INCI name

N-BUTYL ALCOHOL

n-Butyl alcohol (butanol)

A solvent used in nail polishes.

What it is

n-Butyl alcohol is a volatile alcohol solvent. In nail polishes it helps dissolve resins and controls how quickly the film dries.

Where it is used

Nail polishes and nail polish removers.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

It is volatile and flammable; use as the label directs.

Functions

Denaturant: Rendering cosmetics unpalatable. Mostly added to cosmetics containing ethyl alcohol to make it unsuitable for ingestion.
Solvent: Dissolving other components of cosmetics. Solvents are usually liquids (aqueous and nonaqueous).
Perfuming: Used for perfume and aromatic raw materials.

EU regulation

This ingredient is not listed in the annexes of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in the CosIng data.

Products with this ingredient (306)

Check a full ingredient list