There's a widely circulated belief online that when you run out of nail polish remover at home, lemon juice can be a perfect substitute. It’s often said, "Lemon juice is rich in citric acid, which has notable cleansing and degreasing properties that can soften nail polish, making it easier to remove a manicure." But does this claim hold up?

In reality, the situation may not be so straightforward. While lemon juice does contain a significant amount of citric acid, applying it directly to remove a manicure is likely to be far less effective than you might hope. Consider this: if manicure materials were so easily affected by citric acid, then frequent exposure to liquids rich in citric acid like lemon juice, kiwi juice, or orange juice would likely cause damage to your manicure in everyday situations.



The idea that lemon juice might help remove manicures may also stem partly from the presence of limonene in lemon peel. Limonene is a known effective organic solvent and is widely used in industrial production, such as in solvents for paint, resins, and inks. Its low toxicity and environmental friendliness make it an ideal alternative to traditional chemical solvents.

However, while limonene is indeed a solvent, the small amount of limonene present in lemons isn’t sufficient to be effective for nail polish removal.

Post-Removal Nail Care
Maintaining the health of your nails after removing a manicure is crucial. Here are some tips for keeping your nails strong and healthy:

Keep Nails Clean
After removing your manicure, wash your nails thoroughly with a mild cleanser and warm water to ensure that any remaining nail polish and chemicals are completely removed. This helps to avoid irritation and infection.

Moisturize and Nourish
Apply cuticle oil and nail cream to moisturize and protect your nails, which helps prevent them from becoming dry and brittle. These products can provide essential moisture and nutrients to your nails and the surrounding skin, enhancing their elasticity and resilience.

Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is essential for nail health. Make sure your diet includes sufficient protein, vitamins (such as vitamins A, C, and E), and minerals (such as zinc and iron), all of which are crucial for nail growth and maintenance.

Avoid Improper Use of Nails
Avoid using your nails for improper activities, such as forcefully digging or prying objects, as this can lead to nail damage or breakage. Keep your nails clean and avoid exposing them to harsh conditions.

In summary, maintaining nail health can be effectively achieved by keeping them clean, moisturizing, avoiding improper use, and ensuring a balanced diet. If you encounter nail problems such as discoloration, brittleness, breakage, or detachment, it's advisable to seek professional advice and treatment from a dermatologist or nail care expert.

Do Makeup Removers Affect Skin Health?
After discussing nail care, let's shift our focus to makeup. Makeup is an essential part of many people's daily routines, and the subsequent removal process is equally important. Common makeup removers include micellar water, cleansing oils, and cleansing balms, which work primarily on the principle of "like dissolves like"—using ingredients in the makeup remover to dissolve cosmetics and cleanse the skin.

Makeup removers typically contain oils, emulsifiers, moisturizers, and preservatives. While these ingredients are necessary for effective makeup removal, frequent use or residue left on the skin can potentially cause harm. The chemicals in makeup removers might lead to dryness, sensitivity, or allergic reactions. Additionally, oil-based makeup removers can sometimes clog pores, leading to acne and blackheads.

To protect your skin, it's recommended to choose gentle makeup removers and use them in moderation. After makeup removal, thoroughly cleanse your skin to minimize residue and reduce the potential impact on your skin. After cleansing, you should follow up with skincare, such as moisturizing and repairing products, to maintain healthy skin.

If you experience skin discomfort after using a makeup remover, such as redness, itching, or other allergic symptoms, it's advisable to stop using the product immediately and seek professional advice from a dermatologist. These steps help ensure skin health and minimize the negative effects of the makeup removal process.

As you enjoy the radiance that manicures and makeup bring, remember to remove them scientifically and responsibly, giving your nails and skin the rest and breathing space they need. This way, your beauty will last longer!