7 Best Nail Polish Thinners: Fluidify And Revive Your Lacquers
Updated on Feb 09, 2024
As nail polish lovers and hoarders, we have all had those days when we whisper a little prayer before uncapping the little nail-color bottles, for we dread the sight of a clumpy, dried-out, and thickened remnant of our favorite one. Enter: the best nail polish thinner. Your one-stop, go-to solution can be these solvents that enliven your nail polish with just a few drops. It is always advisable to store your nail polishes in cool and dry places. Spots like bathroom shelves or where the sun hits directly must be avoided when storing nail paints. Make sure the lid is tightly done and the least amount of drying air reaches your color potion while you are applying it.
Even after being careful, there are rather common instances of encountering messy and dried-up nail polishes. This can be quickly fixed with nail polish thinner. Drawing from our experience, we have whipped up a list of top-rated nail polish thinners which are a must-have in your nail-care shelf. In the following sections, we also talk about all the things you need to know about these thinners and points to remember before buying one.
What Is a Nail Polish Thinner?
Nail polish thinners are a type of chemical solution that restores your damaged nail paint and regain its original consistency. This is achieved by diluting the flaky, thickened, or clumpy nail polish. Thinners contain solvents like acetone, butyl acetate, toluene, isopropyl alcohol, hexane, or heptane, among others. These components replace the evaporated ingredients from the nail polish and instantly fix the consistency. Not all kinds of solvents can be used for gel polishes, so we have to make sure we are using the specific thinner for the same.
Our top picks
7 Best Nail Polish Thinners
When it’s time to renew and replenish your dried-out nail polish, trust the Super Nail thinner to regain the original consistency of the polish. Whether required for professional or personal use, this nail thinner is a befitting choice for having a smooth application, without destroying the nail paint’s formula. All you need to do is add a couple of drops of the thinner into your polish and shake the bottle well. The ingredients like mineral spirits, acetone, and isopropyl alcohol work to dilute and rectify the polish’s consistency. You can add more thinner if required.
Pros
- Renews the old polish
- The quantity lasts long
- Affordable
Cons
- No dropper
- Acetone may reduce the shelf life
2
Best quick results
Orly Nail Lacquer Thinner
Save your favorite nail polish and lacquers and get your money’s worth by investing in Orly’s lacquer thinner which does its job pretty well. Its most loved feature is the built-in dropper with an unbreakable bottle. The dropper immensely eases the process of adding a few drops of thinner to your thickened, clumpy, or flaky nail lacquer. The thinner does not only retain the original consistency but also maintains its quality, offering a smooth application. The Orly nail polish thinner also works to extend the life of your lacquer.
Pros
- Works on top coats too
- Revives very old polishes
- Quick results
3
Best vegan friendly
BEAUTY SECRETS Nail Polish Thinner
No list of beauty-care products is ever complete without a vegan option to avail. Here, the nail polish thinner by BEAUTY SECRETS is 100% vegan and works efficiently in restoring and reviving your nail paint. The formula is free from sulfate, gluten, paraben, phthalates, alcohol, soy, and petroleum. This is a great way to get the flowy consistency of your old and gunky nail polishes. You only need a few drops of thinner into the bottle of nail polish and shake well and voila! A refreshed, smooth, and easy application is delivered.
Pros
- Works with air-drying nail paints
- Has acetate and ethyl acetate
- Makes the nail polish brushable
Cons
- Pricey
- Has no dropper
4
Best with dropper
SECHE RESTORE Restoration Thinner
You don’t have to throw away your good-old polishes yet. Even if they have turned into a gunky mess, there are commendable chances of restoration with the thinner from SECHE RESTORE. This perfectly packed nai-care product optimally replaces the necessary ingredients that have evaporated from your nail lacquer or top coat. 2-3 drops of the formula is enough to restore the original consistency of your polish, without affecting its shine or colors. Bonus: It comes with a dropper and a brush application to aid your process.
Pros
- Great price
- Easy to use
- The product lasts a long time
5
Best consistency
Glam and Glits Gel Polish Thinner
Not all kinds of nail polish thinners can be used for gel paints, but we have got you covered with gel polish thinner by Glam and Glits. This is an easy and quick fix to make your clumpy and sticky gel polish usable. You can enjoy the smooth application and finish that the gel polish offers by adding a very less quantity of this thinner. The best part is that the amalgamation of this thinner does not alter the quality or the color of your gel paint.
Pros
- Comes with a dropper
- Perfect consistency
- Lasts long
6
Best overall
MAVALA SWITZERLAND Thinner for Nail Polish
If you think your nail polish is damaged beyond repair, give this high-quality nail polish thinner by MAVALA a try. Only a few drizzles and drops are required to fluidify your thickened nail polish. For silky, smooth, and thin coats, all you got to do is revive your nail polish. Multiple thin coats don't flake off easily and last longer without chipping. The original shine, quality, and color do not get affected as you dilute your nail lacquer with this thinner.
Pros
- Excellent product
- Performs the job well
- Chip-resistant
7
Best for gels
LeChat Gelos Gel Thinner
This gel nail polish thinner by LeChat Gelos.has been under our radar for all the right reasons! Specifically curated for gel polish, this thinner restores the thickened consistency while maintaining the polish’s original curing time. However gunky or hard your gel polish has gone, it can be worked upon with this thinner, It can even help thin out some thick polishes for better application. The package is equipped with a dropper for your assistance. The product is compatible with all types of gels, like soak-off, non-soak-off, UV, and traditional curable gels.
Pros
- Great fluidity
- Clean application
- Compatible with all gel types
- Value for money
Tap on our buying guide to know everything to keep a note of before moving on to buy your nail polish thinner.
All You Need to Know Before Buying a Nail Polish Thinner
- Compatibility with Nail Polish: The foremost thing to consider while finalizing a nail polish thinner is to match its compatibility with the type of polish you wish to restore. Not all kinds of nail polishes can be rectified using a regular thinner. A different kind of thinner is to be used for gel-based nail polishes. You can buy multipurpose thinners or go for a couple of thinners with varied goals.
- Ingredients: The components of the thinner matter too. Acetone and alcohol-based solvents can make your nails brittle over time. Look for ingredients like orange oil or rose oil that minimizes the damage to the nails. These chemical solutions also have an odor that can be bothersome; if you have smell sensitivities, you can search for options that have bare to no smell.
- Dropper lid: A dropper is essential when diluting the nail polish using a thinner. If your product comes packed with a durable thinner it will help you a great deal.
Tips on How to Use Nail Polish Thinner
Here are a few tips and hacks on how to use and store your thinner with nail paints:
Step 1: With a dropper take about 2 to 3 drops of nail polish thinner, or use as mentioned on the instruction manual.
Step 2: Open your nail polish bottle and add the drops to it.
Step 3: Seal the bottle with the cap, shake it, or mix it by rolling it in your palms for a couple of minutes.
Step 4: Allow the polish to settle and rest for some time.
Step 5: Check the consistency and fluidity of the polish.
Step 6: If it is required, you can add more thinner and repeat the process, until you achieve the desired consistency.
Pro tip: Beware of the strong odor that accompanies the polish. Use it in a ventilated space and screw the cap back immediately after its use. Do this process over towels or newspapers — avoid any wooden surface or anything with a lacquer coat as the thinner may damage it.
Conclusion
A little DIY project with nail polish thinners is all you need to restore and rejuvenate your damaged polishes. These chemical solvents are meant to revive your old, gunky, thickened, or clumpy nail paints by making them fluid and easily applicable. When a few drops of thinner are added to the polish and set aside for a couple of hours, the magic unfolds inside the mini bottle. You end up with the freshest color and most original consistency of your favorite polish! There are a lot of great options available for thinning your lacquers and special ones for gel polishes for you to choose from. There are non-toxic and vegan options to consider too! Peruse our list and the buying guide to get yourself the best tool to add to your nail-care kit.
FAQ's
Do nail polish thinners work?
Yes, nail polish thinners efficiently work to dilute the nail lacquers and restore their original consistency.
Is nail polish thinner the same as gel polish thinner?
Gel nail polish thinners tend to be different from regular thinners since gel polishes can be cured through UV only. Such thinners require compatibility with UV-reactive polish.
What is the difference between acetone and nail polish thinner?
Acetone is mainly used to remove the nail paint from the nails, whereas nail thinner is like a solvent that replaces the ingredients that have evaporated from your polish and help revive it.
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Sayantani expands her beauty expertise to her nail care as well. Like most of us, she loves painting her nails pretty colors and has her own collection of nail lacquers. This brings with it the universal problem of nail polishes turning dry, clumpy, flaky, thick, and messy. To tackle this, she has her hack of using nail polish thinner. She has tried and tested various products and curated this handy list of the top choices based on her research, reviews, and experience as a user.
Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!
Author BIO
Sayantani is a certified hair and makeup professional turned writer with 2+ years of experience in the same genre. Ap More
