How to Keep Nail Polish from Drying Out

Co-authored by Mia Rubie

Last Updated: October 17, 2022

Are you sick of getting excited to paint your nails only to discover that all of your polish has dried up? Stop throwing away bottles of perfectly good polish. With a just a few tricks, it's easy to get as much life as possible out of your polish. You can even rescue polish that has already dried up if you have a little lacquer thinner handy.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Changing Your Storage Habits

1
Keep the cap on the bottle when you're not using the brush. The number one cause of dried out polish is leaving the cap off of the bottle. A good general rule is to keep the cap on the bottle whenever you're not using the brush to apply polish. For instance, if you're waiting for the first layer of polish to dry before you add a second, take the time to screw the cap back on.^{[1]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.} Remember—nail polish is made to dry quickly when it comes in contact with air whether or not it's on your nails.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Always tighten the cap on your nail polish bottle tightly.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Rubie
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.} A loose seal can let air in or lead to messy cap threads.
2
Keep the polish in a cool, dark, area.. Heat and light are your enemies when it comes to keeping your polish fresh. Try to store your polish somewhere out of the sun and away from sources of heat to keep the polish lasting longer.^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Mia Rubie
Nail Artist
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- If you have room in your refrigerator, this is a good place to keep your polish. Otherwise, keep it in a closed cabinet (rather than on the counter).
Advertisement
3
Agitate the polish every few days. Polish that is allowed to sit for long periods of time is more likely to start to set. To avoid this, occasionally roll the polish in your hands or turn the bottle over a few times. If you paint your nails regularly, just agitate the polish every time you use it. Otherwise, take a few seconds to agitate each bottle every two to four days,^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can also shake the bottle gently, but shaking vigorously can create bubbles which can make the polish apply unevenly the next time you use it.
4
Clean messy cap threads. Gunky threads (the spiraling ridges on the mouth of the bottle that the cap screws on to) can affect the cap's seal and even let in air. Luckily, it's not hard to clean the threads once they get clogged with caked-on polish.^{[6]
X
Research source} See below:
- Moisten a cotton ball or Q-tip with fingernail polish remover. Try to squeeze most of the remover back into the bottle — you don't need a soaking wet cotton ball.
- Gently scrub the cap threads. The dried polish should start to dissolve. If necessary, re-soak your cotton ball or switch to a new one. Finish by wiping the clean cap threads with a tissue.
- Try not to let nail polish remover get into the polish itself. This can affect the texture of your polish — it may even ruin the whole bottle if enough gets in.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Revitalizing Dried Polish

1
Add a few drops of lacquer thinner to the bottle. If you have a bottle of nail polish that has already dried up, you may not need to throw it out just yet. There are a few simple ways to get your polish back in good order. The most straightforward is to add a little lacquer thinner to it. Use an eye dropper to add a few drops at a time — you shouldn't need much.
- Be sure to do this somewhere well-ventilated. The fumes from lacquer thinner can be hazardous in tight spaces. If the weather is good, go outside. Otherwise, open a door or window and turn on a fan.
- Lacquer thinner is available at most hardware stores for just a few dollars per can. The smallest sizes are normally about a quart, so one purchase will last you a long time.
- You can also use nail polish remover or acetone, but be sure to only use a few drops. Otherwise, the polish might become too watery.^{[7]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Mia Rubie
  Nail Artist
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
2
Shake well to combine. Once you've added a small amount of lacquer thinner, screw the cap back on to the nail polish bottle and shake it gently. You can also upend the bottle or use the cap brush to stir the contents. The thinner should gradually loosen up the dried polish, leaving you with liquid polish.
- If your polish is still too thick, add more thinner a drop at a time and continue stirring. When your polish is the correct consistency, stop adding thinner.
3
Alternatively, use clear polish. If you don't have lacquer thinner handy, you can get a similar effect by adding clear nail polish to bottles of dried up color polish. Just add it a few drops at a time and agitate the bottle as you would with thinner. This tends to work best with polish that isn't completely dried up yet.
- Note that this can affect the color and consistency of your polish. It shouldn't outright ruin it, however. You should still be able to use it when it's liquid again.

Community Q&A

Question

I purchased several bottles of my favorite polish, which is being discontinued. Is it possible to keep them for several years? If so, how should I store them?

Community Answer

Yes, it's possible to keep them for several years. Keep the cap on any open bottles when you're not using the brush. (Screwing the cap on tightly is important. A loose seal can let air in or lead to messy cap threads.) Keep the polish in a cool, dark, area, such as a refrigerator. Agitate the polish every few days.