The cosmetic industry has been on a consistent growth trajectory over the past couple of years. According to recent projections, the global skincare market may grow to USD 463.5 billion by 20275.
Increased awareness of the benefits of cosmetic products is the primary driving force behind the growth of the skincare industry. No longer are beauty products viewed as a preserve of the wealthy and ostentatious in society. These products have evolved to become basic needs.
A 2017 survey among American consumers revealed that 52% use skincare products every day. The same survey showed that up to 94% of respondents use cosmetic products once in a while.
Manicure products like nail varnish make up a significant portion of all beauty and skincare products. But unknown to many people, the purpose of a nail varnish goes beyond adding extra appeal to your finger or nails. As you shall find out in this post, these products also offer protective benefits.
What Is Nail Varnish?
Nail varnish goes by numerous other names, including nail polish and nail enamel. It refers to a lacquer designed for applying to human fingernails or toenails.
Nail varnishes are widely used for decorative purposes. The lacquer can complement your dress code and help you make a lasting fashion statement depending on the chosen color. In addition to their cosmetic benefits, nail varnishes may also be applied to offer protection. The products specifically protect the nail plates from cracking and peeling.
Like most cosmetic products, nail varnishes come in various shapes and sizes. The formula you choose depends on your desired decorative and protective effects.
How Do Nail Varnishes Exert Their Protective Effects?
To understand how nail varnish protects your nail from damage, it’s essential to begin by knowing the ingredients in these products.
Nail varnishes typically contain the following ingredients;
Film-forming Polymer
Most nail varnishes include a film-forming polymer as their primary ingredient. Nitrocellulose is the most common polymer used.
Volatile Organic Solvent
This is another staple nail polish ingredient. Common solvents used include butyl acetate and ethyl acetate.
Adhesives
Adhesives promote the adherence of the applied nitrocellulose to your nail’s cuticle. Most manufacturers prefer tosylamide-formaldehyde resin.
Thickening Agents
These compounds help to maintain the glittering components in suspension before applying the polish. The compounds are formulated to be thixotropic, which implies that the solutions they stabilize remain viscous when still but flow freely upon agitation. Stearalkonium hectorite is a popular choice for thickening agents.
Plasticizers
Plasticizers help yield non-brittle films intending to protect the varnish coating and your nail cuticle from breaking. Examples of plasticizers in nail polishes include camphor and dibutyl phthalate.
Therapeutic Compounds
There’s a long list of pharmacologically beneficial compounds that may be added to nail polishes. Most of these products are loaded with vitamins A, C, and E. These compounds promote the healthy growth of your nails and adjacent skin.
Penetration Enhancers
Penetration enhancers are compounds that enhance the penetration of the various dermatologically beneficial chemicals in nail polish. The petroleum-based product, propylene glycol (PG), is a notable example of penetration enhancers.
Dyes and Pigments
These compounds account for the distinctive colors of nail polishes. There’s a wide range of options to experiment with, including chromium oxide greens, iron oxide, chromium hydroxide, stannic oxide, ultramarine, titanium dioxide, etc.
There’s also a special category of pigments known as opalescent pigments. These substances add an extra layer of glitter to the standard dyes and pigments. Popular choices include mica, aluminum power, natural pearls, and bismuth oxychloride.
Ultraviolet Absorbers
Although many consumers commonly overlook this aspect, it’s essential to insist on nail polishes that contain ultraviolet-absorbing compounds. Such compounds inhibit color changes that could result from exposing nitrocellulose to sunlight. Benzophenone-1 is highly effective in this area.
Flavor Enhancers
This may sound counterintuitive as nail varnishes are not intended for oral administration. However, some of these products contain sugars and other sweeteners, just if the polish accidentally winds up on your mouth.
Each of the above ingredients plays a specific role in protecting your finger and toenails.
First up, the formulation prevents water absorption. Note that your nails are highly porous and may absorb moisture even faster than your skin. Excess moisture causes nails to expand and shrink alternately. It’s a leading reason why nails chip. Nail polishes also bind nail cells together. This prevents your nails from fraying or splitting.
Last but not least, nail varnishes contain a variety of therapeutically valuable compounds. Most of these products are fortified with vitamins A, C, and E, all of which boost nail and skin health. Other nail polishes also contain moisturizing agents like neem and aloe vera. While the other ingredients in the formulation keep excess water out of your nails, these moisturizing agents ensure the skin around your nails doesn’t become too dry and flaky.
Some nail varnish manufacturers also experiment with even more powerful herbal extracts like cannabidiol (CBD). Using CBD-infused nail polishes allows you to enjoy cannabidiol’s numerous health benefits for the skin.
Summary
Nail polishes not only make your nails look gorgeous. These products also offer immense protective benefits. As a parting shot, remember only to apply nail polishes on clean, healthy skin. You can always consult your dermatologist before adding nail varnishes to your skincare routine.
