How to Remove Marker from Skin or Nails

If you have ever had your child write on her skin with a permanent marker or have gotten it on your own skin or nails, there are some things you can do to remove the marker.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Anti-bacterial hand gel
• Finger nail polish remover
• Rubbing alcohol
• Hot sauce
• Face-cleaning pad
• Toothpaste, sunscreen or shaving cream

1. Put a small amount of anti-bacterial hand gel onto the permanent marker stains on the skin and rub it in. Wipe excess gel off with a paper towel and wash the skin to remove the remaining marker.
2. Pour a little finger nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and dab it on the skin or nails. Wash the area with soap and water to remove the nail polish residue and prevent drying out of the skin. Put some lotion on the area to further protect it.
3. Try rubbing alcohol on your skin or nails to remove the permanent marker stain.
4. Rub some hot sauce onto the skin and wipe off. Wash directly afterward to remove all traces of the sauce.
5. Wipe the permanent marker stain with a face-cleaning pad.
6. Use toothpaste on the skin, rub it in and let it set for a minute or two. Then, wipe it dry with a wet cloth. You can also do this with sunscreen lotion or shaving cream in the same manner.

Tips & Warnings

• Markers usually do not have warning labels about getting the marker ink on your skin and are labeled non-toxic. However, you should still not write on your skin with permanent markers.
• Do not panic if your little one gets a hold of a marker and draws on her skin. It takes more than an ounce of permanent ink in the system to be lethal, so usually writing on skin will not cause harm.