10 ingredients in your beauty products & their uses
By Callie Iley | 25 September 2023 | Feature, Products & Treatments
Explore 10 common ingredients found in nailcare products & their functions…
Allantoin
Ideal for treating cracked and damaged skin, allantoin supports the healing process and has gentle exfoliating properties. It is used to soften and moisturise cuticles and encourages nail growth.
Jessica Nourish Therapeutic Cuticle Formula, www.gerrardinternational.com
This conditioning cuticle cream helps to soften both the cuticle and its surrounding skin, utilising allantoin for its healing properties.
“Nourish has been formulated with a cuticle-loving blend of antioxidant vitamins and healing agents, as well
as zinc to keep nails soft and healthy,” shares Samantha Kendrew, head of education at Gerrard International. “The rich formula absorbs efficiently into the skin, helping to prevent cracking, splitting and hangnails.”
Almond oil
Almond oil is noted by the Nail Knowledge education platform as one of the only oils with the ability to penetrate the nail plate and its coatings. Packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B and E, Omega 5 and 9 and fatty acids, almond oil promotes healthy nail growth while working to combat dry nails and skin.
Lucy Price, Scratch Stars Natural Nail Specialist of the Year 2023, explains: “When looking for specific ingredients in hand and nail products, I look for ingredients with long, thin molecules, including almond oil, that absorb into both the skin and nail plate.”
Nailchemy Elixir Nail & Cuticle Oil in Coconut www.nailchemy.co.uk
This formula includes almond and peach oils to moisturise the nails and skin, preventing splitting and brittleness while decreasing inflammation and redness.
Avocado oil
Similar to almond oil, avocado oil has a molecular structure that can penetrate the nail plate and its coatings. It contains vitamin E and keratin-boosting potassium to strengthen the nails, and it promotes healthy growth, fighting brittle and dry nails.
Ifra Siddique, compliance director at The GelBottle Inc, comments: “Avocado oil is packed with fatty acids and vitamins A, D and E, as well as potassium and lecithin, which moisturise the skin. The Peacci Peach ManiPedi Scrub also contains ground coconut and sugar: exfoliators that are excellent at removing dead skin cells and increasing blood circulation. The sugar also preserves moisture.”
Peacci Peach ManiPedi Scrub, www.thegelbottle.com
Soften and soothe the skin with the Peacci Peach ManiPedi Scrub, containing avocado oil, peach kernel oil and castor oil. The non- drip formula also features naturally exfoliating coconut shell and sugar.
Eucalyptus oil
A natural antifungal and antiseptic, eucalyptus oil cleanses and soothes, offering a refreshing scent and hydrating finish.
Rosie Briggs, CNDTM nail artist & marketing executive at Sweet Squared, says: “This prebiotic, complex-enriched and cleansing foot soak hydrates and softens dry, rough skin, reduces foot odour and alleviates discomfort from swollen feet. It’s deal for pampering and relaxing clients, and is particularly beneficial for clients that play sports or are on their feet all day due to work or hobbies.”
CND Pro Skincare Mineral Bath, www.sweetsquared.com
Containing cleansing and deodorising eucalyptus oil, the CNDTM Pro Skincare Mineral Bath offers a moisturising, softening and relieving solution for dry, swollen feet.
Aloe vera
With soothing, anti-inflammatory properties, hydrating aloe vera helps to calm and moisturise irritated skin.
Footlogix Cuticle Conditioner www.louellabelle.co.uk
The powers of aloe vera, vitamin E and sunflower seed oil are utilised in the Footlogix Cuticle Conditioner to soften, soothe and protect cuticles and dry skin. With a specific formula for cuticles at the toes, the product is also safe for diabetics and sensitive skin.
Glycerin
Glycerin allows the skin to retain moisture, aiding its softness and making it a valuable ingredient in skin and handcare products.
LCN Orange Vitamin Nail Shot www.lcnuk.co.uk
The LCN Orange Vitamin Nail Shot uses glycerin to moisturise cuticles and dry, cracked and itchy skin, aiding the skin’s smoothness and elasticity. With the additin of olive oil fermented complex, vitamin E, D-Panthenol and pure sweet almond oil, this product offers gentle yet moisturising properties, finished with a refreshing orange scent.
Essential oils
There are many essential oils, each boasting their own benefits. Nail Knowledge notes the following four, which are commonly found in hand, foot and nailcare products.
- Tea tree essential oil – natural anti-fungal, deodorising & healing properties for hands, feet and nails. Do not apply undiluted tea tree essential oil directly to the skin.
- Lavender essential oil – relaxing scent, soothing and healing for sore skin. Avoid if pregnant.
- Clove essential oil – antiseptic properties, calming for skin and warts.
- Lemon essential oil – uplifting scent, antiseptic properties, skin toning and brightening for nails.
Famous Names Dadi’Oil www.louellabelle.co.uk
Containing over 20 naturally derived essential oils, Famous Names Dadi’Oil moisturises the cuticle and its surrounding skin to treat weak and brittle nails.
Grapeseed oil
Lightweight and non-greasy, grapeseed oil is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and is effective in hydrating and moisturising the skin.
OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil www.opiuk.com
Containing grapeseed oil, avocado lipid complex, cupuaçu butter, white tea extract kukui nut oil and sunflower oil, OPI ProSpa Nail & Cuticle Oil moisturises, replenishes and strengthens the nail, cuticle and surrounding skin with its fast-absorbing formula.
Jojoba oil
Packed with vitamins B and E, jojoba oil improves nail strength and health, while hydrating. With molecules of a similar size to the skin’s natural oils, it easily penetrates the nail plate.
Lyco’pedi Massage Lotion www.lyconuk.com
Ideal for a foot and leg massage, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E, sweet almond oil and jojoba oil work in harmony in this lotion to effortlessly hydrate and smooth dry skin. Lemon tea-tree and peppermint essential oils refresh and fight odours while marine collagen aids hydration.
Vitamins
Vitamins A, B, D, and E help maintain healthy nails, providing strength and hydration. They have the following uses:
- Vitamin A – hydrating properties ideal for thin, cracked nails.
- Vitamin B – supports strong, healthy nail growth.
- Vitamin D – prevents peeling and chipping.
- Vitamin E – repairs and replenishes.
Gelish Nourish Cuticle Oil www.gsgroupuk.com / www.gelishmorgantaylor.co.uk / www.salon-services.com
Gelish Nourish Cuticle Oil uses vitamin E alongside grapeseed oil, kukui nut oil and sesame to hydrate and soothe.