It’s also naturally produced in small amounts in your body and throughout the environment.

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What Has Acetone In It?

This clear, flammable liquid has a distinct smell and taste.

A woman cleaning a kitchen cabinet

Grace Cary / Getty Images

Because it evaporates quickly and is easily dissolved in water, acetone has many, different uses.

Cosmetic Uses

Acetoneis perhaps most commonly known for its use as a nail polish remover.

It works by breaking down and stripping the polish from thenail plate.

Brendan Camp, MD

In addition to removing regular nail polish, acetone can also be safe for removinggel nail polish.

Acetone is not generally used in other cosmetic products.

Cleaning Uses

When it comes to household use, acetone is often found in cleaning products.

This involves soaking the plant in acetone, straining it, and allowing the acetone to evaporate.

The remaining product would be the rosemary (or other plant) that’s been extracted.

It differs from the acetone used in household products and other industrial items.

Low acetone levels are usually present in the body from body fat breakdown.

Acetone Safety: What Is Hazardous or Poisonous?

For these reasons, acetone should not be used as a main ingredient in skin care products.

There are a few anecdotal at-home tactics for those specifically seeking an alternative to nail polish remover.

However, these alternatives are not necessarily scientifically proven.

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American Academy of Dermatology.Dermatologist’s secret to removing gel nail polish at home.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.ToxFAQs for acetone.

Scott JM, Deuster PA.Ketones and human performance.J Spec Oper Med.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.Toxicological profile for acetone.

Umeh C et al.Acetone ingestion resulting in cardiac arrest and death.Cureus.

2021 Oct 3;13(10):e18466.

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U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21.