Essie strong start
Essie essie strong start lists 9 ingredients on its label, 9 decoded. See what each one does, its irritancy and comedogenic tendency, and its status in national inventories.
Ingredients overview
Label order. Colour is our internal rating: green routine, yellow restricted or worth a look, red prohibited or high-risk, grey not yet decoded.
Ingredients are listed in label order; the order reflects the label only, not exact concentrations.
Highlights
Free of parabensFree of siliconesFree of sulfatesFree of mineral oilFree of essential oilsFree of formaldehyde releasersContains alcoholContains fragrance
Formulation view Solvent-based system with butyl/ethyl acetates and nitrocellulose. Includes esters and dimethyl sulfoxide as solvents. Biotin is present as a trace additive. Factory note: Topical biotin has limited direct keratin effects; strict control on DMSO odor and residue is needed, suitable for strong nail support scenarios.
Key ingredients
- FRAGRANCE
- Butyl AcetateAcetyl Tributyl Citrate
- SOLVENT
- Ethyl AcetateDimethyl Sulfone
- FILM FORMING
- Phthalic Anhydride/Glycerin/Glycidyl Decanoate CopolymerNitrocelluloseAdipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
- ANTIFOAMING
- Isopropyl Alcohol
Other ingredients
Skim through
| Ingredient | What it does | Irr. · Com. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butyl Acetate | FRAGRANCE, SOLVENT | 1 · – | Green |
| Ethyl Acetate | SOLVENT, PERFUMING | 2 · 0 | Green |
| Phthalic Anhydride/Glycerin/Glycidyl Decanoate Copolymer | FILM FORMING, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Nitrocellulose | FILM FORMING, DISPERSING NON-SURFACTANT | 0 · – | Green |
| Isopropyl Alcohol | ANTIFOAMING, SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING, PERFUMING | 3 · 0 | Green |
| Acetyl Tributyl Citrate | FRAGRANCE, PLASTICISER, PERFUMING | 0 · 0 | Green |
| Dimethyl Sulfone | SOLVENT, VISCOSITY CONTROLLING | 1 · 0 | Green |
| Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer | FILM FORMING | — | Green |
| Biotin | HAIR CONDITIONING, SKIN CONDITIONING - MISCELLANEOUS | — | Green |
Ingredients explained
- Butyl Acetate
- Volatile solvent and fragrance; has distinct odor, used as diluent, high levels can irritate nasal passages.
- Ethyl Acetate
- Organic solvent/fragrance carrier, fast evaporation; ventilation needed during production
- Phthalic Anhydride/Glycerin/Glycidyl Decanoate Copolymer
- Polyester film-former/thickener, 1-3% typical; pairs with silicones/oils, decanoate ester, watch occlusion on sensitive skin
- Nitrocellulose
- Film former for nail/gel products; insoluble in water, requires organic solvents, flammable.
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol solvent at 1–10%; fast-evaporating, high levels may cause dryness/irritation
- Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
- Acetylated citrate ester; plasticizer and fragrance carrier
- Dimethyl Sulfone
- Dimethyl sulfoxide, strong penetrant and solvent; volatile odor, concentration control needed
- Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer
- Polyol acid anhydride copolymer film former; adjust load for durability and feel.
- Biotin
- Vitamin B7 nutrient claimant; topical effect limited, use at 1-20 ppm.
Source: full ingredient list published on the product label, collected 2026-09-17. Ratings are our internal reading, not a regulatory conclusion. · Product page
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