How to Get Super Glue Off Skin

Edited byFlickety and 56 others

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They don't call it Super Glue for nothing. It bonds incredibly fast, and holds on amazingly strong (sometimes annoying). So what happens when this sticky mess gets on your skin? This article will show you how to remove any glue that contains cyanoacrylate.

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Nail Polish Remover Method

1. 1
   Soak the skin in warm soapy water as soon as possible. This will soften the glue. Adding some cool vinegar may also help.^[1] Try loosening the glue from your skin. If this doesn't work, pat the skin dry and move on to the next step.
   
   
   
   
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2. 2
   Use an acetone nail polish remover. It must have acetone, otherwise, it won't help you at all. Acetone softens cyanoacrylate. Rub it on the super glue. It should start peeling off. Do not use a cotton swab, as this can react very violently with cyanoacrylate.^[2]
   
   
   
   
   
   
   • Do not do this on sensitive skin (e.g. lips, eyes, nose) or near an open wound.^[1]
3. 3
   Let the area dry, then use a nail emery board to remove the glue. Be careful not to remove your skin, too. If you have a lot on your hands you can scrub it on a pumice stone kept in warm water.
   
   
   
   
4. 4
   Let it peel off on its own. It will turn white, but it will not hurt you, and it'll eventually come off without your help.
   
   
   
   

Margarine Method

1. 1
   On sensitive skin, try using margarine. Rub it on the area repeatedly until the glue can be gently peeled away.^[1]
   
   
   
   

WD40 Method

1. 1
   For those cases where acetone evaporates too quickly to soften the glue, try mixing 1 part acetone with 1 part WD-40. If you need it to stay put for long periods of time or on vertical surfaces, mix in some petroleum jelly. Apply a good thick coat of this mixture.
   
   
   
   

Laundry Detergent Method

1. 1
   Mix liquid laundry detergent (any brand) mixed with hot water. If you are removing the glue from a small area such as your fingers, 1/4 cup of laundry detergent combining with the hot water in a coffee cup will be sufficient.
2. 2
   Rub and soak for approximately 20 minutes to loosen up the thick band of glue.
   
   

   • If skin is bonded together, never pull the skin apart (which may cause the skin to tear). Always use a rotating motion.^[1]
   • People have also had luck using the following (use with caution as some may irritate your skin):
     • Petroleum jelly
     • Carburetor cleaner. Be careful to shield your eyes when spraying it.
   • Rubber (latex or nitrile) or vinyl gloves are cheap - if you expect to work with adhesives, buy some and use them. Taking glued together gloves off is a lot easier than ungluing your skin.

   Cyanoacrylate reacts very quickly in an exothermic reaction with cotton, it can and often will cause burns if it is brought into contact with cotton. Do not use cotton buds to remove superglue!

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