Gel X Nails vs Acrylic- Differences & Which One is Better

Gel X nails are amazing, from my experience, not only are they easy to DIY at home but they are also long-lasting and durable.

But how do they measure up to acrylic nails the original nail extension?

So in this article, we are going to be comparing Gel X nails against Acrylic Nails to see which one is right for you.

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Differences between Acrylic nails & Gel X Nails

The main difference between Acrylic nails and Gel X nails is how they are applied.

Acrylic Nails are applied by mixing acrylic liquid with acrylic powder to create an acrylic bead which is then used to build out your acrylic nails.

Whilst Gel X Nails are premade full-covered gel nails that are glued onto your natural nails using gel glue that needs to be cured under a UV nail lamp for the gel x nails to adhere to your nails.

Gel X vs Polygel- Which is Stronger & Easier to Apply

Hard Gel vs Gel X – Differences & Which is Better

Comparing Gel X Nails Vs Acrylic

Gel X nails are safer & less damaging to your natural nails
Acrylic nails are stronger and long-lasting
Both acrylic and gel X can create identical-looking manicures
But acrylic nails tend to feel lighter and more natural
Gel X nails come with the risks of strong UV light exposure. But has a lower scent.
Acrylic nails come with higher risks of skin irritation & inhaling acrylic fumes
Gel X nails are easier to remove

1- Gel X nails are less damaging to your natural nails

One of the biggest advantages that Gel X has over acrylic nails is that on average Gel X will be safer and less damaging to your natural nails.

This is because Gel X nails:

Are Way Easier to Remove when compared to acrylic – Most damage to your natural nails is done by incorrect removal or application and since acrylic nails are tougher to remove they are more likely to damage your nails.
Gel X nail use gel base coats during application which will help to protect the nails during the removal process.

It’s important to note that once applied and removed correctly both acrylic nails and gel x nails won’t damage or hurt your natural nails.

I have been working with Acrylic nails and Gel X nails for many years now and anytime damages do occur it is always because of poor application or incorrect removal not from the manicure products themselves.

2- Acrylic Nails are more Durable & Long-Lasting

Acrylic nails are stronger, more durable, and will last you a longer time than Gel X nails.

So if your main focus is getting the strongest and most long-lasting manicure then your best bet is with acrylic nails which can last for 6-8 weeks without damaging or lifting. You will of course need a fill-in every 2-3 weeks or so.

You can click here to learn about How long you can expect acrylic nails to last & some tips to make them last longer.

Gel X nails are pretty good too and can easily last for 5 weeks and even longer depending on the brand and how well you take care of them. But from my experience, they are more prone to lifting when compared to acrylic nails or conventional hard gel nails.

To make your Gel X nails last longer, check out my 9 Tips to Make Gel X Nails Last Longer & Prevent Lifting

3- Acrylic Nails Feel More Natural

Acrylic nails and Gel X nails will look identical when they are applied. But after trying both of them I think Acrylic nails tend to have a more lighter and natural feel.

I think this is because acrylic nails once applied correctly are built to the shape of your nails which makes them feel a bit more natural, whilst Gel X nails are premade.

Acrylic nails when applied incorrectly usually by using too much product can also feel bulky and unnatural.

For a great more natural-feeling product I recommend Dip Powder – click here to learn about Dip Nails Vs Acrylic.

4- Health Risks of Gel X Nails Vs Acrylic Nails

Both Gel X nails and acrylic nails do have health risks.

The main potential health risks that acrylic nails have is either from skin irritation usually an allergic reaction from the acrylic liquid going onto your skin or from inhaling the acrylic fumes during application which can affect your lungs.

Thankfully these risks can easily be avoided by just wearing a mask during application and by using safe acrylic products.

You can click here to learn more about the Dangers of Acrylic nails & How to prevent them.

Whilst the main health risk that Gel X nails come with is the exposure to strong UV light during the curing process. And studies have shown that repeated exposure to strong UV light can damage your skin and even potentially lead to skin cancer.

Now you can easily protect your skin by either wearing strong sunscreen on your hands and fingers or by wearing manicure gloves.

You can click here to read my article on Tip on How to Protect Hands from UV Nail Lamps

5- Gel X Nails are Easier to Apply

Gel X nails are really easy to apply especially when compared to acrylic nails which require a lot of practice to get right.

This is because Gel X nails come premade and just need to be glued onto your natural nails. Gel X also has a lower scent profile so your house won’t smell like strong chemicals.

Whilst with Acrylic nails you need to mix the liquid and powder at the right ratio and then build out the nail before it hardens. You can click here to see the different ways to apply Acrylic Nails.

Acrylic also has a stronger scent when compared to Gel X this is because the acrylic liquid evaporates quickly.

You check out the video below to see how easy it is to work with Gel X nails.

6- Gel X Nails are Easier to Remove

From my experience, Gel X nails are easier to remove when compared to acrylic nails. Even though the removal process is roughly the same for both nail products.

To remove either Gel X or Acrylic nails, you need to file off the top layer and then soak in the acetone.

Now I have noticed that most brands of Gel X nails are easier to file off and soak off faster when compared to acrylic nails.

You can check out the article below to see how to remove both types of manicures:

3 Ways How to Safely Remove Gel X Nails at Home

Ways How to Remove Acrylic Nails at Home

Gel X Nail Allergies: How to Spot, Treat & Prevent