Manicure and pedicure products are designed to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize hands and feet. They may contain a large variety of ingredients, and many products have multiple functions and may fall into more than one category. Some of the common categories of manicure and pedicure products are as follows:
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Soaks: These are designed to cleanse and soften skin and nails in preparation for the rest of the manicure or pedicure service. Soaks may be sold as liquid concentrates or as crystals, both of which are added to water to make the soak solution. Some products also contain minerals, honey, and a variety of herbal extracts and oils to condition the skin.
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Exfoliants: These products are used to remove dead skin cells and calluses. Pedicure exfoliants tend to be a bit stronger as feet tend to have thicker, tougher calluses. Some pedicure exfoliants use a high pH (alkaline) rather than low pH (acidic) to achieve exfoliation; either will work to soften calluses. Scrubs achieve the same exfoliation goal with mechanical abrasives such as sugar crystals, salt, pumice, polymer beads, or finely ground nutshells. Sugar and salt crystals are broken down by water and some alcohols, so these products are often oil-based, with added surfactants to enable the oil to wash off on contact with water.
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Nail polish and nail care: These products are used to color and protect the nails. They may contain a variety of ingredients, including solvents, resins, plasticizers, and pigments. Some nail care products are designed to strengthen and protect the nails.
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Hand and foot creams: These products are used to moisturize and soften the skin. They may contain a variety of ingredients, including emollients, humectants, and occlusives.
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Tools and accessories: These include items such as nail clippers, files, buffers, and cuticle pushers. They may be made from a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and wood.
Some popular brands of manicure and pedicure products include Kiara Sky, OPI, and Voesh New York. While these products can be beneficial for personal care, it is important to note that the negative environmental impacts generated by beauty salons are related to the composition of the products used and the waste generated.
