3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (2025)

Table of Contents
Easiest Way to Remove Super Glue from Nails Loosening the Glue Getting the Glue off Your Nails Expert Interview References Expert Q&A Tips Warnings You Might Also Like About This Article Reader Success Stories Did this article help you? References
  • Categories
  • Home and Garden
  • Housekeeping
  • Stain Removal
  • Adhesive Stains
  • Removing Glue

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Plus, how to loosen stubborn super glue for easier removal

Co-authored byMohiba Tareen, MDand Jennifer Mueller, JD

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

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  • Loosening the Glue
    • |
  • Getting the Glue off Your Nails
    • |
  • Expert Interview
    • |
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings

Super glue (Cyanoacrylate) is one of the strongest adhesives you can purchase. Unfortunately, because it's so sticky, it can be difficult to remove when you get it somewhere you don't want it. Whether you've used super glue to attach acrylic nails or accidentally got some on your nails while completing a project, nail polish remover with acetone is typically the best way to remove super glue from your nails. If there's a lot of super glue on your nails, you may need to loosen it up before you start trying to remove it.[1]

Easiest Way to Remove Super Glue from Nails

Soak a cotton ball or cotton pad in acetone nail polish remover and press it to your nail. Give the acetone a few seconds to soak into your nail, then rub the cotton across your nail to loosen and lift the glue. Dip a cotton swab in nail polish remover and use it to clean glue from under your nails or around the edges.

Part 1

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Loosening the Glue

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  1. 1

    Soak your fingers in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Fill a large bowl with warm, soapy water and set a timer for 10 minutes. Let your fingers sit in the bowl to soften the glue so it will be easier to remove.[2]

    • Make sure all of the glue stays completely submerged in the water. If you don't have a particularly thick layer of glue on your fingers and it hasn't been on for long, you may be able to completely remove it after soaking without doing anything else.

    Variations: Vinegar, rubbing alcohol, lemon juice, or mineral oil also help loosen super glue so you can remove it more easily.

  2. 3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (5)

    2

    Rub your nails gently to help loosen the glue. While soaking your fingers, gently rub your nails with the tips of your fingers. Use a circular motion to help the glue release its bond with your fingernail.

    • You shouldn't have to rub too hard. Scratching or picking at your nails could damage or weaken them.

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  3. 3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (6)

    3

    Make a poultice with coconut oil and baking soda if water doesn't work. If the glue still seems hard after soaking your nails in water, this poultice might do the trick. Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda and stir until they have a paste-like consistency. Rub the mixture onto your fingers and let it sit for at least 10 minutes.[3]

    • Wipe off the poultice after 10 minutes. You may be able to simply wipe off the glue at this point.
    • You may want to heat the coconut oil in the microwave for a minute so that it's more liquid. That way it will mix more smoothly with the baking soda.

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Getting the Glue off Your Nails

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  1. 3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (8)

    1

    Swab the glue with nail polish remover. Acetone is the most effective for removing super glue from nails. Most nail polish removers contain acetone along with other ingredients. Use a cotton ball to soak the nail and rub the glue away.

    • You can also use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to get any glue under the nail or around the edges.

    Tip: If you have sensitive skin, spread a thin layer of petroleum jelly on the skin around your nails before using the acetone. It will keep the acetone off of your skin.

  2. 3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (9)

    2

    Make a salt and water paste to scrub off the glue if acetone doesn't work. Mix salt and water until they form a thick paste. Typically, it's easier to start with a small dish of salt and gradually add drops of water to the salt until you get the right consistency.[4]

    • Rub the paste on your nails using a circular motion. The salt will act as an abrasive to help remove the glue. It may take a minute or two of rubbing to get all the glue off, especially if you have a relatively thick layer.

  3. 3

    Use an emery board to sand off stubborn bits of glue that are left. After you've gotten off most of the glue with acetone or a scrub, simply take your emery board or nail file and file off any remaining glue that you weren't able to get off. At the same time, you can smooth the surface of your nails to improve their appearance or prepare them for a fresh coat of nail polish.[5]

    • Make sure your hands and nails are completely dry before using an emery board or nail file. Otherwise, you could damage your nails.

  4. 4

    Wash your hands thoroughly after removing the glue. Acetone is flammable and also dehydrates your skin. For safety, wash your hands and fingernails in warm, soapy water to get any remnants of the solvent off your fingers.[6]

    • If your skin feels dry after using the acetone, you might also want to apply a moisturizing lotion.

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you'd like to learn more about removing glue, check out our in-depth interview with Mohiba Tareen, MD.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question

    What is the fastest way to get super glue off your fingers?

    Mohiba Tareen, MD
    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

    Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology.

    Mohiba Tareen, MD

    FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

    Expert Answer

    For thicker or more resistant glue stuck on the skin, consider trying a solvent based adhesive. Gently rub petroleum jelly, or vegetable or mineral oil onto the affected skin. Note that you may need to reapply in order to get the adhesive off. A last resort option is to apply acetone to the skin gently.

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      Tips

      • Acetone can damage your nails. You might want to apply a nail hardener after cleaning the glue off to help strengthen them.[7]

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      • As long as the super glue isn't harming you or keeping you from doing something else to your nails, such as painting them, you can simply leave it on. It will usually peel off on its own after 1 or 2 days.

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      Warnings

      • Avoid trying to scrape or peel the dried glue off your nails with anything other than sanitary tools meant for nail care. You could weaken or damage your nails.[8]

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      About This Article

      3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (28)

      Co-authored by:

      Mohiba Tareen, MD

      FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

      This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology. This article has been viewed 75,548 times.

      8 votes - 87%

      Co-authors: 5

      Updated: December 20, 2024

      Views:75,548

      Categories: Removing Glue

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      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 75,548 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • 3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (29)

        Jamaya Oliver

        Jan 23, 2022

        "My aunt said to put superglue in my nails for my acrylics because I was too lazy to actually go to the nail salon...." more

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      3 Best Ways to Remove Super Glue from Nails (2025)

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