Have you ever wondered what are the products being used in your nail appointment?
Here is a guide of what is used in your manicure or pedicure service, what the ingredients are and why they are used.
Nail polish.
Nail polish is used to remove unwanted nail polish, it also removes any grease from the nail plate prior to applying nail polish.
Nail polish has many ingredients the most common is acetone or ethyl acetate which is a solvent which is used to dissolve nail polishes. There can be synthetic perfume and colour to make the nail polish more appealing. Oil is the emollient which reducing the drying of the skin made by the solvent. You can buy acetone-free nail polish remover, they are made from soya and corn-based agricultural chemicals called esters.
Hand/foot lotion/oil
Hand/foot lotion and oil are used to soften the skin and cuticles, they also help if a hand or foot massage is part of the service.
Hand/foot lotions and oils can contain four main ingredients, one of these ingredients is vegetable oils such as almond oil, synthetic oils are also available. Organic or synthetic perfumes are also in the ingredients to give a nice smell to the product. The last two main ingredients are emulsifying agents and emollients.
Nail bleach
Nail bleach is used to whiten stained nails and the surrounding skin.
Nail bleach contains 3 main ingredients these are citric acid or hydrogen peroxide, glycerine and water. The bleach ingredient is the citric acid or hydrogen peroxide.
Nail polish
Nail polish is the colour that is applied to your nails, it can also provide protection to the nail bed.
Nail polish has many ingredients, the most obvious one is the colour pigment which creates the nail polish colour. Formaldehyde is the ingredients that improves adherence and flexibility. Resin also adds to the flexibility and adhesion of the nail polish. Solvent, for example butyl alcohol, is used to create suitable consistency when applying and helps the polish dry at a controllable rate. Toluene is a solvent that is used to dissolve all ingredients in the nail polish. Nitrocellulose is the film-forming plastic which holds colour. Plasticizers are the key ingredient for the nail polish not chipping and helps when the product is drying out.
Cuticle cream
Cuticle cream is to soften and condition the nails, cuticles and the surrounding skin.
Cuticle cream contains emollients such as lanolin, beeswax or glycerine. It has two ‘cosmetic’ ingredients which are the perfume and colour, these ingredients just make the product look and smell nice.
Cuticle oil
Cuticle oil is used to soften and condition the cuticles and surrounding skin
Cuticle oil contains emollient oils such as lanolin and organic oils such as almond oil.
Nail strengthener
Nail strengthener is used to strengthen and condition weak, brittle or damaged nails and protect them from breaking, splitting or peeling.
Nail strengthener contains one main ingredient, this is formaldehyde which is a film-forming plastic resin.
Nail Conditioners
Nail conditioners are a formula that helps to rehydrate and improve the appearance and health of the nail, also encourages nail growth.
Nail conditioners use organic oils which are vitamin enriched and provide excellent emollient properties.
Cuticle remover
Cuticle remover is to soften the cuticles, so they are ready to be removed.
Cuticle remover contains potassium hydroxide (an alkali) and glycerine which is added to reduce drying on the nail plate.
Buffing paste
Buffing paste is used to provide a shine to the nail plate and is used with a buffer.
It contains perfume and colour for the cosmetic side of the product (how it looks). It contains abrasive particles to remove surface cells.
Nail polish drier
A nail polish drier increases the speed at which the polish hardens.
It has two main ingredients which are mineral oil and oleric acid or silicone.
Nail polish solvent
A nail polish solvent is what thins nail polish that has a thickened, it restores the nail polish.
Ingredients that are in a nail polish solvent are ethyl acetate and toluene. Ethyl acetate is what thins nail polish out and Toluene is the solvent that helps dissolve the nail polish ingredients.
