user comfort during the 5-15 minute removal process.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing removal agents that can effectively break polymer cross-links while maintaining nail plate moisture content and preventing protein denaturation.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including emulsion-based systems with alkylene carbonates, gel formulations with thermoplastic resins, and biodegradable water-based removers with ethanolamide surfactants. These and other approaches focus on achieving effective coating removal while preserving nail plate integrity and user comfort.

1. Gel Nail Removal Agent with Swelling and Softening Component and Enhanced Moisturizing Properties

GOTOH EDUCATIONAL CORP, 2023

Gel nail removal agent that is less burdensome to the nails and skin and has excellent moisturizing properties for nails and skin. The agent includes a component that swells gel nails and promotes their softening.

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2. Emulsion-Based Creamy Nail Polish Remover with Alkylene Carbonate and Volatile Fluorine Compound

BLISSPACK CO LTD, 2022

Creamy nail polish remover that moisturizes and protects the nails and surrounding skin without drying or stripping oils. The remover uses an emulsion of alkylene carbonate, lower alcohol, water, and volatile fluorine compound in the continuous phase, along with an emollient and emulsifier in the dispersed phase. This provides a stable, creamy texture. Additives like moisturizers, pH adjusters, thickeners, fragrances, etc can be included. The creamy remover can be packaged in containers or absorbed into substrates like pads.

3. Gel-Based Nail Polish Remover with Thermoplastic Resin and Organic Solvent Composition

SANKYO CHEMICAL CO LTD, 2021

Gel-like nail polish remover that allows people to move their fingers during removal and has better nail polish removal performance compared to liquid removers. The gel-like remover contains a specific thermoplastic resin like polyvinyl butyral or polyvinylpyrrolidone, and an organic solvent with a boiling point of 40-130°C like carbonate esters, acetate esters, ketones, glymes, and cyclic ethers. The remover has a thermoplastic resin content of 1-70% by mass.

4. Nail Polish Remover Compositions with Specific Ratios of Polyhydric Alcohols, Low Carbon Alcohols, and High Boiling Point Esters

LOREAL, 2020

Nail polish remover compositions that effectively remove nail polish without staining the cuticles or damaging the nails. The compositions contain specific ratios of polyhydric alcohols (glycerin, glycols), low carbon alcohols (C2-C3), and high boiling point esters. The compositions also optionally contain thickening agents and abrasives. The ratios of these components enable effective nail polish removal while minimizing staining and damage. The compositions can be substantially free of water and acetone.

5. Paste-Consistent Nail Polish Remover with Acetone-Free Solvent, Wax, and Vegetable Oil Composition

SHANGHAI NENO COSMETICS CO LTD, 2020

A paste-like nail polish remover that eliminates the need for soaking cotton pads and reduces the strong smell and irritation compared to traditional liquid nail polish removers. The paste remover contains 65-80% acetone-free nail polish remover, 5-25% wax, and 0.5-15% vegetable oil. The acetone-free solvent, wax, and oils provide a paste consistency that can be applied directly to nails without dripping. The reduced acetone content reduces volatility and irritation compared to liquid removers. The wax and oils also improve nail health by providing moisturizing benefits.

6. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Glycerol Triesters and Cyclic Carbonates Excluding Acetone

LOREAL, 2020

Odorless nail polish remover that is essentially free of acetone and ethyl acetone. The remover composition contains glycerol triesters, carboxylic acids, glycols, cyclic carbonates, and optionally dyes. The specific components are triacetin, propylene glycol, propylene carbonate, and isopropyl myristate. The remover composition removes nail polish without strong odors or leaving a residue like acetone-based removers.

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7. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Rose Hip Oil, Vitamin B5, Propylene Carbonate, and Propylene Glycol

CHENG LIU, 2020

Nail polish remover that is gentler on nails and healthier than conventional removers containing harsh chemicals like acetone, formaldehyde, and toluene. The remover contains rose hip oil, vitamin B5, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, and water. The composition is milder, doesn't dry out nails, and still effectively removes nail polish.

8. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Essential Oils and Hydroxyethyl Urea

CHENG LIU, 2020

Nail polish remover containing plant essential oils that is milder and healthier compared to traditional nail polish removers. The formula replaces harsh chemicals like acetone, formaldehyde, and toluene with essential oils. It uses essential oils from macadamia seeds, grapefruit peel, and orange peel. The remover also contains hydroxyethyl urea, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol, and water. This allows it to effectively remove nail polish without harming nails or human health.

9. Gel-Type Nail Gel Removal Composition with Specific Solvents and Emollients

KIM DONG SEOB, Kim Dong-seop, 2020

Gel-type nail gel removal composition and method using it to provide a gentler and more effective way to remove nail gel without damaging the nails. The composition contains specific solvents, emollients, gelling agents, and optional natural extracts to dissolve and remove the nail gel without harsh acetones. It is applied to the piled-on nail gel and left for 10-20 minutes before removing. The composition has a gel-like consistency to prevent dripping and protect the skin.

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10. Nail Polish Remover Comprising Alkyl-Substituted Five-Membered Oxygen Heterocycle

LEC KK, 2019

Enamel remover that effectively removes nail polish without damaging nails or skin, has low volatility, and doesn't have a strong odor. The enamel remover contains a five-membered heterocyclic compound with one oxygen atom in the ring, substituted with an alkyl group like methyl, ethyl, or propyl. This compound removes nail polish, but unlike conventional solvents, it's less volatile, less irritating, and doesn't dry out nails.

11. Nail Remover Composition with Dichloromethane, Ethylene Glycol Ether, and Hydroxycellulose

ZHAOQING POWERDREAM CHEMICAL CO LTD, 2019

A safe and efficient nail remover that is less harmful to the skin and environment compared to traditional nail polish removers containing acetone. The nail remover composition contains specific proportions of dichloromethane, ethylene glycol ether, ethanolamine, liquid paraffin, phenol, hydroxycellulose, olive oil, and benzyl alcohol/phenethyl alcohol. The ingredients provide better viscosity, nail protection, and faster nail polish dissolution compared to acetone-based removers.

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12. Aqueous Nail Polish Remover Comprising Natural Oils and Chitosan with Ultrasonically Emulsified Composition

ZHUOZHOU HAOYUAN FOIL IND CO LTD, 2019

An environmentally friendly, non-toxic, aqueous nail remover that does not harm nails or the environment. The nail remover is made with natural ingredients like avocado oil, sesame oil, chitosan, and lauric acid in specific ratios. It removes nail polish without harsh chemicals like acetone or formaldehyde. The nail remover nourishes nails rather than damaging them. The preparation method involves mixing the ingredients and ultrasonicating them to emulsify.

13. Solvent Compositions with Volatile and Non-Volatile Components for Aerosolizable Nail Polish Removers

ANISE COSMETICS, 2018

Solvent compositions and aerosolizable nail polish removers that avoid undesirable nail whitening. The compositions contain a mixture of volatile and non-volatile solvents to efficiently remove nail polish while minimizing nail discoloration. The solvents are selected to have lower evaporation rates compared to acetone. The compositions can also include humectants to promote hydration and moisturization of the skin and nails during polish removal. The aerosolizable compositions use alternative solvents like butyl acetate instead of acetone and propellants like carbon dioxide.

14. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Polyoxymethylene Dimethyl Ether and Plant-Derived Additives

XUZHOU GUOTAI BIOTECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2018

A safer and more effective nail polish remover formula. The dismantling water composition contains polyoxymethylene dimethyl ether, snake gall oil, surfactant, aroma agent, and water. The surfactant is polyethylene glycol 300 and the aroma agent is a plant essential oil. The water is prepared by gradually adding the ingredients in specific amounts and stirring at controlled temperatures. This avoids using toxic solvents like acetone and acrylic acid commonly found in nail polish removers.

15. Nail Polish Remover Composition with 4-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolan-2-One and 3-Methyl-1,3-Butanediol

MANN & SCHROEDER GMBH, 2018

Nail polish remover composition that removes nail polish without drying out the skin. The composition contains a solvent like 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolan-2-one instead of acetone, and an alkyl diol like 3-methyl-1,3-butanediol. This provides good nail polish removal while preserving skin moisture. The solvent and diol combination avoids the dehydrating effect of conventional acetone-based removers.

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16. Nail Polish Remover Comprising Glycol Ether and Carbonate System Solvent

KURARAY CO, 2018

Nail polish remover that effectively removes nail polish without drying out or damaging the surrounding skin. The remover contains glycol ether and a carbonate system solvent as the main ingredients. The glycol ether is preferably a monoalcohol like 3-methoxy 3-methyl butanol, and the carbonate system solvent is propylene carbonate. The remover has a total content of glycol ether and carbonate system solvent above 50%. This provides a balanced solvent composition that removes nail polish well without degreasing the skin.

17. Nail Coating Removal Compositions with Alcohol and Ester Solvent and Natural Oil Blend

JAMBERRY NAILS LLC, 2017

Nail coating removal compositions that effectively remove decorative, cosmetic, and medical nail coatings like polish, films, wraps, and adhesives without damaging the nail or surrounding skin. The compositions contain a solvent with an alcohol component (like isopropyl alcohol) and a short chain ester component (like methyl acetate), as well as a natural oil blend. The solvent wicks into the coating and disrupts adhesion, while the oil helps remove the coating without drying the nail. This allows faster, gentler removal compared to harsh acetone-based products.

18. Nail Polish Removal Composition with Glycerol Dimethyl Ketal and Non-Damaging Abrasive

LG HOUSEHOLD & HEALTH CARE LTD, 2017

Composition for removing nail polish that is harmless to the human body and has excellent nail polish removal performance. The composition contains a compound derived from glycerol called glycerol dimethyl ketal (GDK) and an abrasive. The GDK component removes the nail polish without volatility issues like acetone. The abrasive provides texture without damaging nails or skin. The composition can be water-based and avoids acetone, ethyl acetate, and butyl acetate commonly used in nail polish removers.

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19. Nail Polish Remover with High Flash Point Solvents and Moisturizing Additives

SHANGHAI MINGSHI NEW MAT CO LTD, 2017

Mild odorless nail polish remover that doesn't have a strong solvent smell and is less irritating compared to traditional nail polish removers. The remover contains a specific blend of solvents, moisturizers, and additives that provides effective nail polish removal without the pungent odor and skin irritation of conventional removers. The solvents used are high flash point liquids with mild odorlessness, like propylene glycol and y-butyrolactone, instead of acetone or ethyl acetate.

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20. Method of Nail Polish Removal Using Gel-Based Composition with Solvent and Gelling Agent

REEVE FIONA LEE, 2016

A method for removing nail polish that involves using a gel-based nail polish remover composition instead of traditional acetone-based removers. The composition contains a solvent like acetone, a gelling agent like hydroxypropyl cellulose, and optional emollients and co-solvent. It forms a gel when applied to the nails. The solvent dissolves the nail polish from the gel matrix, allowing enough time for diffusion before removing the gel. This prevents direct skin contact with acetone. The gel composition can be applied using an article with a substrate and covering layer.

21. Nail Coating Remover with Ethyl Cellulose Film-Forming Composition

22. Polymer-Based Nail Polish Removal Composition with Layered Peeling Mechanism

23. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Nitrogen-Alkylpyrrolidone and Additive in Aqueous Base

24. Enamel Remover Composition with Propylene Carbonate, Lower Alcohol, and High HLB Nonionic Surfactant

25. Nail Polish Remover Composition with Gamma-Butyrolactone Solvent and Additive Blend

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