Gitti Sheen Nail Polish

Important Note on Nail Polish

Nail polish is one category in which formulas rely on solvents and film-formers to function. What I focus on is choosing options that offer full ingredient transparency, remove the most concerning ingredients, such as formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene, and use updated formulas with alternative plasticizers while still applying well and lasting.

What I Avoid in Nail Polish

  • Formaldehyde + formaldehyde resins (used for hardness and durability)

  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (plasticizer linked to hormone disruption)

  • Toluene (a solvent that can impact the nervous system)

  • Benzene contamination in lower-quality solvent systems

  • Quaternium-15 and other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea)

Product Description

Gitti No. 114 Pink Sheen is a soft, semi-sheer pink with a subtle shimmer that gives the nails a clean, natural look with a light reflective finish.

The formula uses ethyl acetate and butyl acetate to help the polish apply smoothly and dry evenly, along with nitrocellulose to form that classic nail polish layer on the nail. Copolymers and plasticizers like adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer, acetyl tributyl citrate, and triethyl citrate help improve flexibility and reduce chipping.

This formula also includes sunflower seed oil and tocopherol (vitamin E), which can help offset some of the dryness typically associated with nail polish use. Supporting ingredients such as stearalkonium bentonite and silica help with texture and consistency, while dipropylene glycol dibenzoate serves as an additional plasticizer.

Color is created using a combination of titanium dioxide, iron oxides, ultramarines, and Red 6 Lake, with aluminum hydroxide and triethoxycaprylylsilane used to stabilize pigments.

Ingredients

Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Triethyl Citrate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Dilauryl Thiodipropionate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Titanium Dioxide, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Phosphoric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Iron Oxides, Water, Ultramarines, Red 6 Lake, Citric Acid, Methicone, Talc

What I Like

  • Does not include formaldehyde, DBP, or toluene

  • The full ingredient list is disclosed

  • Includes sunflower oil and vitamin E for a more balanced formula

  • Sheer finish makes it easy to apply and maintain

  • A more updated formula compared to traditional nail polishes

Things to Keep in Mind

This formula still relies on standard nail polish solvents like ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, which are necessary for application and drying, though they remain solvents. It also contains synthetic film-formers such as acrylates copolymer and methicone, along with color additives like Red 6 Lake and ultramarines. This falls into a lower-toxic option within a category that still depends on conventional ingredients to perform well.