Non-Toxic Nail Polish: Which Ingredients to Avoid and 12 of the Best Brands
It's common knowledge that most nail polish ingredients aren't exactly good for you.
Not only can they damage your nails over time, but they can also be toxic to inhale.
Which is why nail polish companies have been hard at work figuring out how to remove them from their formulas, without sacrificing performance!
It used to be that three-free polishes were the standard, but now we're seeing five-, seven- and even 10-free offerings.
Here are the key ingredients you probably want to avoid—and which brands to look for!
Contents
- 1 Nail Polish Ingredients to Avoid
- 2 Five-Free Nail Polish
- 3 Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour
- 4 Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer
- 5 OPI Nail Lacquer
- 6 Seven-Free Nail Polish
- 7 cote Nail Polish
- 8 Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer
- 9 Eight-Free Nail Polish
- 10 Butter London Nail Lacquer
- 11 Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer
- 12 Tenoverten Nail Polish
- 13 10-Free Nail Polish
- 14 JINsoon Nail Lacquer
- 15 Kure Bazaar Nail Polish
- 16 Zoya Professional Lacquer
- 17 Water-Based Nail Polish
- 18 Acquarella Nail Polish
Nail Polish Ingredients to Avoid
- Formaldehyde: This is actually only found in hardening products, not regular polishes. It is a known human carcinogen and an irritant to the skin, eyes, nose and throat.
- Formaldehyde resin: This helps the polish adhere to the nail. It's not dangerous like formaldehyde (the chemical process to create the resin changes it), but it can be allergenic.
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): This is a plasticizer that makes the polish more flexible in order to stop it from chipping and cracking. It is linked to hormone disruption.
- Toluene: This chemical makes the polish go on smoothly, so it's easy to apply. It is linked to headaches, dizziness and fatigue, and is a possible reproductive and developmental toxin.
- Camphor: This is another plasticizer, like DBP. Some people find it irritating.
- Xylene: This is a solvent that ensures your nail polish stays the right consistency. Inhaling it can cause eye and skin irritation, headaches, nausea and dizziness.
- Ethyl tosylamide: This is a plasticizer that helps nail polish to dry quickly. It is linked to antibiotic resistance.
- Triphenyl phosphate (THTP): This chemical makes polish more flexible and durable. Studies show that it is a hormone disruptor and is associated with fertility problems.
- Parabens: These are preservatives that prevent bacterial growth. They have been shown to exert estrogenic effects.
- Lead: This metal is found in certain nail polish pigments, and may cause fatigue, headaches, memory loss, miscarriages and premature births.
Now, on to the best five-, seven- and 10-free brands!
Five-Free Nail Polish
Five-free nail polishes don't contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene or camphor.
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour
Where to buy:Nordstrom
Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer
Where to buy: Nordstrom
OPI Nail Lacquer
Where to buy:Amazon.com
Seven-Free Nail Polish
Seven-free nail polishes don't contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, xylene or ethyl tosylamide.
cote Nail Polish
Where to buy: Goop
Deborah Lippmann Nail Lacquer
Where to buy:Nordstrom
Eight-Free Nail Polish
Eight-free nail polishes don't contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide or THTP.
Butter London Nail Lacquer
Where to buy:Nordstrom
Smith & Cult Nail Lacquer
Where to buy:Nordstrom
Tenoverten Nail Polish
Where to buy:Net-a-Porter
10-Free Nail Polish
Ten-free nail polishes don't contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, THTP, parabens or lead.
JINsoon Nail Lacquer
Where to buy: Nordstorm
Kure Bazaar Nail Polish
Where to buy:The Detox Market
Zoya Professional Lacquer
Where to buy: Amazon.com
Water-Based Nail Polish
Water-based nail polishes don't contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, formaldehyde derivatives, DBP, toluene, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, THTP, parabens, lead, petrochemical solvents, phthalates, polyurethane, polyurethane film-formers, mercury, FD&C dyes, coal tar, gluten, wheat by-products or aromatic hydrocarbons.
Acquarella Nail Polish
Where to buy: Amazon.com
Are you concerned about chemicals in your nail polish?
Have you tried any of these brands?
