Press-on nails are very handy and quick to use but a hassle to remove. To get the nail glue off your nails, use one of the solutions below:

• Nail Polish Remover
• Petroleum Jelly
• Soap and Water
• Acetone
• Hand Lotion

You must be careful when removing the press-on nails to avoid damaging your natural nails.

If the glue gets on your skin, you may get first-degree or second-degree burns, the skin may start swelling, and the glue will adhere to your skin.

Read below to see how to easily get the nail glue off fake nails!

How to Get Nail Glue Off Your Fingers?

It’s very important that you remove your fake nails patiently and without ripping them off. The last thing you want is to damage your natural nails or skin. Let’s start with the first solution:

1. Use a Nail Polish Remover

An acetone-based nail polish remover is the best way to remove nail glue from your skin. Get a toothbrush, cotton swabs, a nail file, dry cloth, and the nail polish remover and do this:

• Clip your nails to a shorter length to make this process shorter and easier;
• File the fake nails to make the surface rough. Do this until all the nails are matte. This makes the glue come off easier;
• Wipe away the nail residue on your nails;
• Soak the cotton swab in nail polish remover;
• Press the swab over the nail and keep it there for several minutes. If needed, reapply a second swab;
• Wait until the glue starts to soften and comes off easily;
• Use the toothbrush to rub away the glue.

This should remove most of the glue on your fingers and make the fake nails easy to remove.

A great alternative is to wrap your nails in an acetone-soaked cotton swab and then cover them with aluminum foil.

This way, the acetone will soak into your nails more efficiently. Let your nails soak for about 20 minutes, and then remove the aluminum foil and the swabs.

By now, the glue will come off immediately, and the fake nails will be softened greatly.

2. Petroleum Jelly

If you’re not a fan of nail polish remover and acetone-based products, petroleum jelly is a great solution to remove nail glue from your hands.

You’ll need petroleum jelly, water, and soap. Follow the steps below:

• Apply petroleum jelly to the affected area. Try to apply generously on the dried glue;
• Rub the jelly in circular motions over the dried glue;
• Massage the area slowly;
• Keep doing this until the glue starts to come off;
• Once the nail glue is soft and can be broken up, wash your hands in water and soap.

This should get rid of all the glue on your skin. Petroleum jelly has the added benefit of preserving the moisture on your skin against compounds with skin-drying effects.

Acetone, for instance, removes moisture from the skin, and you’ll need to use a moisturizing skin cream after using acetone.

But petroleum jelly protects your hands from the effects of acetone.

3. Water and Soap

If you don’t have acetone, nail polish remover, or petroleum jelly, don’t fret. Water and soap can also remove the nail glue off your hands.

You’ll need water, soap, a bowl, something to pry the nails off, and a nail buffer. 

Follow the steps below to remove the nail glue:

• Warm a bowl of water until it’s lukewarm;
• Put some soap in the water;
• Soak your hands in the water for about 15-20 minutes. Depending on the strength of the glue, you may need to soak them for longer;
• Try to pry off the fake nails using a pencil or thin edge. If it doesn’t work, soak the nails some more. Do it until the fake nails come off;
• Once you remove the fake nails, let your natural nails dry off;
• Use a nail buffer to remove excess glue;
• Wash your nails to remove any residual glue.

After you do this, your hands may be somewhat dehydrated, so you might as well use a moisturizing cream to freshen up your skin.

This method also works to get nail glue off your skin.

4. Acetone

Acetone is similar to the acetone-based nail polish remover. So, you should follow the same steps as above.

Clip your fake nails to a minimum, file them, wrap them in acetone-soaked cotton swabs, wrap your fingers in aluminum foil and wait for 20-30 minutes.

This will keep the acetone on your fingertips and the fake nails.

After 20-30 minutes, remove the aluminum foil and the cotton swabs, and carefully pry off your fake nails.

By now, they should have softened up enough for you to remove them.

The glue will also come off easily, but you should use a dry fiber cloth. Alternatively, wash your hands in soapy water.

This will remove all the glue residue on your nails and fingers.

After this, make sure you use a moisturizing cream to restore your skin’s moisture levels. 

5. Hand Lotion

Hand Lotions contain several compounds that can easily remove nail glue from your fake nails.

You’ll need a hand lotion, water, soap, and a bowl.

Follow the steps below to do it:

• Warm the water in a bowl and put some hand soap in it;
• Apply hand lotion to your nails and glued skin;
• Massage it in a circular motion;
• Do this until the glue starts to pry off;
• Once you remove the glue, wash your hands in the soapy water;
• After eliminating the fake nails and the glue, apply more hand cream to keep the moisture inside your skin.

That’s it, now your fake nails are gone, and there’s no more nail glue on your skin!

Conclusion

Nail glue is a hassle to remove, but it’s not impossible. You’ll be fine if you use an acetone-based polish remover, some petroleum jelly, or water and soap.

Soak your hands in soapy water, put some polish remover and hold them like that for 20-30 minutes, and then scrape the glue off your nails.

The fake nails should also come off easily if you do this.

Remember that acetone tends to remove the moisture in your skin. Use a moisturizing cream to replenish the moisture!