Summer keeps us active, and that often leads to wear and tear. Surprisingly, one overlooked factor could be silently ruining your nails: temperature. It plays a significant role in how products behave, and that’s no surprise given how differently nail products respond to heat and cold. This guide breaks down how each nail product reacts to seasonal and temperature shifts and what you can do to keep your collection in good condition. Regular Polish/Lacquer When it comes to lacquers or regular nail polishes, air exposure is the main culprit behind product breakdown. These formulas contain solvents to stay fluid, but once exposed to air, the solvents evaporate, making the polish thicker and eventually unusable. Cool Temperature Chilly conditions don’t do your polish any favors. Cool temperatures lead to regular nail polish becoming thicker and taking longer to dry, which raises the likelihood of smudging your newly painted nails. Hot Temperature On the flip side, heat can also cause problems. Warm environments may cause polish to thicken and dry out faster, making it harder to apply evenly. In some cases, the color might even look different on your nails than it does in the bottle. How To Work With Regular Polish or Lacquer In Different Temperatures Some regular nail polishes are designed with a bit of help inside the bottle. Those tiny stainless steel metal beads work as agitators to keep the product smooth and well-mixed. But if your polish is thicker than usual due to temperature shifts, warming it slightly can help. Place the bottle in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes. If it’s dried out, add a few drops of dedicated nail polish thinner, then gently roll the bottle between your palms to mix evenly. Gel Polish Gel polish is a bit more sensitive to its environment. Temperature changes can impact both its performance and longevity, and because it’s also light-sensitive (exposure to UV/LED triggers a solidifying chemical reaction), improper storage can lead to premature curing and product waste. Cool Temperature In cooler weather, gel polish tends to get thick and less self-leveling. This results in gooey, uneven, or patchy applications that are difficult to smooth out. Hot Temperature Meanwhile, high heat makes gel polish runnier and harder to control. It may flood the cuticle area or slip off the nail before you can cure it properly. How To Work With Gel Polish In Different Temperatures There are a few simple tricks to revive gel polish. Putting the bottle in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes can help restore a smooth, easy-to-apply consistency. Moreover, some nail techs even get creative. Wrapping bottles in a towel or sitting on them for a few minutes helps bring them closer to room temperature. On the other hand, if your gel polish feels too runny, apply thinner layers and be sure the bottle has already stabilized at room temperature. Always store gel polishes upright and away from sunlight, as recommended in our article about proper nail storage. Dip Powder Unlike other nail systems, dip powders are a little more resistant to temperature changes. Their different application method and powder composition give them an advantage over acrylics, though extreme temperatures can still influence their performance. Cool Temperature Dip powders exposed to cold can interfere with how dip liquids work. The liquids may become thicker in low temperatures, which can disrupt bonding and the overall finish of your dip powder manicure. Hot Temperature High temperatures may cause the dip powder and liquids to dry faster, leading to uneven results like splotches, cracking, or lifting of the dip powder. How To Work With Dip Powders In Different Temperatures Maintaining a consistent room temperature is the key to keeping the quality of all nail products. Adjusting the number of dips may be necessary depending on the temperature. If you live somewhere hot and dry and prefer dip application, you may need to increase your cuticle oil use to keep the nails hydrated and reduce the risk of cracking between fills. Acrylic Powder Acrylics and gel polishes are the most reactive to temperature changes. With acrylics, their setting process relies on a chemical reaction between liquid monomer and powder polymer. That’s why even slight temperature shifts can affect curing speed and workability. Cool Temperature Colder conditions can make acrylics stay runny and take longer to set. This makes the product more difficult to control during application and weakens the finished product if not handled properly. Hot Temperature On warmer days, acrylics may set much too fast. The product can become stiff before you’ve had time to shape it, making it tricky to achieve a smooth, even finish. How To Work With Acrylic Powder In Different Temperatures Mastering acrylic application means adjusting your pace and ratios. In cold environments, opt for more powder and less liquid to balance out the runny consistency. Make sure to dab off excess liquid from your brush. If the room is hot, speed is your best friend. Use a safe, slow-setting monomer, like Liquid Monomer EMA - 1 gallon, and work with smaller, thinner beads. This gives you more time to shape and encapsulate before the acrylic hardens. Understanding how temperature affects your nail products can make all the difference in achieving stunning, long-lasting nails. Through this guide, you’ll be equipped to make informed choices regarding which application type is ideal for the season. We heard some nail techs get hand warmers to get their clients’ hands to room temperature. 👀 How about you? Do you have any nail hacks for dealing with temperature changes? Spill your life-changing tips on our iGel Beauty Facebook Community! With these tips and yours, keeping our nail products in good quality is now second nature. ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────── Written by Alyssa Bueno on July 16, 2025 Alyssa Bueno, a true beauty enthusiast, brings her passion for writing and beauty to life as a writer for iGel Beauty. With a diverse editorial background and industry expertise, Alyssa shares the latest trends and curates tutorials and tips to inspire nail lovers worldwide.
