From Concept to R&D Case: Methodology for Developing, Testing, and Positioning Soil Biobased Gel Polish in the Professional Manicure Market

Abstract

The professional manicure market is expanding at a CAGR of approximately 8% and could reach $38.9 billion by 2034. However, the growing consumption of UV-curable gel polishes is accompanied by accumulating evidence of the harmful effects of key components: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) is identified as an allergen in 97% of patients with contact dermatitis from nail cosmetics, and the photoinitiator TPO has been banned in EU cosmetics since September 2025. Furthermore, acrylate copolymers are recognized as non-filterable microplastics that accumulate in aquatic environments. This paper systematizes methodological approaches to the development of Soil biobased gel polish—a concept based on polylactide (PLA) and HEMA/TPO-free formulations. The objective of the study is to develop and substantiate a comprehensive R&D-case methodology for an innovative gel polish, encompassing component analysis, technological constraints, positioning strategy, and recommendations for launching the product in the professional market. The author’s model, comparative tables, and risk matrix form a practically applicable algorithm useful to cosmetic formulation developers, beauty-industry entrepreneurs, and researchers in sustainable biomaterials.