In December 2009 the UK Government reacted to growing concerns about the “recreational” misuse of GBL when they classified the substance as a Class C Drug (under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971). In so doing they have not banned the use of GBL in nail polish remover pads but it is now against the law to possess or sell GBL for human consumption.

GBL (gamma-butyrolactone) is a common chemical solvent found in products such as: stain-remover, paint-stripper as well as nail polish remover pads. Sometimes known as liquid ecstasy it is highly dangerous and if ingested can reduce inhibitions, cause nausea, reduced heart rate and even lead to death. GBL is particularly dangerous when taken with alcohol and other depressant substances.  

After media coverage highlighting the dangers of this substance some owners of nail polish remover pad brands have chosen to re-formulate their products in order to eliminate any potential risk to consumers arising from either direct or indirect misuse of this solvent.

Where GBL is still used in nail polish remover pads responsible manufacturers of the moist pads will ensure that their formulation also includes unpalatable ingredients such as Bitrex. In this way the manufacturer can be confident that their pads are not used as a source of GBL for human consumption.

This said there are moist pads available which have completely eliminated the use of GBL and many of these products are equally effective at removal of nail polish. For this reason we have observed a trend away from the use of GBL in nail polish remover pads in the UK market.

At James Douglas Limited we manufacture absorbent pads from non woven fabrics for use in wide variety of makeup remover pad brands. We work closely with our customers to specify the most suitable non woven fabrics and when required by our customers we offer a full manufacturing service for the finished consumer packs. In support of these customers we have developed nail polish remover formulations which do not contain GBL.

If you require any further information about the products or the services offered by James Douglas then you can contact us via our website www.jamesdouglas.net or call us on +44 (0) 1992 586553.  

Airlines forbid bottles over 100ml being carried in your hand-luggage; they even ask that smaller quantities are packed into sealed, see-through plastic bags. If the unsmiling security guard finds a bottle of liquid over 100mls capacity in your bag then invariably your favourite product is unceremoniously dumped into a bin in front of your eyes!

Cosmetic cleansing pads pre-dosed with your chosen liquid formulation offer a simple way around these problems. Most leading skincare and make-up removal brands offer product in this format. By holding the liquid formulation within the absorbent non woven pad they help you to avoid annoying spillages. Often these wet pad products are packed in screw capped plastic jars which are strong enough to withstand knocks and bumps normally experienced in transit. Even when the packaging is damaged or the cap becomes loose the liquid is held within the pad and does not damage your precious belongings in the way a larger bottle of “loose liquid” might do. When the liquid is a particularly strong solvent (e.g. nail polish remover) the potential hazards of carrying liquids in bottles becomes even greater.

Moist cosmetic pads are allowed in your hand-luggage by airline security. Details of what can and cannot be taken in your hand luggage can be found at the following link:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Publictransport/AirtravelintheUK/DG_078179 .

Even if you are not travelling by plane, pre-wetted cosmetic pads are a very handy and safe addition to any overnight bag or gym kit. Many cosmetic brands already offer a pad product as a convenient, simple and safe alternative to buying bulkier bottles of liquid plus a bag of cotton wool. Having trialled these products on holiday we find that many consumers like the convenience of the 2-in-1 alternatives and will buy for use at home.

If you see the need for new products based on cotton or non woven pads then you should contact us at www.jamesdouglas.net .We have worked with a number of cosmetic brand owners and retailers to develop new cosmetic pad products and are always on the lookout for new ideas using fabric pads that fill a gap in the market. We manufacture cosmetic pads in our modern production facility in Hertford, England (Tel: +44 (0) 1992 874194).