Can vegan gel nail polish last as long as traditional gel polish?

Once one has had a glance at the racks with clean nail polishes or looked through the salon menus while selecting manicure procedures, one cannot fail to notice another formula for nail polish named vegan gel polish. With the growing concern regarding such factors as transparency, cruelty-free and eco-friendly approach to life, vegan gel polish has surely become trendy nowadays. However, there is one problem that stays relevant for all those involved with manicure procedures do we know for sure that vegan gel polish has the same resistance to wear and tear as regular gel polish? The opinion that clean polishes contain much less resistant and effective materials than usual polishes is widespread.

What Is the Major Distinction between Vegan Gel Polish and Traditional Gel Polish?

Before diving into the discussion on wear, we need to clarify the difference in the basic components used in these two types of polishes—the main secret of their wearing qualities. To begin with, what does “vegan” mean in the nail treatment market? Simply put, smalto gel vegano has no animal products whatsoever. Vegan polish is formulated with mineral waxes, natural and bio-resins, and safe synthetic pigments.

In contrast, regular gel polish has some components derived from animals. These include beeswax that helps improve the texture, carmine which is used because of its color pigment, guanine that is responsible for the shiny effect, and animal keratin which improves the adherence of the product. It must also be noted that both vegan and regular gel polishes use acrylic polymer and monomer as their key ingredients, and both of them require UV/LED light exposure for forming a strong coating on nails. Cruelty-free is when there is no animal testing, and vegan is when there are no animals in the ingredients list.

Vegan Gel Polish VS Traditional Gel Polish

1. Durability of Traditional Gel Polish

The formula of traditional gel polish consists of highly pure acrylate resins. After it is cured using UV or LED lamps, it becomes firmly linked into a strong three-dimensional molecule capable of withstanding high levels of abrasion and scratches. In terms of regular use and having professional application done along with ordinary day-to-day actions, traditional gel polish can stay on the nails for up to 2 to 4 weeks without peeling or chipping.

Durability of Vegan Gel Polish

There is a lot of misinformation about vegan gel polish regarding its longevity. In fact, how long it lasts depends greatly on the formulations used and methods of manufacture. High-end vegan gel polish uses natural resins instead of harmful chemical ones for creating polish. By perfecting its curing process and adjusting its formulations, such vegan gel polish provides great adhesion and durability. If used by professionals with full curing and minimum exposure to wear, top-grade vegan gel polish can last 20 days or even more. Scientifically proven, high-end vegan gel polish guarantees a chip-free wear of 21 days that keeps up with mid-range conventional gel polish.

However, vegan gel polish still suffers from certain disadvantages that come with the product by default. As a result of specific properties of plant resins, the polish cannot withstand adverse effects as well as traditional gel polish that uses acrylate compounds. Regular contact with water, household chemicals, as well as mechanical action might cause such problems as lifting edges, surface wear, and fading of the paint. In short, traditional gel polish is more durable, while vegan polish demonstrates little or no difference in its qualities for light-duty use.

Why Do Salons Favor Vegan Gel Polish?

Apart from being more durable than other polish types, vegan gel polish is becoming a trend among salons for reasons other than that as well. Firstly, the current trend toward clean beauty products is making consumers conscious about the ingredient list in the products.

Second, vegan gel polish offers much safer ingredients. Virtually all decent vegan gel polish products omit the toxic trifecta of toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP. Premium vegan gel nail polishes such as Chromeclair are free from harmful HEMA and TPO ingredients, thus reducing the chance of irritating one’s skin or causing contact dermatitis significantly. Scientific research has proven that using vegan gel polish formulas free from HEMA reduces the chances of allergies by 68%, which is ideal for individuals with delicate skin and weak nails.

Top Reliable Vegan Gel Polish Brands Worth Trying

Going for the right brand is the simplest way to ensure longevity in your vegan manicure. Here are some trusted names that have proven to provide stable wear and dependable formulations, which make perfect choices for both individual use and salon application:

• Madam Glam: Famous for its colorful range of polishes, along with their durability, their vegan gel polish has a glossy finish that will definitely amaze you.
• Zoya: This nail polish company introduced toxin-free nails and is known for the excellence of its vegan nail polishes which are extremely appreciated by many nail professionals.

• Ella+Mila: An American company which manufactures its vegan nail polishes with amazing pigmentation and longevity.

• Chromeclair: It is one of the few vegan nail products that is perfectly safe to use because it is hypoallergenic and free from HEMA and TPO.

Effective Ways to Increase The Lifespan of Vegan Gel Polish

A few basic steps can help you to enhance the lifespan of your vegan gel polish and reduce its small lifespan disparity compared to the non-vegan version. Here are four effective maintenance tips to try:

1. Stay hydrated: You need to use cuticle oil frequently so that the nails remain hydrated and don’t become brittle or crack. This will keep your nails protected, and thus the vegan polish will not get damaged.
2. Keep the nails protected from damage: You should wear gloves whenever you are doing chores at home or gardening, so that your nails can remain safe.
3. Be careful about the chemicals: Do not use nail polish remover that has high amounts of acetone, but should pick up a vegan product.
4. Leave it for experts: Professional nail salons follow a set procedure for applying nail polish, and thus they will be able to keep the polish edges intact.

Which One Should You Choose?

As such, can vegan gel polish last just as long as normal gel polish? Of course, it does. The premium vegan gel polish ensures a lifespan of 20 to 21 days of wearing time. This period is equal to the longevity period of the normal gel polish. In any scenario where there is friction or any harmful substances that might affect the longevity of the nail, the normal gel polish beats its vegan alternative. However, in circumstances where there is a concern for skin safety and environmental aspects, vegan gel polish takes the lead.

It is no longer true that clean beauty equates to inefficiency. Vegan gel polish can create an excellent combination of all those aspects listed above. By choosing the appropriate brand and taking care of your nails properly, you will undoubtedly be rewarded with a beautiful manicure that will stay on for many weeks to come. It is absolutely not necessary to sacrifice anything while trying to look your best and help save the planet.