Kelly and Dixiemedic have the same problem: Kelly has acrylic nails and every time she applies Coppertone Waterbabies sunscreen to her daughters, it ruins her manicure. Dixie says sunscreen makes her nails all sticky but she`s not sure if it`s the topcoat or the nail itself that`s messed up. They both want a sunscreen that won`t mess with their nails. The Right Brain tries to help:
Are Sunscreens Bad for Nail Polish?
We`re surprised more people haven`t asked about this; in fact, we`re surprised this isn`t all over the internet! Why? Because it`s TRUE that sunscreens can soften or dissolve acrylic nails or nail polish. As we`ve said before, sunscreen ingredients can be tough to dissolve (by the way, if you haven`t read our post on 3 Ways to Tell if Your Sunscreen is Bad, this might be a good time to do so).
Anyway, it just so happens that some of the ingredients used to dissolve the sunscreen agents also dissolve the kinds of acrylic chemicals used in nail polishes and fake nails. In fact, some of these dissolving agents (or emulsifiers, as we chemists like to refer to them) are used in acetone free nail polish removers!
For example, if you look at Cutex`s Acetone Free polish remover, you`ll see that it contains dimethyl adipate which is very similar to “dibutyl adipate,” a common emulslifier used in sunscreens. So it’s not surprising that you’re seeing a problem with your sunscreen making your nail polish sticky! And, this problem is only likely to get worse because as new high SPF, broad spectrum sunscreens become increasingly popular, cosmetic formulators will have to add more dissolving agents to the product to keep the active ingredients dispersed.
Unfortunately, we can’t just tell you which sunscreens will cause the problem and which won’t. We’d have to test each sunscreen with each type of nail polish before we’d know for sure. That’s not very practical for us do to, but we can give you a tip for testing your favorite products:
How To Tell if Your Sunscreen Will Ruin Your Manicure
Smear a little of your favorite nail polish on a piece of glass (you can use an empty nail polish bottle or even a old compact mirror. Then, take that with you when you`re shopping for a sunscreen. Squeeze a little of the sunscreen product onto your polish smear and see if it softens the film. That should be a pretty good predictor if it will be ok when you actually apply it with your manicured fingers.
Kelly, try this experiment with your Waterbabies product and see if it helps! Let us know how it works out. And as always, thanks for being part of the Beauty Brains community!
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Thank you, Beauty Brains, for the excellent tip on how to test sunscreens on nail polishes. I never would have thought of such a simple way to do so on my own.
You guys are not only amazing chemists, you’re also pretty clever!!!
Karen,
You make us blush! But seriously, helping people like you is what keeps us writing this blog everyday.
I just had the same problem today with putting sunscreen on my kids! I have acrylic nails, which I love, and have never had a problem with them before. I don’t remember this happening when I put Sally Hansen nail polish on them a couple of weeks ago, but I just got a new set last week and now they are sticky! Does anyone know how to “fix” it?? I shouldn’t have to get a fill for about 2 more weeks, but they’re collecting fuzz and things now because they’re sticky!
The only suggestion is that you reapply a clear coat.
Now, if your sunscreen has gone bad, you can save it and use it as nail polish remover. Recycling!
Thank you for the info — that is very interesting. However, I am curious if sunscreen can damage your nail polish what is it doing to your skin?
what is the best way to remove acrylic nails fast and painlessly…and if there is a way to do so without harming you accual nails
Oh my gosh! I stumbled across this article, and you know what? I just discovered this past weekend that the Coppertone sports spray ruins topcoat! I’d never heard of that until it happened to me!
Coppertone Oil Free Faces totally destroys my acrylic nails!! Thank you for the article… even though it doesn’t help me. I’m not going to ask the nail tech to paint some polish on a piece of glass next time I go, that’s a bit weird…
I just use Neutrogena sunscreen in an aerosol can. It is easy to control and spray on others (husband and kids) and it doesn’t hurt my manicure. I have my husband apply the sunscreen with his hands to my hands and anyhwere close so I don’t get overspray.
I found this post after a new manicure was ruined by Lubriderm hand lotion. Realized it was the sunscreen in the lotion, not the lotion itself. Thank you!
I just applied sunscreen to my daughter this morning and I had the same problem. I’m able to wash the sunscree off but now my nails are sticky and collecting lint too! I’m going to try applying a clear coat and hope that helps! Why don’t they warn you about this!
~annoyed!
Anyone have a successful combo to share?!
Surely we can find a way to have beautifully polished nails and no sunburns
I have also had the same problem. The only solution is have your manicurist put the UV gel on top of your acrylics. Works teriffic, the UV gel cannot be dissolved by fingernail polish remover and sunscreen wont harm it at all. Hope this helps!
It is a nice opportunity to read this post. I’ve learned a lot from it. I will now go to bed more intelligent.
HI,
what is the best way to remove acrylic nails fast and painlessly…and if there is a way to do so without harming you accual nails
Thanks for sharing your tips
I know just what you guys are talking about when applying sunscreen it ruins your manicures…. also bug spray does the same thing…. I switched to gel nails and can apply ANYTHING now! I love ‘em. And contrary to a lot of people’s beliefs, they are super strong. I play volleyball, softball, water ski, and pile wood along with tons of other stuff. Been wearing them for years… and they are easier on your natural nail bed too.
I recently got acrylic nails and use a moisturiser with a sunscreen base. Now ive got a sticky base-if I buff and put a clear top coat on my nails will they be ok? I don’t want to pay to get them fixed
Most of the ingredients used in nail products are not tested for safety by the Food and Drug Administration. In fact, some of the acrylics used with gels can be associated with fingernail damage and deformity.
I got my nails done yesterday for the first time since my wedding. I have an important conference this weekend and wanted to look my best. Tday was beautiful so I took the kids to the park. I applied Banana Boat Kids Sport to them. Within seconds I had fizz and hair and dirt all over my sticky nails. And it’s deep – it didn’t just take off the clearcoat, it also took off the airbrushed french tips and some of the acrylic. I can’t wash them clean because the fuzz and stuff is now permanently part of them (they look so dirty and gross) so rather than reapplying my own clearcoat I now have to go back to the nail place and pay them to fix it!
My biggest concern with this is that I’m putting chemicals on my childrens’ skin that’s strong enough to eat through acrylic. That’s pretty harsh. What is it doing to them?!?
wow im so not wearing sunscreen anymore ill risk it…it not only ruins my acrylics but if it can do that its probably eating my skin too AHHH!
Has anyone found a fix for sticky linty acrylics?
I found this amazing sunscreen that is guaranteed safe on acrylic nails it’s by a co. called, Nailed Cosmetics.
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