How to Get Glue off Your Hands

Co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD and Mason Martinez, BA

Last Updated: December 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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Over the course of a project that involves an adhesive or throughout the process of applying fake nails, your fingers and hands may become coated in glue. Don’t panic; avoid any attempts to peel or rip the adhesive from your skin. Treat the affected area with a variety of products. Attempt to remove the glue with acetone, petroleum jelly, or hand lotion. Try to remove the glue gently with hot water and exfoliating soap, vegetable oil, or butter.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing Glue and Glue Residue with Natural Products

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1
Soak and wash the affected area. Fill a basin with hot water to remove the glue from your hand or fingers gently. Submerge your hand into the water and let it soak for several minutes. Scrub the area with a teaspoon of sugar or salt. Scrub until the glue rolls up and detaches from the skin.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- If you can’t access a bowl, plug the drain in the sink or hop in a warm bath with plenty of suds.
- If your skin is stuck together, do not pull it apart. You could accidentally rip off layers of skin along with the glue.
2
Apply vegetable oil to the affected area. Retrieve a small dish and pour a ½ tablespoon vegetable oil into it. Dip a clean cloth into the vegetable oil. Rub the saturated cloth over the affected area until the glue softens and rolls away from the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water to remove the oil from your skin.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- You can also use olive, coconut, or avocado oil instead of vegetable oil.
- Vegetable oil, a common household item, may remove stubborn glue stuck to your hands or fingers.
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3
Rub butter onto the affected area. Some recommend butter in place of oil. Place a small amount of butter on the blade of a knife or scoop a small amount with a spoon. Swipe your finger against the silverware to transfer it onto your skin. Massage the butter onto the affected area with your fingertips until the residue detaches from your skin.
- Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.^{[3]
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- Greasy products, like lotion or oil, can lift dried adhesive from your skin.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Glue with Health and Beauty Products

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1
Remove glue with an exfoliating body soap or deep cleaning hand soap. Exfoliating soaps remove layers of dead skin, making them an ideal product for removing glue. Apply a dime-sized amount of soap and scrub the affected area aggressively. Repeat this process two or three times.^{[5]
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- You can also wear an exfoliating glove to create more friction against the skin.
2
Acetone-based products help remove the toughest glues from your skin. Retrieve a small dish and a bottle of acetone nail polish remover. If the glue is on your fingers, submerge the affected area into the acetone and let it soak for 10 minutes. If the glue is on other body areas, saturate a cotton ball with acetone. Rub the cotton ball over the glue for several minutes until the glue dissolves.^{[6]
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Cleveland Clinic
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- Acetone can make your skin dry, cracked, or irritated. Wash your hands with soap and water. Then, apply a fragrance-free moisturizer to prevent any irritation.
- This method is ideal for nail glue removal from the fingertips.
- Opt for a microfiber hand towel if you’re trying to remove super glue. Cotton and wool can have a negative reaction when combined with super glue.
3
Rub petroleum jelly over the affected area. If you enjoy rocking a fresh set of acrylic nails, you may not love all the excess nail glue that winds up under your nails or on your fingertips. Dip a cloth in petroleum jelly, rubbing in circular motions until the glue flakes off.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Mohiba Tareen, MD
FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist

Expert Interview}
- You can also use the jelly before painting or applying press-on nails to avoid staining your skin with nail polish or glue.^{[8]
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- Some lip balms contain petroleum jelly and may be substituted for traditional petroleum jelly.
Massaging lotion onto the affected area may be your best bet if you have sensitive skin. Opt for oily lotions, as the oils inside may help break down the glue. Use an exfoliating glove to create more friction against your skin.^{[9]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Removing Nail Glue from Your Hands

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To ease the removal of nail glue from your fingers or hand, you must first soften the adhesive. Fill a basin with warm water. Submerge your fingertips or entire hand into the water. Soak the affected area for two minutes. Remove any glue that detaches from your nails or skin.
2
File your nails and apply acetone. Retrieve a nail file, a bottle of acetone, and cotton balls. You can also dip a pumice stone in a warm, soapy water mixture to remove glue.^{[10]
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- Carefully run the nail file over your nails to remove large pieces of glue. Do not file your nail down to the skin.
- Soak a cotton ball in acetone and wipe the saturated swab over your nails and skin. Continue to rub the affected areas with acetone until the glue rolls off your nails and skin.
After removing the glue with a nail file and acetone, it is important to wash your hands. Run your hands under warm water. Scrub your hands and fingernails with an exfoliating soap.

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