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What are the ingredients of UV gel nail polish?

Release time:

2026-04-16 07:22

What are the ingredients of UV gel nail polish?

As a nail polish product that forms a cured film through UV light exposure, the performance and user experience of UV gel polish are largely determined by its ingredient composition. Unlike traditional nail polishes, which rely on solvent evaporation for drying, UV gel polish employs a solvent-free formulation in which all ingredients either participate in the curing reaction or become integral components of the cured film. Understanding the ingredient makeup of gel polish helps clarify the product’s curing mechanism, performance characteristics, and the quality differences among various formulations. This article provides a categorized overview of the primary ingredients in UV gel polish.

I. Resin System

Resin is the core film-forming component of UV gel polish, determining the coating’s fundamental properties, including hardness, flexibility, adhesion, gloss, and chemical resistance.

Polyurethane acrylates are a commonly used resin type in gel nail polishes, offering excellent flexibility and adhesion. This allows the coating to deform with the natural curvature of the nail, reducing the likelihood of cracking. Pure acrylic resins, on the other hand, contribute hardness and wear resistance, resulting in a hard, smooth surface that can withstand everyday friction and impacts. In practical formulations, different types and functional groups of resins are typically blended to strike a balance between hardness and flexibility. The choice and dosage of resins directly influence the overall performance of the gel nail polish.

II. Reactive Diluents and Monomers

Reactive diluents in UV gel polishes serve to adjust viscosity while also participating in the curing reaction and becoming part of the polymer network. Unlike conventional solvents, reactive diluents do not volatilize during curing; instead, they are incorporated into the coating film through polymerization.

The choice and dosage of monomers influence the application performance, curing speed, and crosslinking density of gel polish coatings. Monofunctional monomers primarily serve as diluents, while polyfunctional monomers increase crosslinking density, thereby enhancing coating hardness and chemical resistance.

III. Photoinitiators

Photoinitiators are the key ingredients that enable gel nail polish to cure rapidly under UV light. Upon exposure to UV radiation, photoinitiators absorb specific wavelengths of light energy and undergo photodecomposition, generating free-radical species. These free radicals then react with the carbon–carbon double bonds in acrylate monomers or resins, initiating chain polymerization and transforming the liquid oligomers and monomers into a solid polymeric network within tens of seconds.

Different types of photoinitiators absorb ultraviolet light at different wavelengths, resulting in varying response efficiencies to UV lamps and LED lamps. In practical production, surface-drying photoinitiators are often formulated in combination with deep-curing photoinitiators to ensure complete curing of the coating from the surface to the interior, thereby preventing issues such as surface tackiness or incomplete internal cure.

IV. Additives

Although additives are used in small quantities in the formulation, they have a significant impact on the application performance and coating quality of the product.

Flow and leveling agents are used to enhance the flow and spreadability of coatings, ensuring that gel nail polish spreads evenly during application and eliminating brush marks and orange-peel defects. Defoaming agents reduce air bubbles generated during coating production and application, thereby preventing pinholes and bubble defects on the coated surface. Wetting agents improve the coating’s ability to wet the nail surface, enhancing adhesion. In addition, toughening agents may be added to improve flexibility, or polymerization inhibitors may be included to enhance storage stability.

V. Color Pastes and Pigments

Color pastes are used to impart color and constitute an essential component of gel polish products. Depending on the desired shade, either a single color paste or a blend of multiple color pastes may be employed. White gel polish requires the addition of white pigments such as titanium dioxide to achieve excellent opacity and whiteness, while colored gel polishes are formulated by incorporating the appropriate color pastes to meet specific color requirements.

The dispersion performance of color pastes directly affects the color uniformity and saturation of the coating. Poor dispersion can result in color differences, mottling, or insufficient hiding power. High-quality products use color pastes with fine particle size and excellent stability to ensure pure, uniform color.

The primer and topcoat are clear formulations, free of color pigments, to ensure excellent light transmission and optimal curing performance.

VI. Ingredient Differences Among Product Types

Different types of gel nail polish emphasize distinct ingredients. Base coats typically contain adhesion-promoting monomers to enhance bonding with the nail surface; color gels are primarily formulated with resins and pigments, balancing color intensity with coating performance; and topcoats place greater emphasis on leveling and gloss, usually employing highly transparent resin systems and incorporating appropriate additives to ensure a smooth, even finish.

Clear nail glue contains no color pigments and is primarily used for reinforcement or shaping; reinforcing glue typically exhibits high hardness and excellent abrasion resistance; removable nail glue has its crosslinking density carefully adjusted in the formulation to facilitate penetration and softening by nail polish remover.

VII. Conclusion

UV gel nail polish is primarily composed of five major components: a resin system, reactive diluents, photoinitiators, additives, and color pigments. The resin determines the hardness and flexibility of the coating; reactive diluents adjust viscosity and participate in the curing process; photoinitiators are essential for rapid curing; additives enhance application performance and surface quality; and color pigments provide the desired hue. Different product types place varying emphasis on these components: base coats prioritize adhesion, color gels balance color and performance, and topcoats focus on gloss and leveling. Understanding these ingredients and their functions helps explain the performance differences among various gel nail polish products, providing valuable guidance for product selection and application.

Disclaimer: The above content has been compiled from public sources for reference only; if any infringement occurs, please contact us and we will address it promptly.

Boxing Recommended Products – UV Gel Nail Polish
Base coat
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-02H	Phosphate ester acrylate monomer	Enhance adhesion to substrates such as metal, glass, and plastic.
B-2016	Polyester acrylate	High molecular weight, excellent flexibility, strong adhesion, and low heat release
B-2018	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good adhesion, good flexibility, and water resistance.
Colored tape
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-151DM	Modified epoxy acrylate	Low halogen, yellowing resistance, excellent plating performance, and strong adhesion.
B-162	Epoxy acrylate	Fast curing, low odor, high gloss, and high fullness.
B-166A	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility and strong adhesion
B-166A-85	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, contains 15% HEMA
B-166A-85P	Modified epoxy acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, contains 15% HEMA
B-27	Active amine photosensitizing promoter	Low color number, benzene-free, low odor, antioxidant and polymerization inhibitor
B-296	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, chemical resistance, yellowing resistance, and impact resistance.
Extended glue
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-210D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, low exotherm, and good toughness
T-2022D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Non-stick, low heat generation, strong adhesion, high hardness
Sealant glue
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-376	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	LED yellowing is minimal, and the nail polish formulation exhibits excellent stability.
B-412T-6	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good toughness, tin-free, and excellent stability of the nail polish formulation.
Matte Sealing Layer
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-328M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant hand feel.
B-328R	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low gloss, excellent matting, good wetting, and a fine, smooth, and silky hand feel.
B-329D	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Low irritation, low viscosity, excellent wettability, and a pleasant feel.
One-step adhesive
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-315	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Wear and chemical resistance, high hardness, toughness, and yellowing resistance.
A-grade film
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
B-113	Bisphenol A epoxy acrylate	High hardness, high gloss, high fullness, containing 20% TPGDA.
B-216	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high fullness, and excellent toughness
B-268M	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Good flexibility, excellent adhesion, excellent plating performance, and strong hiding power.
B-619W	Aliphatic polyurethane acrylate	Fast curing, high hardness, good toughness, wear resistance, and chemical resistance.
Single Product Recommendation
Product Model/English Abbreviation	Product Name/Product Type	Product Features
BM1211 (HPMA)	Hydroxypropyl methacrylate	HEMA-free, high strength, low irritation, high adhesion

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