Ever Wonder What’s Really in Your Nail Polish?

Whether you're into clean manis or bold nail art, you probably reach for your favorite polish without thinking twice. But have you ever wondered how nail polish actually works — and what’s inside?

Unlike skincare or makeup, nail polish must stay strong, resist chipping, and maintain shine for days — or weeks. To achieve that, it’s made with a carefully balanced formula of chemical components that serve very specific roles.

Let’s take a closer look.

Key Ingredients in Nail Polish (and What They Do)

1. Solvents

Solvents are the base of the formula. They help dissolve other ingredients, especially those that aren’t water-soluble, so everything blends into a smooth liquid.

Common examples:

• Butyl acetate

• Ethyl acetate

• Alcohol

Avoid this:
Toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde are still found in some mainstream polishes — but they’re linked to health risks and are banned or restricted in many regions. (More on that in our 10-Free series.)

2. Film Formers

These form the smooth outer layer of the polish after it dries. The most widely used is nitrocellulose, which creates a hard, shiny shell over your nails.

3. Resins

Resins are what help your polish stick to your nails. They also reinforce the film and add gloss.

Many conventional polishes use formaldehyde resin or ethyl tosylamide, which can pose health risks.

We use safer alternatives that deliver adhesion and shine — without the side effects.

4. Plasticizers

These keep the polish flexible after it dries. Without plasticizers, the film would crack or peel with the slightest movement.

5. Pearls & Pigments

These give polish its color and visual texture.

• Pigments create the base color

• Pearlescent additives or shimmer particles add dimension or sparkle

From soft nude cremes to color-shifting holographics, these ingredients are what make your nails pop.

6. Other Additives

To improve texture, performance, and benefits, polish formulas often include:

• Thickening agents – to balance consistency and prevent separation

• UV filters – to prevent fading or yellowing in sunlight

• Strengthening ingredients – this is where we go beyond surface-level beauty

Our Formula Includes:

• Hexanal – a clinically studied ingredient that hardens and strengthens the nail plate over time

• Red Seaweed Extract – rich in minerals like magnesium and calcium, it helps remineralize weak nails and support healthy growth

Together, these ingredients help reduce brittle, cracking, or peeling nails — a common issue made worse by harsh polishes or acetone removers.

Smarter Polish for Stronger Nails

You now know that nail polish is more than just pretty color. It’s a blend of ingredients that interact with your nails and skin — for better or worse.

That’s why every bottle of Colorly Cosmetics polish is:
✅ 10-Free
✅ Plant-based
✅ Strengthening
✅ Vegan and cruelty-free
✅ Designed to protect against peeling, breaking, and dryness

Ready for Better Nails?

Want a formula that does more than look good? Try our 10-free, strengthening polishes — beautiful on the outside, safer on the inside.

Paint wisely. Stay strong.
– Your Colorly Cosmetics Team