Three-free: New Generation Nail Polish

By: Katie Schaefer, Cosmetics & Toiletries magazine

Posted: December 30, 2009, from the January 2010 issue of Cosmetics & Toiletries.

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Reformulating nail polishes without formaldehyde presented an issue for Chang, as tosylamide/formaldehyde resin typically is used to provide the lasting color that consumers desire. “Formaldehyde resin contains traces of formaldehyde but we wanted to be completely free of formaldehyde, so we replaced it with epoxy resins and other copolymer systems,” said Chang.

Although reformulating Wet N Wild nail polishes was not easy, both Jennison and Chang note that eliminating these ingredients has not decreased the efficacy of the products. “More advanced polymer technologies are predicting the future of nail polish technology,” said Jennison.

She added that rather than reformulating to replace these materials, some companies have instead created natural or water-based nail products. However, Jennison does not find water-based polishes to provide what her consumer is seeking. “The fact of the matter is, 100% water-based nail polishes do not last. They peel and they do not provide the durability that today’s consumer is looking for.”

A Bright Future for Nails
As noted, the company is applying new polymer technologies to develop a line of nail polishes. “We’re coming out with a nail polish in 2010 that utilizes a new polymer system to adhere pigments to the nail without formaldehyde.

In addition, the new line is formulated with a patented mineral blend to deliver nutrients to the nail,” said Jennison. In addition to providing nail nutrition, Jennison notes that nail polishes are becoming more breathable. Chang adds that she has seen a rise in encapsulation technology for nail polishes to deliver time-released color. She plans to use this encapsulation technology to release nutrients to the nail bed in a time-regulated formula.