What is considered a solvent used in nail care?

Acetone is classified as a solvent in nail care due to its ability to dissolve substances, particularly those found in nail polish and adhesives. In the context of nail care, acetone is commonly used to remove nail polish, especially gel and acrylics, because it effectively breaks down the compounds in these products. Its high volatility allows it to evaporate quickly, which is advantageous when working in a salon environment, as it minimizes product residue.

In contrast, while alcohol, water, and glycerin may have roles in nail care, they do not function primarily as solvents for removing nail polish. Alcohol can be used for disinfecting tools or surfaces, water is a universal solvent but not effective for nail polish removal, and glycerin is primarily utilized as a moisturizer and does not possess the properties needed to dissolve nail products. This distinction helps clarify why acetone is recognized as a solvent in the nail care industry.