Comparing E904 - Shellac vs E1505 - Triethyl citrate

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Overview

E904 - Shellac

Shellac (E904) is a food-grade glaze that gives candies, nuts, and some fruits a smooth, shiny finish. It is a purified natural resin made from the secretions of the lac insect and is approved in many regions as a surface treatment for foods.

E1505 - Triethyl citrate

Triethyl citrate (E1505) is a clear, almost odorless liquid made by combining citric acid with ethanol. In foods, it works mainly as a carrier for flavors and colors, a mild emulsifier, and a plasticizer that helps coatings stay flexible.

Synonyms

E904

Shellac

Bleached shellac

E1505

Triethyl citrate

triethyl 2-hydroxypropane-1‚2‚3-tricarboxylate

Functions

glazing agent

carrier stabilizer

Origins

Animal

Synthetic

Products

Found in 1,341 products

Found in 194 products

Search rank & volume

#8329.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#2481.8K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×3.18

over-aware

×1.35

over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Popular questions

What is shellac nails?
In beauty, “shellac nails” are a UV-cured hybrid gel-polish service (e.g., CND Shellac); despite the name, it does not use the food additive shellac (E904) resin used as a glaze.
How to remove shellac nail polish?
Soak the nails in acetone for about 10–15 minutes (using cotton and foil or remover wraps), then gently push off the softened coating—do not peel to avoid nail damage.
Is shellac the same as gel?
Not exactly—Shellac is a specific brand of gel-polish hybrid, while “gel” can refer broadly to many soak-off UV/LED gel systems; they cure similarly and have comparable wear.
What is a shellac manicure?
A manicure using a UV/LED-cured gel-polish system branded “Shellac” for long-lasting color; it’s unrelated to the food glazing agent shellac (E904).
What are shellac nails?
They are nails coated with a UV-cured gel-polish branded “Shellac” for chip-resistant wear, not coated with the food additive shellac (E904) used in food glazes.