Around 18% of the content of a healthy nail is water. Water is essential for maintaining the structural integrity of nails; specifically, the bonds between the keratin fibres which make up the nail plate. Water is also the best carrier to deliver hydrophilic ingredients (including Tinexyl’s proprietary amino acid TXYL polymers) which are compatible with the nails’ hydrophilic gel membrane properties. Will the application of tiny volumes of a water-based product ‘encourage fungal growth’ because dermatophytes thrive in warm moist environments? No. Will tiny volumes of a water-based product applied just once-daily have the same impact as over-exposure of the nail plate to water which can weaken nails? No. The fundamentals of nail biology and microbiology make this very clear and small volumes of a water-based product will not saturate the water flux mechanism of the nail plate.
Tinexyl is water-based as it’s designed to work with the nail’s natural structure. It hydrates not only by being water-based, but in delivering moisturising ingredients. Tinexyl PRO conditions by allowing our TXYL polymers and other conditioning agents to penetrate into the nail plate and improve structure and strength as well as appearance and texture. It’s unique in this regard.
Most nail products (those with antifungal claims) are high in organic solvent content. ‘Organic’ isn’t a reference to their provenance or green credentials but defines these chemical solutions as containing carbon-based compounds that are capable of breaking apart solute particles and therefore solubilising compounds that won’t otherwise go into a solution or suspension (which is the case with antifungals). Examples of organic solvents include alcohols, phenols, ketones etc. Organic solvents are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because they can form vapours at room temperature. If you leave the cap off a bottle of ethanol, acetone or phenol you’ll know it’s vaporising because of the smell…
The unfortunate irony of many nail products and certainly all topical antifungals is that because of their VOC content, they are not actually nail or skin friendly. The organic solvents they are based on are however, required for the antifungals to be solubilised for application in lacquer form to the nail. These chemicals dehydrate the nail and can worsen its overall condition. They can also irritate the skin as does ethanol or isopropyl alcohol when used in cleansing products, phenol, acetone etc. etc.
Did you know that essential oils are not actually oils at oil? They are also VOCs. These plant-derived organic compounds are therefore also not nail or skin friendly and can be equally dehydrating and irritant as the solvents in products containing synthetic antifungal compounds. These concentrated plant extracts are complex mixtures of as many as 100+ VOCs including phenols, ketones, terpinols etc. which like oils, don't mix with water. Hence the (incorrect) ‘oil’ terminology. The 'essential' part of their name is derived from the word 'essence' and refers to the pungent fragrance these extracts possess. Tea tree, lavender, menthol, oregano, geranium and other essential oils, all have very characteristic aromas. Essential oils are derived from natural sources but are extracted from plants by synthetic processes. The finished products they end up in are not in fact, natural, and often contain additional synthetic solvents. In nature, the VOCs within essential oils are designed to fend off predators and microbes to protect plants. They are toxic substances. At very high concentrations relative to what can feasibly be applied to the nail, essential oils have been shown in a limited number of lab tests to possess some antifungal and antibacterial properties (replicating their biological function in nature), hence their use in products with ‘antimicrobial’ claims, including some products for nails. No appropriately controlled, clinical trial has ever demonstrated efficacy of essential oils in nail health in general or onychomycosis. Essential oils are also toxic to human cells at antimicrobial concentrations (as any VOC would be!). The concentrations of essential oils which are safe to use and applied in topical nail products, generally for antifungal use, will only be sub-inhibitory to fungi at best. In other words, not present at high enough levels to kill fungi or inhibit their spread. They also won’t improve the condition or hydration status of nails – quite the opposite. They may provide some temporary surface sterilisation to the nail plate (as other VOCs would), but at the same time cause irritation to the surrounding skin. Always be mindful of the chemistry of essential oils. They might be plant-derived but are still only mixtures of volatile organic compounds…….
Tinexyl PRO allows for a different approach to nail health. It is highly effective in restoring healthier looking and feeling toenails. Nails that will be stronger and more resilient. At the same time, it’s unique hydrating and conditioning water-based formulation is gentle and contains no VOCs, parabens, perfume, colour, preservatives or urea.