Nail polish is primarily made of several key components that work together to create a smooth, colorful, and durable coating on nails:
- Film-forming polymer: The main polymer used is nitrocellulose , which forms the hard, shiny film on the nail once the polish dries. Some higher-end polishes use cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) for better performance
- Solvents: Organic volatile solvents such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate dissolve the polymer and other ingredients, keeping the polish liquid in the bottle. These solvents evaporate quickly after application, allowing the polish to dry and harden
- Plasticizers: Ingredients like triphenyl phosphate , camphor , and dibutyl phthalate are added to provide flexibility and prevent the polish from becoming brittle and cracking
- Resins: Various resins improve adhesion, hardness, and glossiness of the polish. Examples include tosylamide/formaldehyde resin and related compounds
- Pigments and dyes: These provide the color and can include iron oxides, color lakes, mica, titanium dioxide, and other FDA-approved colorants
- Suspending agents: Substances like stearalkonium hectorite and bentonite keep pigments evenly distributed throughout the polish
- UV stabilizers: Chemicals such as benzophenone-1 help prevent color fading from exposure to sunlight
- Additional additives: Some polishes may contain glitter (mica or aluminum powder) or other modifiers to alter the finish (matte, glossy) and improve adhesion
In summary, nail polish is a complex mixture of polymers dissolved in solvents, combined with plasticizers, resins, pigments, and other additives to achieve the desired color, durability, flexibility, and finish
