How to Get Resin off Hands Easily and Safely (2024 Guide)

As of late, creating resin art has become a very popular hobby, while different epoxy resins have been used as adhesives or coating in industrial and DIY projects for a while now.

Even though you should always take the necessary precautions when working with these materials, accidents happen, and you can only benefit from knowing how to get resin off hands easily and without hurting yourself.

So let’s get this show on the road!

How Does Resin End up on Your Hands?

If you’ve decided to give resin crafting a try, there are a few thighs you should know about this material before you start creating wonderful pieces of art. Resin can irritate your lungs, skin, and eyes.

Those who use epoxy resin for crafts are, due to the higher degree of exposure, often even more at risk than people who are using it as an adhesive or who have been exposed to it when using a high-quality windshield repair kit. 

In order to protect yourself, apart from covering your workspace with a plastic drop cloth set, it’s recommended that you wear nitrile gloves, a respirator face mask, and eye protection.

However, accidents do happen, and you can still end up with resin on your hands. If you’re not sure what to do if you get epoxy resin on your skin, we’ve got you covered. Let’s get started.

How to Get Resin off Hands

A few questions come into mind when working with resin, but how to get sticky resin off your hands is undoubtedly the most common one. Resin can be a tricky medium and pose a real challenge. Luckily, there are more than a few ways to get resin off the skin. 

It’s a good idea to keep several resin removal items close. Before you start working, do a little research and see what is available in your home.

Below you can find different methods of getting resin off hands. We’ve compiled a list of the most effective ones that’ll surely come in useful at some point. 

How to Clean Resin off Hands Using Liquid Soap

The pandemic has reminded us of how important and protective handwashing really is. It’s not surprising then that you can use water and soap to remove epoxy from the skin. You’ll need:

• Water
• Liquid soap
• A cloth

This is one of the simplest and safest solutions to remove resin from the skin. Most of the commonly available resins will come off if you wash your hands with liquid soap and warm water.

Be sure to run the water a bit to maintain the temperature. Lukewarm water is also okay — just make sure it’s not too hot. 

To deal with the epoxy on the skin more efficiently, get a cloth. All you have to do is soak it in warm soapy water and rub the resin off. Rub the cloth around in circles and scrub gently, and voilà!

And if you’d like to know how to get fiberglass resin off your hands, you can apply a similar method. Don’t scratch or rub the area. Instead, carefully put adhesive tape on it and remove it gently to pull out the fibers.

How to Get Epoxy Resin off Hands With Rubbing Vinegar

Same as the first one, this method is quite simple and really effective. Vinegar is often used to treat fungal infections. It’s a natural substance and it doesn’t contain abrasive chemicals.

That being said, you shouldn’t keep vinegar in prolonged contact with the skin, as it can become caustic. In other words, while this method can come in handy, you shouldn’t use it on regular basis. Items you’ll need:

• Vinegar
• A bowl
• A cloth

Put some vinegar in the bowl and soak the corner of the cloth. You can use a regular small dishcloth. Start scrubbing your hand gently in a circular motion for a short time. If you can still see some resin, repeat the process one more time.

The resin should become soft, and you can simply peel it away. Vinegar is a quick and painless way if you’re wondering how to get resin off your hands. Don’t forget to wash them afterward and apply moisturizer when you’re done.

How to Get Resin off of Hands With Citrus Cleaners

If you’ve been researching what cleans resin, you probably came across people recommending citrus. After all, it’s acidic, and it can help you a lot when it comes to removing this substance. You can find a variety of citrus-based cleaners on the market.

Items you’ll need:

• A citrus-based cleaner
• Water

All you have to do is apply the citrus solution directly to your skin and wash the treated area with water for a calming effect. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

However, this method isn’t recommended for those with sensitive skin. If you still want to stick to citrus and avoid skin irritation, we have another solution — organic citrus soap.

You can purchase a bar from a wellness store or make it yourself. Also, citrus soaps give off an amazingly fresh, clean scent!

How to Remove Resin From Skin Using Baking Soda

Baking soda has a lot of benefits to offer, and simply put — it can do wonders. It’s very likely that you already have some baking soda at home. How to get dried resin off hands with this common product is a trick that everyone should be familiar with.

Items you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Dish soap

Simply pour about a tablespoon of baking soda into your hand and then a tablespoon of dish soap onto it. Don’t add any water at this stage. Just scrub your hands together thoroughly. In the end, wash it off with water. Simple enough, right?

And if you’re wondering how to get the epoxy smell off your hands, once again, baking soda is the answer.

How to Get Epoxy Off Hands With a Sugar Scrub

Same as baking soda, a sugar scrub can do miracles when it comes to removing stains. Although a sugar scrub can’t remove resin as effectively as some of the abovementioned methods, you can give it a go if you’re out of other options at the moment.

Items you’ll need:

• 2 cups of sugar
• ½ cup of oil
• 15–20 drops of essential oil (of your choosing)
• A bowl

Simply put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix it well. This may not be the best way to get resin off the skin, but it can surely help in a pinch.

And in case you didn’t know, sugar can do wonders for your skin, so you can use this scrub occasionally, even if you don’t have epoxy on your hands.

How to Get UV Resin off Hands

The safest way to clean UV resin off your hands is by using baby wipes and 91% isopropyl alcohol.

Items you’ll need:

• Baby wipes
• 91% isopropyl alcohol
• Dishwashing liquid
• Water

Simply wipe down every area of your skin that has resin on it. After that, put dishwashing liquid on the affected dry areas and rub it gently. The final step is to wash the treated skin with water.

Be extremely careful when using 91% isopropyl alcohol since it may cause unwanted effects, like a burning or stinging feeling on the area where it’s applied. Immediately seek medical help if you experience any unwanted symptoms.

FAQ

What removes resin from hands?

If you really want to know how to get resin off hands, we have already listed the most popular methods in great detail. In general, it depends on the resin and the affected area.

You can use everyday products such as soap, vinegar, sugar, water, essential oils, citrus, cloth, alcohol, baby wipes, cotton, or paper towels.

However, be extremely careful when using alcohol or chemicals since they could cause skin irritation! If you experience such symptoms, immediately seek emergency medical care.

What happens if resin gets on your hands?

Overall, it depends on your skin sensitivity and the type of resin you’re working with. If this happens, your hands will feel itchy and sticky. You may also experience a slight burning sensation.

However, bear in mind that skin contact with a hardening agent can cause severe burns. In addition, some people have allergic reactions to the resin that may lead to swelling, itching, and red eyes.

Will acetone remove cured epoxy?

We’ve already mentioned how to remove uncured resin in the sections above. Removing hardened epoxy is slightly different. In a nutshell — yes, acetone can help.

It’s a powerful cleaning agent that can dissolve cured or hardened epoxy on equipment or skin, and that you probably already have at home if you have a well-stocked at-home gel nail kit. 

You can soak the equipment in acetone or wipe it down with a cloth soaked in acetone to dissolve and remove the hardened epoxy. While you can do the same with skin, acetone is not the gentlest of chemicals, and you should be extremely careful when using it this way.

You can try using an acetone-based nail polish remover. And don’t forget that you need to work in a ventilated area.

How long does epoxy rash last?

Allergic reactions to epoxy may lead to skin irritation even within minutes of exposure. Usually, the rash will last two to four weeks. If you’re constantly exposed to epoxy, you can experience more severe issues, such as respiratory problems or a red rash. 

Many people become sensitized to epoxy after many exposures, while some may experience issues even after the first time they come into contact with it. You should avoid all exposure as much as you can.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to tell how much you can tolerate before you experience allergic reactions.

Is it dangerous to get resin on your skin?

The short answer is yes. Everyone who works with resin will eventually get some on their skin. However, you must know what to do if you get resin on your hands for your safety.

It’s an irritant that can cause moderate, mild, or severe health problems, so make sure you have a reliable first aid kit at hand when working with resin.

The most common ones include skin irritation, itching, and a slight burning sensation. If left untreated for more extended periods, it can also cause dermatitis.

Some of the most dangerous effects include respiratory problems and burns. In case you experience serious health problems, immediately seek medical help!

Finishing Thoughts

Resin art isn’t just trending. It’s also addictive. Now that you’ve learned how to get resin off hands, you can finally put your skills to the test and enjoy creating unique and incredible pieces of art.

Remember to take precautions when working with this substance and protect yourself in the best way you can. If you do so, you can feel free to spread some artistic vibes and tell your story!