Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Hardener Versus ORLY Nail Defense
Updated on May 11, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free nail care. They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain harsh alcohols, fragrances and silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Hardener 14 ingredients
ORLY Nail Defense 23 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Hardener 14 ingredients
ORLY Nail Defense 23 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Butyl Acetate
MaskingEthyl Acetate
Perfuming
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Nitrocellulose
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Alcohol Denat., Nitrocellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Triphenyl Phosphate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Etocrylene, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Diamond Powder, CI 60725
Ethyl Acetate
Perfuming
Butyl Acetate
MaskingAlcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Nitrocellulose
Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
Isopropyl Alcohol
Solvent
Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate
Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
Masking
Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate
Benzophenone-1
UV Absorber
Etocrylene
UV AbsorberEpoxidized Soybean Oil
Emollient
Polyvinyl Butyral
Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein
Skin ConditioningTocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
Masking
Melilotus Officinalis Extract
AstringentChamomilla Recutita Flower Extract
Masking
Equisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract
Skin ConditioningWater
Skin ConditioningDimethicone
Emollient
Calcium Pantothenate
CI 60725
Cosmetic ColorantEthyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Alcohol Denat., Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Benzophenone-1, Etocrylene, Epoxidized Soybean Oil, Polyvinyl Butyral, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Melilotus Officinalis Extract, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Equisetum Hyemale Leaf/Stem Extract, Water, Dimethicone, Calcium Pantothenate, CI 60725
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
We don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer yet.
Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol with other additives.
This ingredient gets a bad rep because it is irritating and drying - mostly due to its astringent property. Astringents draw out natural oils in tissue, constricting pores and leaving your skin dried out.
However, alcohol denat. is not all that bad.
Due to its low molecular weight, alcohol denat. tends to evaporate quickly. One study on pig skin found half of applied alcohol evaporated in 10 seconds and less than 3% stayed on skin.
This also helps other ingredients become better absorbed upon application.
Studies are conflicted about whether this ingredient causes skin dehydration. One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased skin dryness and irritation. Another study found irritation only occurs if your skin is already damaged.
Small amounts of alcohol are generally tolerated by oily skin or people who live in humid environments.
The rule of thumb is if this alcohol is near the end of an ingredients list, it will probably not affect your skin much.
Also...
This ingredient has antimicrobial and solvent properties.
The antimicrobial property helps preserve products and increase their shelf life. As a solvent, it helps dissolve other ingredients.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
Learn more about Alcohol Denat.We don't have a description for Butyl Acetate yet.
We don't have a description for CI 60725 yet.
Dimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconeEthyl Acetate is a fragrance.
We don't have a description for Etocrylene yet.
Isopropyl Alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is most commonly used as a solvent, meaning it helps other ingredients dissolve.
This ingredient is an astringent alcohol. Astringent alcohols may also irritate skin as they high amounts may strip away your skin's natural oils.
Other types of astringent alcohols include:
According to the National Rosacea Society based in the US, you should be mindful of products with these alcohols in the top half of ingredients.
Any type of sanitizing product will have high amounts of alcohol to help kill bacteria and viruses.
Learn more about Isopropyl AlcoholWe don't have a description for Nitrocellulose yet.
We don't have a description for Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate yet.
We don't have a description for Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate yet.
Ingredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
