When you paint your nails, you want it to look as good as possible and last as long as possible. You may not think about it, but there are actually many different ingredients in nail polish that affect how it looks and how long it lasts. Here is a look at some of the most common nail polish ingredients and why you should care about them.
Plasticizers
Plasticizers are some of the most common ingredients in nail polish. They are responsible for making the polish flexible and preventing it from becoming brittle and cracking. Without plasticizers, nail polish would chip off more easily and would not last as long.
Resins
Resins are also very common in nail polish and are responsible for giving the polish its shiny finish. Without resins, nail polish would not have the glossy look that you want.
Solvents
Solvents, such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, are used to dissolve other ingredients and act as carriers for the other ingredients. Without solvents, nail polish would not be able to hold the other ingredients and would not be able to be applied in the same way.
Dyes
Dyes are used to give nail polish its color. Without dyes, nail polish would not be able to come in the wide variety of colors that it does.
UV Absorbers
UV absorbers, such as benzophenone and ethylhexyl salicylate, are used to protect the nail polish from discoloration due to exposure to sunlight. Without UV absorbers, nail polish could become discolored after prolonged exposure to the sun.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many different ingredients in nail polish and each one plays an important role. Knowing the ingredients that are in your nail polish and why they are important is a great way to make sure you are using the best products and getting the best results.