L'Oréal Paris claims to have invented the “perfect nail polish” with Extraordinaire Gel-Lacquer 1-2-3 that delivers the long-lasting (up to 14 days!) manicure effects of a UV-gel manicure without the “harmful” UV rays or salon appointments. This column will review the ingredient listing for functionality and claims substantiation.
Ethyl and butyl acetate and isopropyl alcohol are the solvents/vehicle in which the film-formers adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer and nitrocellulose are dissolved. Triphenyl phosphate helps prevent crystallization. Stearalkonium bentonite and stearalkonium hectorite are clays that act as thickening agents. Vinyl dimethicone/methicone silsesquioxane crosspolymer is also a viscosity increasing agent as well as emulsion stabilizer.
Tosylamide/epoxy resin is a secondary film-former that provides durability and resilience to the gel lacquer. Ethyl tosylamide and trimethyl pentanyl diisobutyrate are plasticizers for the resins to help prevent chipping. Calcium sodium borosilicate is a type of borosilicate glass that is used as a bulking agent and helps fill ridges.
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate is a dispersing aid for the colorants, and it also helps improve film adhesion and gloss. Benzophenone-1 is a UVB sunscreen that helps protect the color from shifting or fading. Tin oxide is an opacifying agent, citric acid is a stabilizer and dimethicone adds shine. The colorants are titanium dioxide, iron oxides, mica, barium sulfate and the lake colors.
The question as to the “harmfulness” of UV rays from lamps that are used to cure gel polish in nail salons has not been substantiated and is a topic currently debated in the nail industry.