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Essie Nail Lacquer Ingredients Explained

Color: Wicked
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Updated on May 12, 2024 Submitted by screamadelica

Overview

What it is

Nail care with 57 ingredients that contains AHA and exfoliants

Cool Features

It is vegan and fungal acne (malassezia) safe

Suited For

It has ingredients that are good for brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture

Free From

It doesn't contain any common allergens, oils, parabens or sulfates

Fun facts

Essie is from United Kingdom.

We independently verify ingredients and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Does this product need an update? Let us know.

You should know

Here's our breakdown of the notable ingredients, benefits, and concerns we determined from the ingredients in this product. Click any item to learn more.

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Exfoliators (5)

Benefits

Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Scar Healing
Brightening

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (4)
Eczema (4)

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

Ingredients Overview

Here's our quick-to-read summary of the ingredients in this product. Keep scrolling if you'd like to learn more about what each ingredient does!
Ingredient
Features
1
Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance Icon
2
Masking, Solvent
3
4
5
6
Solvent
0 / 0
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
7
Masking, Skin Conditioning
8
Gel Forming
9
10
11
12
Gel Forming
13
14
UV Absorber
Non-Reef-Safe Icon
15
Abrasive, Absorbent
Exfoliant IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
16
Cosmetic Colorant
17
Masking, Solvent
18
19
20
Buffering, Masking
AHA IconMay cause irritation IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconMay worsen Rosacea IconHelps brighten skin Icon
21
22
Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
Alcohol IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon
23
24
25
Abrasive, Absorbent
Exfoliant Icon
26
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
1 / 0
Silicon Icon
27
28
Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon
29
Abrasive
Exfoliant Icon
30
Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent
31
Perfuming, Solvent
Fragrance Icon
32
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
33
34
Abrasive, Absorbent, Skin Protecting
1 / 0
Exfoliant Icon
35
Solvent
0 / 0
36
Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
37
Cosmetic Colorant
38
Cosmetic Colorant
May worsen Eczema Icon
39
Cosmetic Colorant
40
Cosmetic Colorant
41
Cosmetic Colorant
42
Cosmetic Colorant
43
Cosmetic Colorant
44
Cosmetic Colorant
45
Cosmetic Colorant
46
Cosmetic Colorant
1 / 0
47
Cosmetic Colorant
48
Cosmetic Colorant
49
Cosmetic Colorant
50
Cosmetic Colorant
51
Cosmetic Colorant
52
Cosmetic Colorant
2 / 0
53
Cosmetic Colorant
3 / 0
54
Cosmetic Colorant
55
56
Cosmetic Colorant
57
Cosmetic Colorant
2 / 0

Ingredients Explained

This product contains 57 ingredients. Click on any ingredient to learn more about it
1
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent

Ethyl Acetate is a fragrance.

2
What it does: Masking, Solvent

We don't have a description for Butyl Acetate.

3
What it does:

We don't have a description for Nitrocellulose.

4

We don't have a description for Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin.

We don't have a description for Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate.

6
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Alcohol
7
What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning

We don't have a description for Tribenzoin.

8
What it does: Gel Forming

We don't have a description for Stearalkonium Hectorite.

We don't have a description for Acetylated Hydrogenated Castor Glyceride.

We don't have a description for Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer.

We don't have a description for Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate.

12
What it does: Gel Forming

We don't have a description for Stearalkonium Bentonite.

13
What it does:
Community Rating: Mixed

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is the synthethic version of mica. It consists of fluorine, aluminum and silicate.

Synthetic Fluorphlogopite is used to add volume to products.

It is considered non-irritating on the skin.

Learn more about Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
14
What it does: UV Absorber
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Benzophenone-1 is not reef safe.

15
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Disliked

Silica is a mineral naturally found in our skin. It helps to thicken and smooth the texture of a product. It also acts as an agent for other ingredients by increasing the absorption of other ingredients into the skin.

Silica is often used for absorption and can help reduce shine when products are applied. Silica occurs in naturally in materials like clay and sandstone, and it can also be produced synthetically.

Silica is present naturally within the skin during collagen production and when reducing inflammation.

Learn more about Silica
16
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 77120.

17
What it does: Masking, Solvent

We don't have a description for Diacetone Alcohol.

Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate is made up of calcium, aluminum, and silicates. It is a glass-like material. In cosmetics, it comes in the form of flakes or microspheres.

Calcium aluminum borosilicate is a bulking agent, meaning it helps thicken a product.

This ingredient is created by slowly mixing several minerals, including kaolin clay.

Learn more about Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate

We don't have a description for Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer.

20
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

We don't have a description for Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate.

22
What it does: Antimicrobial, Astringent, Masking, Solvent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alcohol Denat. is an alcohol with a denaturant property. It is created by mixing ethanol and other additives. It has a low molecular weight and will evaporate quickly. This helps other ingredients become better absorbed and dry once applied.

Alcohol Denat. is volatile and may cause irritation. It helps draw out natural oils in skin and dry out your skin.

One study from 2005 found adding emollients to propanol-based sanitizer decreased irritation.

Alcohol is antibacterial by nature. This can help preserve products and increase their shelf life.

Other types of astringent alcohols include:

Learn more about Alcohol Denat.

We don't have a description for Calcium Sodium Borosilicate.

24
What it does:

We don't have a description for Colophonium.

25
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Alumina is another name for the compound aluminum oxide. It is used as a thickener, absorbent, and abrasive.

As an absorbent, alumina can give a mattifying effect. It is used in mineral sunscreens to help coat nano-sized filters, such as titanium dioxide. By increasing the size of the UV filters, these ingredients stay on the skin for a longer time. By coating small sized ingredients, alumina helps thicken a product.

Alumina may be used as an abrasive, or exfoliant.

Alumina is naturally occurring in the mineral corundum. Certain varieties of corundum create rubies and sapphires. Corundum is also the crystalline form of alumina.

Learn more about Alumina
26
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Dimethicone is a silicone used for making products smooth and silky. It also has the added benefit of sealing in hydration. The amount of dimethicone found in beauty products is considered safe and non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Dimethicone has been found increase absorption in skin, boosting the benefits of other ingredients. While there is concern for the safety of dimethicone, the levels used in skincare are safe for use.

We don't have a description for Isophorone Diamine/Isophthalic Acid/Tromethamine Copolymer.

28
What it does: Abrasive
Community Rating: Disliked

Tin Oxide is an inorganic oxide used to add opacity and volume to a product. In nature, it is already found in mineral form. The main ore of tin is an opaque and shiny mineral called casseterite.

Tin Oxide helps remove translucency in a product, or make it more opaque. Besides adding opacity, tin oxide is used for bulking to add volume.

29
What it does: Abrasive

Calcium Titanium Borosilicate is an exfoliant.

30
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning, Solvent

We don't have a description for Diethylhexyl Adipate.

31
What it does: Perfuming, Solvent

N-Butyl Alcohol is a fragrance.

32
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
33
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane
34
What it does: Abrasive, Absorbent, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Talc is a clay mineral. It helps absorb moisture and improve the texture of products. Like other types of clay, Talc can have a slight exfoliating effect on skin. Talc can be added to increase the volume of products.

Some Baby powders are made by combining talc with corn starch. The word "talc" comes from Latin and originates from Arabic. Talc is a mineral commonly found throughout the world.

If you have any concerns about using talc, we recommend checking out the FDA's official page.

Learn more about Talc
35
What it does: Solvent

We don't have a description for Acetone.

36
What it does: Emollient, Humectant, Skin Protecting
Community Rating: Disliked

Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.

As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.

According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.

In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.

Learn more about Aluminum Hydroxide
37
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Disliked

Ci 77891 is a white pigment from Titanium dioxide. It is naturally found in minerals such as rutile and ilmenite.

It's main function is to add a white color to cosmetics. It can also be mixed with other colors to create different shades.

Ci 77891 is commonly found in sunscreens due to its ability to block UV rays.

Learn more about CI 77891
38
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Mica refers to a group of silicate minerals. Mica crystals are easily split to give products a shimmer. These crystals are able to reflect light to temporarily give your skin a glowy look.

Mica is found to be safe. Trace amounts of heavy metals may be found in mica, but these metals are not harmful in our personal products.

Mica has been used since prehistoric times throughout the world. Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Greek, Roman, Aztec, and Chinese civilizations have used mica.

Mica can be naturally found throughout the world. However, some sources of mica may be controversial. In 2016, mica mined in the Jharkhand state in India was found to be using child labor. However, companies are able to source ethical mica affiliated with international organizations that monitor the mica supply chain.

Learn more about Mica
39
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 19140 is also known as Tartrazine. Tartrazine is a synthetic dye used in cosmetics, foods, and medicine to add a yellow color.

Tartrazine is created from petroleum and is water-soluble.

Some people may experience allergies from this dye, especially asthmatics and those with an aspirin intolerance.

Learn more about CI 19140
40
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77491 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a red/pink hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77491 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77491
41
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77492 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It's sole purpose is to give a yellow hue to products.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

Synthetically created Ci 77492 is considered safer than those naturally found. This is because the synthetically created version may contain less impurities. Iron oxides are generally non-toxic and non-allergenic.

Learn more about CI 77492
42
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Mixed

Ci 77499 is also hydrated iron III oxide. It is created from mixing red and black iron oxides. This helps give shades of darkness to a product.

Iron III oxides are classified as inorganic chemicals for coloring.

43
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 77510.

44
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

This pigment is called Ultramarine blue lazurite. It gives a saturated blue color, but can be used to create other colors as well.

According to the manufacturer, it is usually made from kaolin, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sulfur, and charcoal.

45
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 77000.

46
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ci 15850 is the pigment color red. It is an azo dye and created synthetically.

Azo dyes need to be thoroughly purified before use. This allows them to be more stable and longer-lasting.

This ingredient is common in foundations, lipsticks, and blushes. This color is described as brown/orangey red.

It has many secondary names such as Red 6 and Red 7. According to a manufacturer, Red 6 usually contains aluminum.

Learn more about CI 15850
47
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 15880.

48
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 77267.

49
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 42090 is a synthetic dye created from petroleum. It is used to give a bright blue color to cosmetics, medicine, and food.

50
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

This ingredient is used to add a violet color to cosmetics.

It is created by reacting phosphoric acid, ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate, and manganese dioxide.

51
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 77288 is used to add green pigment to products.

52
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Ci 45410 is a synthetic red-pigment and dye. It is a flourescein dye and commonly used as a fluorescent tracer in medicine.

53
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 73360 is a synthetic red-pink dye.

54
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 60730.

55
What it does:

We don't have a description for Basic Violet 2.

56
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

We don't have a description for Ci 60725.

57
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant

Ci 45380 is a synthetic dye that comes from coal or tar sources. It gives products a reddish color.

Embed Ingredients

Here's what our community thinks of the 57 ingredients in this product ✨

2% are loved or liked
7% have mixed ratings
26% are disliked or very disliked
65% have no rating yet
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