Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Acetone?How It’s UsedAcetone’s Effects on SkinHow to Prevent Skin ProblemsSummaryFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Acetone?
How It’s Used
Acetone’s Effects on Skin
How to Prevent Skin Problems
Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Acetone can be bad for the skin when it’s on for too long or when you’re exposed to large amounts. The fumes can also cause irritation to your nose, throat, lungs, and eyes. When used as directed in products such as nail polish remover, however, it is generally considered safe.
This article discusses what acetone is, how it is used, and its effects on the skin. It also covers what happens with overexposure and the signs of acetone poisoning.
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Acetone, also called propanone, is a chemical used to make many nail polish removers.It is also an ingredient in other household products, such as lacquer, varnishes, and paint removers.
Acetone can be found in trees, plants, volcanoes, forest fires, landfills, tobacco, and car exhaust.It exists in certain fruits and vegetables as well.
One of the most notable uses for acetone is nail polish remover. Acetone is a solvent and can break down nail polish for easier removal with a cotton swab or pad. It is commonly used because it mixes easily with water and evaporates quickly. Its ability to quickly dissolve substances including paint, glue, and other stains is a reason why it is often an ingredient in industrial and household cleaning products.
Other uses for acetone include:
Acetone can enter the body through the nose, mouth, or skin. It then gets into the bloodstream and is carried through the body to the organs.
In the event that the exposure is high, acetone poisoning can occur and lead to symptoms like:
These effects are typically felt when acetone is breathed in in high amounts over a short period of time. Irritation to the nose, throat, and eyes can occur from breathing in acetone at 100 ppm–900 ppm (parts per million), whereas the more serious side effects, such as headaches and confusion, typically are felt at levels reaching 12,000 ppm.
When acetone gets on the skin, it can cause it to become red, dry, and cracked, referred to as dermatitis.Although using acetone on the skin for long periods of time can lead to dermatitis, it is generally safe to use in moderate amounts.
Typically, the amount absorbed through nail polish remover and household products is very small and doesn’t pose any health problems when used sparingly.
When to See a DoctorAlthough acetone poisoning is rare, it can still cause serious health issues. If you believe you have been overexposed to acetone and are experiencing symptoms such as lethargy, slurred speech, headache, or a sweet taste in your mouth, seek medical care as soon as possible.
When to See a Doctor
Although acetone poisoning is rare, it can still cause serious health issues. If you believe you have been overexposed to acetone and are experiencing symptoms such as lethargy, slurred speech, headache, or a sweet taste in your mouth, seek medical care as soon as possible.
To avoid overexposure to acetone, you can limit how often you use products containing the chemical. When using cleaning products with acetone, wear rubber gloves to protect your hands.
If you are most likely to be exposed to acetone while painting your nails, limit how much polish and remover you use and avoid soaking your nails in a liquid containing acetone. To completely avoid the effects of acetone on the skin in this way, you could opt for a nail polish remover without acetone.
If large spills of products containing acetone occur, wash the exposed area with soap and water as soon as possible for at least 15 minutes and apply a moisturizer to prevent drying. You should also take off any clothing or shoes that have acetone on them.
Acetone is a chemical found in nail polish remover and other products like cleaning solutions and paint removers. It is generally safe and won’t harm your skin unless it’s used in large amounts or you are exposed to it for long periods of time.
If you are exposed to too much acetone, you may experience symptoms like eye, throat, and lung irritation, headaches, or confusion. If any of these symptoms occur after you’ve been using acetone, see a healthcare provider right away.
Frequently Asked QuestionsIt can cause skin issues, especially when used for long periods of time. Even in moderate amounts, acetone can be drying to your skin and nails and may cause skin irritation. Over time, it could cause damage to the nail plate and cuticles.This has to do with the irritating effects of acetone. Applying it to your nails inevitably means some will touch your fingers, which can cause this discomfort. Rubbing petroleum jelly on the skin around your nails each day for a week can help.If you’re using a small amount for nail polish remover, your skin can become dry, red, and cracked. However, you shouldn’t notice any health effects. If you’ve been exposed to large amounts of acetone, it can lead to acetone poisoning. Call 911 or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.High exposure to acetone can be toxic to almost all your body’s systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.In rare cases, acetone poisoning can be life-threatening.
It can cause skin issues, especially when used for long periods of time. Even in moderate amounts, acetone can be drying to your skin and nails and may cause skin irritation. Over time, it could cause damage to the nail plate and cuticles.
This has to do with the irritating effects of acetone. Applying it to your nails inevitably means some will touch your fingers, which can cause this discomfort. Rubbing petroleum jelly on the skin around your nails each day for a week can help.
If you’re using a small amount for nail polish remover, your skin can become dry, red, and cracked. However, you shouldn’t notice any health effects. If you’ve been exposed to large amounts of acetone, it can lead to acetone poisoning. Call 911 or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.
High exposure to acetone can be toxic to almost all your body’s systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems.In rare cases, acetone poisoning can be life-threatening.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.Public health statement for acetone.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ToxFAQs for acetone.Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.Acetone.Harvard Health Publishing.A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety.American Academy of Dermatology.Dermatologist’s secret for removing gel nail polish at home.Umeh C, Gupta RC, Gupta R, et al.Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death.Cureus. 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.18466
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.Public health statement for acetone.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ToxFAQs for acetone.Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.Acetone.Harvard Health Publishing.A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety.American Academy of Dermatology.Dermatologist’s secret for removing gel nail polish at home.Umeh C, Gupta RC, Gupta R, et al.Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death.Cureus. 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.18466
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.Public health statement for acetone.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ToxFAQs for acetone.Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.Acetone.Harvard Health Publishing.A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety.American Academy of Dermatology.Dermatologist’s secret for removing gel nail polish at home.Umeh C, Gupta RC, Gupta R, et al.Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death.Cureus. 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.18466
Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.Public health statement for acetone.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ToxFAQs for acetone.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.Acetone.
Harvard Health Publishing.A look at the effects of nail polish on nail health and safety.
American Academy of Dermatology.Dermatologist’s secret for removing gel nail polish at home.
Umeh C, Gupta RC, Gupta R, et al.Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death.Cureus. 2021. doi:10.7759/cureus.18466
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