Is Rubbing Alcohol the Same as Nail Polish Remover: Alcohol vs Polish Remover

Have you ever been in a pinch and need to remove nail polish, but you don’t have any nail polish remover around?  Maybe you’ve wondered if rubbing alcohol is the same as nail polish remover and will work as a substitute.  We’ll give you all the information you’re looking for to answer these questions and learn more about the similarities and differences between rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover is the article below!

Is rubbing alcohol the same as nail polish remover?

No, rubbing alcohol is not the same as nail polish remover.

While isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is typically used to make nail polish remover, there are other ingredients in nail polish remover that make the two liquids different.  Nail polish remover also contains acetone, which makes it a solvent and allows it to dissolve nail polish.

So, the answer to “is nail polish remover the same thing as rubbing alcohol,” is no.  The difference between rubbing alcohol and nail polish remover is that the acetone added to the nail polish remover makes it a better choice when comparing nail polish remover vs rubbing alcohol for taking off polish.

“Is rubbing alcohol and acetone the same” is a question a lot of people wonder.  The answer is that no, rubbing alcohol vs nail polish remover, or acetone, are different.

The acetone in nail polish remover will break down and dissolve nail polish to remove it.  Over time, and with some work, rubbing alcohol can accomplish the same goal, but it will be more complex and time-consuming.

However, while the answer to “is rubbing alcohol the same as nail polish remover” is no, there are also some similarities between the two liquids.

Alcohol can work as a solvent, like nail polish remover, but you’ll need to allow your fingernails to soak in it for it to be effective.  The answer to “is nail polish remover rubbing alcohol,” is also no, but both liquids do share the common characteristic of being very flammable.  So, whichever option you use, be sure to store it away from open flames or heat sources.

Nail Polish Remover as Alcohol

Is nail polish remover a substitute for rubbing alcohol?  No, nail polish remover should not be used as a substitute for rubbing alcohol.

Many people wonder, “can I use nail polish remover to clean electronics,” and the answer is that you should not.  The reason is that nail polish remover contains acetone, which is a solvent.  Using acetone on your electronics, such as gaming controllers, computers, keyboards, and other items, could damage the plastic.  Just as acetone works to dissolve nail polish, it could dissolve, or basically melt the plastic on electronics.  This could damage or even ruin items.

What about using nail polish remover as rubbing alcohol to clean a wound?  The answer to this question is also no.

Acetone is very drying even when used just on closed skin.  If you’re thinking “is acetone rubbing alcohol and can help clean my wound,” you’ll likely end up in pain if you pour some in an open wound.  The burning sensation will be quite painful, and the drying properties of the acetone could present the wound from healing properly.

Another question individuals have is “can nail polish remover be used as hand sanitizer?  Similar to the answer above about using nail polish remover to clean a wound,  the answer to “is hand sanitizer rubbing alcohol” is also no.

As we shared above, it is very drying, and can dry out your skin.  Acetone is also toxic to your liver and your skin’s cells, so it would not be advisable to use it on your hands regularly.

Rubbing Alcohol as Nail Polish Remover

Can you use rubbing alcohol to remove nail polish?  The answer to this question is actually yes!

However, don’t expect rubbing alcohol to work as quickly and effectively as nail polish remover.  Using rubbing alcohol to remove nail polish will take longer since the acetone in nail polish remover is a stronger solvent than rubbing alcohol.

If you’re in a bind and need to remove nail polish from your nails or other items, products with rubbing alcohol can be a decent substitute.

So, while the rubbing alcohol is not as effective as nail polish remover with acetone, the answer to “will rubbing alcohol remove nail polish,” is yes.  You can try straight rubbing alcohol or other products made with rubbing alcohol.  Some possible options include hand sanitizer, body mists, perfumes, or hairsprays.

When you’re using rubbing alcohol or products made with is to verify will rubbing alcohol remove nail polish, try spraying some of the product on your nails.  Let it sit on your nails for at least a minute.  Then, get ready to scrub it off using a tissue or cotton pad.  Be prepared to scrub more than you would using nail polish remover.  You also may need to repeat the steps a few times to completely remove the polish.

Does nail polish remover have alcohol in it?  Yes, most nail polish removers have alcohol in them.

But, the acetone is one of the key ingredients which works to dissolve the nail polish and remove it.  This is why the answer to “can alcohol remove nail polish” is yes, but not as well as nail polish remover.

The Results

Rubbing alcohol is not the same as nail polish remover, but in a pinch it can be used to take off nail polish.  The acetone in nail polish remover is what makes it most effective at taking off nail polish, but with some patience and rubbing, rubbing alcohol will eventually remove polish too.

Keeping up with your nails is never an easy task.  Hopefully, you’ve found some good tips in this article to help you learn more about how to remove nail polish without nail polish remover.

Another nail problem you could face is having green nails from fake nails.  If this has ever happened to you, you’ll want to check out this article:  Green Nails from Fake Nails.