Determining Solubility of Nail Varnishes via HSP

Nail varnish is a solvent-borne system and traditionally is made of approximately:

 

• 66-83% Solvents (e.g. Ethyl Acetate)
• 15-18% Binder & Film Formers (e.g. Nitrocellulose)
•  
• 2-5% Pigment (e.g. Bismuth oxychloride and mica coated with titanium dioxide)

When the solvent evaporates, the solids are left behind in a strong film on the nails. They are used for aesthetic purposes, to protect the nails or to deliver active ingredients to the nail.

To remove nail varnish, organic solvents are applied directly to the coating with some mechanical assistance, which is often achieved by immersion or by wrapping the fingertips in solvent-soaked cotton wool.