Traditional nail polish is formulated with toxic chemical ingredients and a strong odor that can irritate the senses. Nails are absorbent especially when exposed to solvents and other chemicals found in nail polish. Beauty trends have shifted to cleaner, safer ingredients in cosmetics and skin care, and nail polish brands have followed suit. Companies are now creating polishes without some of these toxic ingredients and irritants known as 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, 9-free and 10-free (you may even hear of 14-free). Do not be fooled by marketing claims, and do read your labels.
10-free ingredients to avoid:
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a respiratory irritant, which poses the most hazard to nail technicians who may become exposed to large amounts.
- Formaldehyde resin can release formaldehyde and neither of these should be in your polish. Short-term effects of formaldehyde exposure include respiratory and skin irritation, while long-term exposure has links to cancer.
- Toluene is a solvent used in polish to help it dry quickly; the health concerns associated with excessive exposure to this ingredient may include nervous system impairment and immune, kidney, liver, and reproductive effects.
- TPHP (Triphenyl phosphate) is a plasticizer, as well as a fire retardant, and studies have linked it to changes in normal hormone function.
- Xylene, when exposed to high concentrations in the air, can cause central nervous system depression and headaches.
- Ethyl tosylamide is banned from use in cosmetics by the European Commission but is still used in the United States. This ingredient is suspected of causing developmental and reproductive toxicity.
- Camphor is a fragrant resin still included in many nail products, but it can cause headaches, nausea and dizziness in high amounts.
- Parabens are a common preservative but are a suspected endocrine disruptor.
- Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) may be toxic to blood, lungs, liver, the respiratory system and the central nervous system.
In addition, choose a nail polish without synthetic fragrance. You may also want to look for vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free options.
Not-so-toxic nail polish options include 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, 9-free and 10-free options.
All brand links below are for your reference and convenience. Amazon links are affiliate links and the author will be paid a small commission for sales.
10-free
Mischo Beauty nail lacquers are also vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, gluten-free and void of artificial fragrances. Black-owned beauty company.
Mented nude nail collection is vegan and cruelty-free. Black-owned beauty company.
Sundays nail polishes are vegan and cruelty-free. Box sets available.
Priti NYC nail polishes are vegan, cruelty and gluten-free.
9-free
Côte is a clean brand from LA with vegan and cruelty-free polishes. Is free from known toxicants, but does not list TBHP on their free-from ingredient list.
Zoya is free of known toxicants but does not list TBHP on their free-from ingredient list.
8-free
Aila is vegan, cruelty-free and gluten-free.
Tenoverten is vegan and cruelty-free. Is free from known toxicants, but does not list parabens or TBHP on their free-from ingredient list.
Butter London does not list ingredients on their website though claims to be 8-free on some of their lacquer descriptions.
Check out EcoCult’s tried & tested reviews of some of these not-so-toxic nail polish brands (includes photos of wear).
Available on Amazon
Safer Nail Polish Removers
Priti NYC has an unscented nail polish remover and a soy-based option that is 100% Biodegradable, non-toxic, vegan, cruelty free and gluten free.
Tenoverten Rose Polish Remover is paraben-free, acetone-free, cruelty-free and vegan.
Cote’s Take Off Polish Remover is acetone-free.
Aila has a safe remover to remove their 10-free nail polishes. The nourishing natural soy oil removes nail polish by massaging the nail. Keep in mind this is a healthy oil-based alternative to acetone and acetate and requires slightly more effort to remove your polish.
Do you have a not-so-toxic nail polish brand that is your favourite? Share it with our community in the comments, please!
References
https://www.mentedcosmetics.com/blogs/the-ment/whats-10-free-nail-lacquer
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/g28834890/best-natural-non-toxic-nail-polishes/
https://dearsundays.com/what-is-10-free-nail-polish/
https://mischobeauty.com/collections/nail-lacquer