How to Remove Super Glue from Your Skin (Petroleum Jelly Method)

Last Updated: December 27, 2021

If you're doing any type of project around your house or even someplace else, you may use super glue as an adhesive because of it's superior sticking capabilities. These projects, however, can come with the risk of getting super glue on your skin. Although this may seem scary to you, never fear: it's relatively easy to painlessly remove super glue using petroleum jelly or a variety of other ways at home.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Petroleum Jelly

1
Assess the situation. So long as the super glue isn't on or inside of your eyes or inside of your mouth, you can safely remove super glue at home. If you have super glue on any of these other regions, see your doctor or visit an emergency room or urgent care as soon as possible.
- A doctor can most effectively remove super glue from the sensitive eye areas.
- In most cases, super glue will solidify on contact with saliva. You can rinse out your mouth copiously with water, but it's advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.
2
Flush skin with soap and water. Before you begin any measures to remove super glue with petroleum jelly, rinse off your skin copiously with warm, soapy water. This can help to loosen the super glue and prepare your skin for removal.
- You can use any mild soap to flush your skin.
- Ensure that the water isn't too hot when rinsing your skin so that you don't burn it. Use a thermometer to check the water temperatures. Optimal temperatures for water are between 36 and 40 degrees.^{[1]
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3
Remove any contaminated clothing. As you flush off your skin, take off any clothing on or around the affected area. This can help ensure that you don't get any more super glue on your skin.
- Rinse skin for at least 15 minutes.
- Wash any clothing or shoes before you put them on again.
- Gently dab the affected skin dry so that you don't irritate it.
4
Rub petroleum jelly on the affected area. Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the skin stuck with super glue. This can help to further release the product from your skin in an effectively and painless manner.
- Gently rub the petroleum jelly over the affected area. Do this until the product comes off of your skin.
- If you don't have any petroleum jelly, you can use vegetable or mineral/ baby oil or even products such as lip balm that contain petroleum jelly.
- If you have super glue on your lips and are using petroleum jelly, be sure to not pull your lips apart, instead rolling or peeling your lips apart.^{[2]
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- Make sure to gently peel super glue from other areas of your skin as well.^{[3]
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5
Wash and dry affected skin area. Once you've removed the super glue on your skin, wash and dry the affected area. This can help to remove any debris or residue that has remained on your skin.
- Use mild soap and warm water to wash just as you did before you used the petroleum jelly.
6
Repeat process as necessary. If the super glue is particularly stubborn and won't come off, simply repeat the washing and petroleum jelly process as necessary. If repeated attempts don't successfully remove the super glue or your skin becomes irritated or infected, seek medical treatment immediately.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Removal Alternatives

1
Apply warm compresses. Putting a warm compress on the affected area may help soften your skin, making removal of the super glue easier and potentially less painful.^{[4]
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- Warm up one glass of water to a comfortable temperature that won't burn your skin. Dip a soft cloth in the water and put it on the affected skin.^{[5]
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- Hold the compresses on for 30 seconds before trying to remove the super glue.^{[6]
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2
Employ an oil on your skin. You can use a variety of oils to help remove super glue from your skin. From vegetable to almond oils, these may help get rid of super glue residue on your skin as effectively as petroleum jelly.^{[7]
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- You can use any type of oil including vegetable, olive, almond, baby or mineral oil.^{[8]
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- Pour the oil on a piece of cloth or gauze and rub it on your skin for a couple of minutes.^{[9]
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- Make sure to be gentle so that you don't further irritate your skin.^{[10]
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3
Administer lotion to the affected skin. Lotions may also effectively remove super glue and its residue from your skin.^{[11]
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Research source} Apply a small amount to the affected area to begin getting rid of the product.^{[12]
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- You can use a cloth or your hands to apply the lotion to the affected skin. Gently rub it and it should easily peel super glue from your skin.^{[13]
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- You can use most types of lotion, though emollient hand lotions may be the best and most gentle options.^{[14]
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4
Consider using acetone. Many people have successfully removed super glue with acetone or nail polish remover.^{[15]
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Research source} Be aware that while this can effectively get rid of super glue on your skin, it can also irritate your skin, and should probably only be used when other methods don't work.^{[16]
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- Do not use acetone anywhere near your eyes or mouth.^{[17]
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- Only use acetone on smaller skin surfaces that have super glue.^{[18]
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5
Exfoliate the affected skin. Use a nail file or skin buffer to gently exfoliate the affected area. This may also remove stubborn or lingering super glue on your skin.
- You can use nail files or emery boards, or even skin exfoliators such as loofahs.
- In addition, simple table salt can work as an exfoliant. Wet the area with water and rub the salt into the super glue until it forms a paste. This can help loosen the glue and lift it from your skin.
- Be as gentle with these products as possible, as they are likely to irritate your skin from repeated rubbing.
6
Seek medical treatment. If you are unable to remove the super glue from your skin after repeated treatments, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. This can help prevent infection as well as remove the lingering adhesive from your skin.^{[19]
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- If you skin shows any signs of infection or severe inflammation, see a doctor immediately.
- You should also see a doctor immediately if you get super glue on or in your eye, or in your mouth.^{[20]
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Warnings

If you have an allergic reaction to any products, discontinue their use.

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Scrubbing too hard can scratch and irritate your skin.

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Don't scrub on broken, irritated, or sunburnt skin.

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