How to Prevent Nail Polish Stains

Co-authored by Kristin Pulaski and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: January 22, 2022 References

Nail polish is a fun and beautiful way to express yourself, but it may not feel that way when you notice leftover yellow stains or leftover polish on your nails. These stains are usually caused by the polish soaking into your nails and they're really common. ^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source
Go Ask Alice
Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University
Go to source} While staining goes away over time, it’s way more convenient if you don’t have to worry about it in the first place. Try a few tricks and see if you notice a difference!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Precautions in Your Routine

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/76\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-1.jpg\/aid12124203-v4-728px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Apply a clear base coat first to protect your nails. Don’t dive into your colored polish right away—instead, brush a thin layer of base coat onto your nail. This provides a barrier between your regular polish and your nail. If you take a little extra time to apply a clear base coat to each nail, you're much less likely to stain your nails. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Apply a thin coat of base coat and let it dry for about 1-2 minutes. Otherwise, your nail polish might take longer to dry. ^{[3]
 X
 Expert Source
 
 Kristin Pulaski
 Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
 
 Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
- You can apply 2 coats of base coat for extra protection. ^{[4]
 X
 Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-2.jpg\/aid12124203-v4-728px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Check the ingredients to avoid certain dyes. Read over the ingredients list on the side of your nail polish bottle before you start painting. Certain dyes and chemicals are notorious for staining so if you can avoid those, your nails are far less likely to stain. ^{[5]
X
Trustworthy Source
Go Ask Alice
Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University
Go to source}
- Ingredients like 5 Lake, along with D&C Red No. 6, 7, and 34 are common offenders when it comes to nail staining.
Advertisement
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fb\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-3.jpg\/aid12124203-v4-728px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Limit how often you use nail hardeners. Nail hardeners definitely have their benefits, but they have some chemicals that make your nails look stained. If your fingernails are naturally weak, try strengthening them naturally or switching periodically to a base coat that doesn’t have any hardener in it. ^{[6]
X
Trustworthy Source
Go Ask Alice
Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University
Go to source}
- Hardening products tend to have formalin, glyoxal, and dimethyl urea.
4
Opt for lighter nail polishes instead of dark shades. Keep in mind that darker polishes, like brown, purple, and dark red, are more likely to cause staining. ^{[7]
X
Research source} The polish is also a lot more obvious and messy if it gets on your fingertips while you’re removing it. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Instead, paint your nails with a lighter shade, like white or pastel pink. ^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- When you're painting your nails, keep a nail art brush near by, along with some acetone or alcohol. If any of the polish gets onto the skin around your nail, quickly use the brush to clean up the color. ^{[10]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Kristin Pulaski
  Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
Advertisement

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing Polish Effectively

1
Spread cuticle oil on your fingers to avoid polish stains. Dip your fingers in cuticle oil so the nail polish won’t leak and stain your skin as you remove it. Taking a few minutes to apply cuticle oil may save you some extra trouble in the long run! ^{[11]
X
Research source}
- Cuticle oil is a great moisturizer, as well.
2
Place a soaked cotton ball on your nail for 30 seconds. Dip a cotton ball in some nail polish remover so it’s completely soaked through. Position the cotton ball directly on top of your nail to weaken the polish. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Any kind of nail polish remover can work for this.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-7.jpg\/aid12124203-v4-728px-Prevent-Nail-Polish-Stains-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Slide the cotton ball down the nail to remove the polish. Grip the cotton ball and slide it down towards your fingertip. Remove it completely from your nail—at this point, your nail polish will hopefully be gone. If there’s any leftover, repeat the process with a new cotton ball. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
- Try running a buffer over your nail beds if the pesky stains remain. ^{[14]
 X
 Research source}
Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I keep nail polish from getting onto my skin?

Kristin Pulaski
Salon Owner & Nail Specialist
Kristin Pulaski is a Professional Nail Artist and the Founder of Paintbucket, a self-owned and operated nail salon based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. She has over five years of experience running Paintbucket and is licensed as a nail technician. Paintbucket offers nail art manicures, pedicures, and soft gel extensions along with customized packages for wedding and bridal parties. She holds a BA in Managerial Science from Manhattan College.

Kristin Pulaski

Salon Owner & Nail Specialist

Expert Answer

It takes a lot of practice to keep nail polish off of your skin. Try placing the brush just a little below your cuticle, then press it up toward the cuticle before gliding back down your nail. However, if any polish does get onto your skin, quickly clean it up with a nail art brush dipped in a little acetone or alcohol.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

There’s nothing wrong with giving your nails a break once in a while! Lightly buff the surface of your nails instead of applying polish, which can stop your nails from soaking up too much pigment and looking stained in the future. ^{[15]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Look for polishes with ingredients that are good for your nails, like collagen. ^{[16]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Nail stains go away on their own after about 2 weeks.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Warnings

Avoid any nail polishes that have toluene, dibutyl phthalate, or formaldehyde as an ingredient. These are really toxic. ^{[17]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Fake nails and other nail treatments can cause staining over time. Wait at least 1 month before getting another nail treatment after getting fake nails removed. ^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
Go Ask Alice
Medical advice site with content written by health promotion specialists affiliated with Columbia University
Go to source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1

Things You’ll Need

Taking Precautions in Your Routine

Clear base coat
Light nail polish

Removing Polish Effectively

Cuticle oil
Cotton balls
Nail polish remover

[1]

Trustworthy Source

Go to source

[2]

[3]

Kristin Pulaski
Salon Owner & Nail Specialist

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

How to Prevent Nail Polish Stains

Steps

Taking Precautions in Your Routine

Removing Polish Effectively

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Warnings

Things You’ll Need

Taking Precautions in Your Routine

Removing Polish Effectively

You Might Also Like

References

About this article

Did this article help you?

You Might Also Like

Explore Categories