Going Chemical Free?
Try These Non-Toxic Nail Polishes
With the drive to live healthier lives and eliminate harmful chemicals, it makes sense to think about the toxicity of our favorite nail polishes, too.
Most polishes contain the so-called ‘toxic three’:
Dibutyl phthalate – This plasticizer provides the polish with a degree of flexibility, and short term exposure can result in headaches, nausea, sore eyes and irritated throats. In some studies, it’s also been linked to decreased fertility in men.
Toluene – This is designed to evenly suspend the pigment throughout the polish, and it’s what makes recreational glue sniffing so bad. The liquid itself, and the resulting vapor, are associated with sore throats, skin irritation, dizziness and numbness.
Formaldehyde – Its use as a hardening agent has been banned, or limited, in many products, including nail polish, by the FDA. Exposure, even short term, can lead to headaches, dizziness, nausea and irritated eyes.
Nail polishes can also contain some other pretty nasty chemicals, including Triphenyl phosphate, or TPHP. This readily absorbed chemical has been linked to hormone problems, especially in teenage girls.
Many nail polish manufacturers recognize that we might not be so keen to suffer from these conditions, and many have brought out ranges that are free of the toxic three. Often advertized as non toxic, or ‘big three free’, brands have frequently gone one step further and created cruelty-free, organic and vegan products.
Claimed to be as good, if not better, than products containing chemicals, I’ve been putting them through their paces and here’s my pick of the bunch.
1) Cirque Colors Crème Nail Polish – Urbanized
What Makes it Great
Like all their polishes, Cirque Colors Urbanized is vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic. Avoiding toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), this gloriously mustard colored polish goes on smoothly, and has impressive staying power. It was 18 days before I needed to remove it.
Where it Could be Improved
Ironically, as this polish was a little thick, I had to use a couple of drops of acetone to loosen it.
Cirque Colors Crème Nail Polish - 0.37 fl. oz. (11 ml) - Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Non-Toxic Formula (Urbanized)
- Urbanized is a spicy mustard yellow creme nail polish
- Cirque Colors high-quality creme polish is rich in color, is opaque in 2 coats, and has a smooth long-lasting finish
- Our polish is vegan, animal cruelty free, non-toxic formula and 10-free
2) Karma Organic Nail Polish – Bordeaux
What Makes it Great
Karma Organic have produced a gorgeous non-toxic polish. Organic and water based, it contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, plasticizer, or Pb, instead using mineral pigments and polyurethane resin to create their polish. I was wary that this wouldn’t last, so was really surprised to find that it only developed the first chip after 16 days.
Where it Could be Improved
Although water based, it did require a little effort to remove these polishes.
Karma Organic Natural Non toxic Nail polish - Vegan and Cruelty Free Nail Paint for Nail Art - Fast Drying...
- ❤ Nourish your Nails – Our vitamin enriched formula is long lasting and chip-resistant. Our nail strengthening formula contains calcium and coffee extract to nourish nails and prevent peeling
- ❤ Non Toxic – Our unique blend of plant derived ingredients is free of TPHP and is “7 free”. We don’t use toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, camphor, xylene, formaldehyde resin, or any other harmful chemicals
3) Nee Jolie Nail Polish Set – 12 Colors
What Makes it Great
Free from formaldehyde, benzophenone, and heavy metals, Nee Jolie have produced a high quality set of 12 polishes for a budget friendly price. The colors include shimmering reds, gorgeous greens and deep rich purples and blues. They lasted as impressive two weeks, before I needed to remove them.
Where it Could be Improved
Whilst the peeling off made the initial removal incredibly satisfying, the darker colors left a slight stain, so I would recommend using a base coat.
NEE JOLIE 12 Bottles Nail Polish Set Quick Dry Natural Non Toxic Nail Polish Pure Series Solid Color Nail Varnish...
- HIGH QUALITY: The nail polish is made of environmental friendly materials, non toxic, quick dry, long lasting, good tenacity and pure series color.
- CLASSIC NUDES: Pure series color nail polish is low-key and classic all the time, easy to match with different styles of clothes and accessories, and suitable for all occations.
4) Zoya Polish Nail Polish – 4 Colors
What Makes it Great
I always have plenty of Zoya polishes on hand as I find them high quality with a great range of colors. As usual with Zoya, this set of 4 glorious red shades is free from Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Dibutl, Toluene, Camphor, TPHP, Parabens, Xylene, Ethyl, Tosylamide and Lead (Phew!). The application was smooth and trouble free, and it was 19 days before I, sadly, had to remove them.
Where it Could be Improved
They did leave a slight stain on my nails, so it’s best to apply a base coat first.
Zoya Polish Quad Nail Polish, Spreading Cheer, 4 Count
Free shipping5) Karma Organic Base Coat
What Makes it Great
It’s pointless going chemical free with your polish, if the bit closest to your nail if crammed full of nasties. This base coat avoids 7 toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP, and camphor, is vegan and cruelty-free. Advertized as able to improve nail health, I did find my nails looked better, with less breakages, after I’d used this as a base coat for several weeks.
Where it Could be Improved
The dry time for this base coat was slightly longer than normal, but I don’t consider this to be an issue.
Karma Organic Triple 5 Base Coat; Non-Toxic Nail Treatment Vegan Cruelty-Free
- ►Karma organic triple 5 base coat has been giving amazing results in the context of chipping, splitting and peeling from the nail for our esteemed customers.
- ►Our triple 5 base coat secures blending of the nail color without harming the natural nail plate and also hide ridges which directly effects the beauty of your nail.
