I am confused by the term hybrid polish or hybrid gel polish.

Are these regular polishes with nitrocellulose and some other ingredients or are they something different without the nitrocellulose?

e.g. from a well-known brand: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Polybutylene Terephthalate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Polyurethane-11, Polyurethane-33, Benzophenone-1, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Alumina, Dipentaerythrityl hexaacrylate, Polyacrylate-35, Bornanedione

Demystifying Hybrid Gel Polish: The Fusion of Durability and Ease

Thank you for reaching out to Nail Knowledge. I understand the confusion surrounding the term ‘hybrid polish’ or ‘hybrid gel polish’, and we are here to help clarify.

At its core, a hybrid polish or hybrid gel polish is designed to combine the best features of traditional nail polish with the durability and strength of gel polish. The term “hybrid” refers to this merging of qualities.

Regarding the ingredients you listed above, including nitrocellulose, these are typical of many nail polishes. Nitrocellulose has been a staple in regular nail polishes for a long time due to its film-forming properties. When you see it in a formula that’s labeled as a hybrid gel polish, it’s an indication that the product contains components of traditional polish.

The other ingredients you’ve listed, such as Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Butyl Acetate, and Ethyl Acetate, are common solvents and plasticizers used in both traditional and gel nail polishes. Some ingredients, like the various forms of acrylate, hint more towards the gel side of the spectrum, contributing to the durability and longer wear time that gel polishes are known for.

In essence, hybrid gel polishes aim to give you the ease of application and removal found in regular polishes, combined with the long-wearing attributes of gels.

Want to dive deeper into the fascinating world of UV gel polishes, hybrids, and the evolution of the nail industry? Check out our latest blog post for an in-depth look at the science behind these nail innovations.