Comparison of Active Ingredients

Topical treatments and products are only as effective as the combination of their ingredients.
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Editor Review
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Official Website
Overall Score *
Tolnaftate
Peg-8
Camphor
Undecylenic Acid
Vitamin E
Coco Betaine
Triethanolamine
Aloe Barbadensis
Tea Tree Oil
Propylene Glycol
Almond Oil
Clove Flower Oil
Menthol Oil
Jojoba Oil
Propolis Extract
Lavender Oil
Thymol Oil
Sunflower Seed
* Based on first hand user and editor reviews – help contribute by taking our survey. Individual results may vary. Learn more about our rating criteria.
Ingredients Proven to Treat Nail Fungus

Choosing the Most Effective Ingredients?
We recommend using ingredients have been recommended by the FDA for their anti fungal properties. You can consult a list of these ingredients by visiting their monograph and viewing the maximum permitted amount of each ingredient permitted. What ingredient you choose is entirely up to you. We do caution you to review the ingredients in any product you purchase and if an active ingredient is not listed you may want to consider using something else.
Be weary of any product that advertises a concentration over the maximum recommended permitted amount because there may be increased risks of an adverse reaction.The most positively reviewed products on this website contain either Tolnaftate or Undecylenic Acid.

Undecylenic Acid
This active ingredient is an approved anti fungal that is derived from castor oil. It is commonly used in products designed to help treat nail fungus . Undeclenic Acid is recommended at a 10% concentration level. Occasionally, you may see it marketed is at a higher concentration. We do not recommend using anything higher than 10% as mandated by the FDA’s monograph.

Tolnaftate, 1%
Tolnaftate is an active ingredient also recognized by the FDA for its anti fungal properties at a concentration of 1%. Tolnafate is a powerful chemical based approach often preferred to Undecylenic Acid but with an inflated price point.

Sunflower Seed Oil
The oil from Sunflower Seed is often used in cosmetic skincare due to the Vitamin E, D, and A it contains. This oil is sometimes marketed as an all natural delivery system to help deliver anti fungal active ingredients to the source of the infection underneath the nail. We are unaware of any scientific studies to substantiate this claim.

Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is often an ingredient found in all natural products and marketed for its anti fungal properties. Derived from the leaves of the Melaleuca Alternifolio – this oil is commonly found in anti fungal nail formulas in combination with Undecylenic Acid.

Peg-8
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 8), is a clear chemical based liquid with a low viscosity. It is often marketed in nail formulas to help deliver anti fungal active ingredients like Tolnaftate to the source of the infection underneath the nail through corneochytes. We are unaware of any scientific studies to substantiate this claim.
Nail Fungus Ingredient Comparison Chart
It’s arguable that when you purchase any health care based products you are investing in the blend of ingredients and their concentrations. We strongly recommend looking past the marketing and taking a look at the actual ingredient labels yourself and performing your own research before making a purchase. For your convenience, we purchase all the products reviewed on this website and upload photos of the instructions and ingredient labels to help provide transparency.
Topical treatments are only as effective as the combination of ingredients of which they are comprised.
Top Rated Product
NailRENEW
NailRENEW is our top choice, as it has the highest amount of positive feedback and well-researched anti-fungal ingredients that are proven to help eliminate fungus and all of its symptoms

Rating: | #1 |
Product Score*: |
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Sample Size: | 5,000+ |
Feedback*: | 91% Positive |
Cost: | $49.95 |
Manufacturer: | NailRENEW |
Website: | Visit Site |
Active Ingredient: | Tolnaftate |
Means of Nail Penetration: | PEG-8 |
Customer Rating*: |
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Policy: | 60 Day Return |
* Based on first hand user and editor reviews – help contribute by taking our survey. Individual results may vary. Learn more about our rating criteria.
Check out our simple Best Practices Guide for achieving the full potential of any over the counter options read about here – in layman’s terms.