10 Best Tried and True Japanese Nail Polish Removers in 2022 (Shiseido, Kanebo, and More)
To figure out the best Japanese nail polish removers, we gathered the 25 best-selling products on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and ＠cosme SHOPPING, and tested them all.
We tested each product for the following:
- Effectiveness at removing nail polish
- Ease of use
Then, based on our tests, we ranked the 10 best Japanese nail polish removers available online in 2022. We also put together a buying guide to help you choose the best nail polish removers. Lastly, we compiled some tips and tricks, such as the best method for disposal, and more!
Quick List - Top Japanese Nail Polish Remover
Shiseido
Excellent Polish Remover That Balances Performance, Cost and Aroma
She's the owner and head stylist at the natural nail salon "nailroom felicita". She specializes in restoring and caring for nails that are damaged or a complex shape. She is also a lecturer on topics such as how to maintain healthy nails at home, how to use your nails, and the relation between nails and the body.
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Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- How We Tested the Nail Polish Removers
- Tips on Removing Nail Polish Effectively
- For Safety, Ventilate and Keep the Remover Away from Children
- Alternatives and Other Uses of Nail Polish Remover
- What if I Don't Want to Use Nail Polish Remover?
- What Else Can It Be Used For?
- Nourish Your Nails Even More With These Products
Why You Can Trust Us
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
How to Choose a Japanese Nail Polish Remover - Buying Guide
Here are three essential points to keep in mind when choosing a Japanese nail polish remover.
Check for Acetone Levels and Moisturizing Ingredients
Nail polish removers come in two main types: acetone and acetone-free. Each has its pros and cons, which we will discuss below.
Acetone Can Remove Even the Toughest Polishes
If you are somebody that heavily layers on nail polish or uses ones with tough-to-remove glitter, nail polish removers with acetone will be the most effective. They can remove layers and glitter cleanly from your nails; plus, you only need a small amount!
The downside to acetone is that it's not great for your skin and nails, especially in large quantities. It removes the necessary moisture and oil from nails that keep them healthy. So if you use a polish remover with acetone, have some dependable post-removal care on hand (like cuticle oils). As a general principle, the stronger the acetone-containing nail polish remover is, the more likely it is to damage your nails.
Acetone-Free Removers Are Gentler on Your Nails
Acetone-free nail polish removers usually don't have the offensive chemical smell typical of acetone-based removers, and they're a lot less likely to inflict damage on your nails. The downside to acetone-free removers is that you need to use more of the product and it takes longer to get the job done. They're also not good at removing many layers of polish or glitter.
They're safer and gentler for your skin and nails, so if you don't wear a lot of polish or have sensitive skin, consider an acetone-free product. Some products labeled acetone-free may contain chemicals such as ethyl acetate instead of acetone, however. If you are concerned about potentially damaging chemicals, we recommend looking for products made with all-natural or organic ingredients.
Moisturizers Are Always an Added Bonus
Moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe vera extract, and camellia oil can help restore moisture to your nails that was lost in the polish removal process. Dry nails can lead to cracks and splitting, so choose one that's as gentle as possible while still being effective. We have some tips later in the article on how to use polish removers correctly, so be sure to check them out.
Choose a product based on whether you want to remove polish quickly with acetone or you want to be gentle on your nails with an acetone-free product.
Choose a Container That Suits Your Lifestyle
Next, we'll cover the pros and cons of the two forms of nail polish removers: bottle types and sheet types.
Bottle Types Comes in Larger Amount and Can Be More Cost-Effective
We recommend bottle types for people who regularly wear polish. You'll generally get a higher volume for lower cost, and there are many options, such as acetone or acetone-free, to choose from.
Pad Types Are Super Convenient and Portable
If you value convenience and portability in your nail care products, we'd recommend pre-soaked pad types. You don't need your own cotton balls, and you don't have to worry about having product leftover and unused. They're also great to keep in your bag for cases when you need to quickly remove polish, like if your work doesn't allow it and you forgot to take it off.
Look for Products With a Mild Aroma
We recommend nail polish removers with mild fragrances if you're sensitive to the typically strong scent of removers. They'll usually have this advertised on the label. Also, non-acetone types overall tend to have a gentler scent. Citrus and floral aromas are an option that can help make you feel more relaxed as well.
10 Best Japanese Nail Polish Removers
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Shiseido Integrate Treatment Nail Remover | | Excellent Polish Remover That Balances Performance, Cost and Aroma | |
2 | Chifure Cosmetics Enamel Remover | | Highly Effective Nail Polish Remover That's Gentle on the Nails | |
3 | Shiseido Treatment Enamel Remover | | Very Effective, With a Mild Fragrance and Texture | |
4 | Orbis Nail Remover | | Oil-Type Remover That's Highly Effective | |
5 | D-UP Nail Polish Remover EX | | Removes Tough Glitter and Layers of Nail Polish With Ease | |
6 | Koji Honpo Nailist Gel Nail Off Remover | | Strong Enough to Remove Even Gel Nails | |
7 | Koji Honpo Enamel Remover Apricot | | Comes in a Large Size and Removes Nail Polish Effectively | |
8 | Cezanne Mild Enamel Remover | | Easy-to-Use Remover Great for Light Nail Polish | |
9 | Kanebo KATE Tokyo Nail Color Remover | | Mouth of the Dispenser Is a Bit Wide, but Otherwise a Perfect Remover | |
10 | StylingLife Holdings Nail+Nail Oil Cleansing Remover | | Oil-Type Remover With Refreshing Orange Scent |
Excellent Polish Remover That Balances Performance, Cost and Aroma
Although Integrate Treatment Nail Remover from Shiseido does contain acetone, its fruity floral scent cuts through the chemical smell. Its removal ability is impeccable, easily taking off nail polish after lightly swiping the surface of the nails.
After conducting our tests with this nail polish remover, nails and nail beds didn't look whitened out, and instead had a moisturized, healthy look, so we'd especially recommend this to those who are worried about their nails drying out. It also works on tough polishes with hard-to-remove glitter!
Highly Effective Nail Polish Remover That's Gentle on the Nails
Tied for our top spot, the Enamel Remover from Chifure Cosmetics doesn't have a strong acetone smell, making it very pleasant to use.
This polish remover was strong enough to remove tough glitter after two applications, yet gentle enough to not dry out our nails in the process. That's because it also contains moisturizing ingredients that soften and moisturize the skin. We recommend this to those who want to remove nail polish cleanly while also caring for their nails.
Very Effective, With a Mild Fragrance and Texture
The Treatment Enamel Remover from Shiseido comes in two sizes: 2.1 or 4 ounces, so this product has options which would be great both at home and on the go. The dispenser has a small mouth which makes adjusting the amount applied easy.
There is also no irritating chemical smell and it has a mild aroma. After application, nails didn’t feel dried out; on the contrary, they seemed moisturized. This nail remover has a great balance of enamel removal and moisturizing power!
Oil-Type Remover That's Highly Effective
Orbis Nail Remover is an oil-type nail polish remover which is a type we don’t see too often. It effectively removed nail polish without turning nails white after use. This remover didn't leave our nails dry either, so we recommend it for people who want a moisturized feel.
Removes Tough Glitter and Layers of Nail Polish With Ease
D-UP’s Nail Polish Remover EX had amazing polish-removal capabilities, taking off even tough glitter and layers of nail polish with no problems at all! This remover could remove polish with just a single wipe, so we'd especially recommend it for quick and efficient nail care.
Strong Enough to Remove Even Gel Nails
Nailist Gel Nail Off Remover from Koji Honpo was strong enough to remove gel nails! Since it allows you to remove nail polish so quickly with ease, this product is also great for making quick corrections when you're painting your nails.
However, you may experience some dryness if it comes into contact with your skin, though, so you'll have to be careful when applying it.
Comes in a Large Size and Removes Nail Polish Effectively
Even though the Enamel Remover Apricot from Koji Honpo has a sweet apricot scent, we still smelled the odor of acetone a bit. But we loved how easily this removed nail polish, especially considering the high capacity which it came in. If you find yourself always running out of nail polish remover, we recommend this product as an option.
Easy-to-Use Remover Great for Light Nail Polish
While you may have to work harder to get glitter or multiple layers of polish off your nails, Cezanne Mild Enamel Remover can take off thin layers of polish no problem. Considering the amount of product included in the bottle, this is a bang for your buck! It may leave your nails a bit white after application, but bearing in mind the low cost, we think it's acceptable.
Mouth of the Dispenser Is a Bit Wide, but Otherwise a Perfect Remover
We loved how easily KATE Nail Color Remover from Kanebo removed nail polish, especially darker tones of polish. However, the mouth of the dispenser is a bit too wide, so it is hard to control how much of the product came out. Be careful when dispensing.
StylingLife HoldingsNail+Nail Oil Cleansing Remover
Oil-Type Remover With Refreshing Orange Scent
Nail+Nail Oil Cleansing Remover has a pleasant, light, orange fragrance with no pungent chemical smell! To remove polish effectively, we recommend you massage the product onto your nails in a circular motion.
How We Tested the Nail Polish Removers
We gathered the 25 best-selling Japanese nail polish removers from e-commerce sites popular in Japan such as Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping and ＠cosme SHOPPING and tested them all.
We tested each product for the following:
- Effectiveness at removing nail polish
- Ease of use
Test ① Removal Ability
First, we tested the most important factor: its polish removal ability.
We painted some nail chips with two layers of nail polish. After the polish dried, we looked at how much color came off with one application of each polish remover.
Test Highlight: Products With Natural Oils Aren't as Effective
Our test results showed that nail polish removers that contain acetone removed nail polish much more easily than those with natural oils. Acetone-based products removed almost all, or at least more than 80 percent, of nail polish with just a single wipe.
The ones that did not contain either acetone or ethyl acetate tended to perform worse. Those that used natural oils instead of these solvents were found to be less likely to remove the polish.
Test ② Ease of Use
Next, we looked at how easy it was to use each product.
We looked at how easy the container was to handle, how portable it is, and how easy it was to adjust the amount of product applied.
Test Highlight: Pad-Type Removers Are Great for Both Daily Use and On the Go
We evaluated pad-type removers highly because they don't require any cotton balls and are highly portable. They were perfect for carrying around with you for daily use while on the go.
When it comes to bottle-type products, we found that the thinner ones, about two inches in circumference, were easier to carry around and store. Also, we rated higher the bottles with a smaller mouth, since they reduce the risk of spillage and accidentally pouring out too much.
Tips on Removing Nail Polish Effectively
Here, we will cover some tips on how best to use nail polish removers to effectively clean off your nails.
Let Product Sit for 5 Seconds Before Wiping It Off
To get polish off your nails quickly and easily, we recommend soaking a cotton pad in remover and then letting it sit on your nail for five seconds. This helps the remover blend with the nail polish better, to allow you to effectively wipe it off with only a single application.
For thick or tough manicures, you can wrap your nails in aluminum foil after placing the cotton pads on your nails and then let it soak in for a couple of minutes. Since acetone can be pretty damaging after a while, we recommend using non-acetone removers when trying this method.
It's a good idea to make sure to use the clean side of the cotton ball or pad every time you apply nail polish removers, rather than using the same side multiple times, which is basically like rubbing nail polish directly onto your skin. Since this isn't hygienic, I suggest using a fresh cotton ball for every nail.
For Moisturizing, Apply Cuticle Oil Both Before and After Using Polish Remover
If you haven't invested in a good cuticle oil already, consider doing so. We recommend applying a bit before and after the polish removal process. Using cuticle oil afterward is especially important, since nail polish removers will strip moisture and skin oils while removing polish.
You should apply cuticle oil to the entirety of the nail, your nail beds, under the nails, and the sides, to provide the nourishment that your nails need. We also think it's a good idea to finish your nail care routine with a good hand cream to seal in moisture.
Since some amount of acetone can be left on your skin even after you're done removing nail polish, you should wash your hands before applying cuticle oil. It also makes the nail area cleaner and more receptive to absorbing the oil.
For Safety, Ventilate and Keep the Remover Away from Children
When using nail polish remover, the most important thing to do is to ventilate the room. Removers with acetone are toxic and could cause poisoning or irritation to your lungs, so be careful not to breathe it in directly.
You should also store the product out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion. Also, acetone can have adverse effects on both you and your baby when pregnant, so we advise avoiding it in such cases.
Alternatives and Other Uses of Nail Polish Remover
Here are some alternatives to traditional nail polish remover as well as other things you can use your remover for.
Disposal Methods for Nail Polish Removers
There are two ways to dispose of nail polish remover solutions: throwing it in the trash or letting it evaporate. Nail polish remover is toxic, so do not dispose of it by pouring it into your sink.
To dispose of it as trash, prepare a plastic bag lined with paper and allow the product to soak into the paper thoroughly. Then, tie the mouth of the plastic tightly and dispose of it, making sure to do so in accordance with your municipality's regulations. To evaporate it, open the container and leave it outside, and after a day, the contents of the bottle will evaporate and it should be empty. The container can then be disposed of appropriately.
Some municipalities have rules on how to dispose of these containers, so please check with your local authorities before discarding them. If you are not sure, contact your local authorities.
What if I Don't Want to Use Nail Polish Remover?
If you want to avoid using nail polish remover, there are alternatives, albeit less effective ones. Ethanol and alcohol used for disinfectant, as well as cologne that has a high alcohol content, can be used to remove polish. However, they're not very strong or time-efficient.
Some say paint thinner can also be used, but since it's very possible to experience poisoning symptoms with use, we can't recommend them for removing nail polish.
What Else Can It Be Used For?
It turns out that nail polish remover can be used for a lot of other things. Some you may have heard of are using remover to take off stickers, erase ink stains, clean shoes, and scrub away water scale marks. Just make sure you're not using it on materials like plastic, rubber, or leather, since it can change their color or damage them.
You can also use nail polish remover to revive oil-based ink that has dried out. If you put a couple of drops into the lid of an ink marker, close it, and wait a bit, then you'll be able to use the ink like new. It only works once, but it's a good trick to know in an emergency.
Nourish Your Nails Even More With These Products
Keep your nails looking nice all the time using products from some of our other rankings!
Top 5 Japanese Nail Polish Remover
No. 1: Shiseido｜Integrate Treatment Nail Remover
No. 2: Chifure Cosmetics｜Enamel Remover
No. 3: Shiseido｜Treatment Enamel Remover
No. 4: Orbis｜Nail Remover
No. 5: D-UP｜Nail Polish Remover EX
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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