Non-Toxic Nail Polish (What to Avoid & Favorite Brands)

As many of you know, I’m the self-proclaimed Chief of The Safer Beauty Tribe, so it goes without saying that non-toxic nail polish is the only kind of polish used over here.  You might be surprised to learn that  conventional nail polish can be one of the most toxic beauty products around.  There’s a reason most nail salons smell so awful!  Most conventional polishes contain a host of harmful chemicals.  So years ago when I made the switch to safer beauty products, I set out to find some safer nail polish alternatives!

The good news?  ~> You absolutely DO NOT have to sacrifice your health for a good mani/pedi!  {Insert the praise hands emoji}

What Ingredients to Avoid

Before we dive in to my favorite non-toxic nail polish brands, I think it’s worth specifically noting which harmful ingredients to avoid.

The Toxic Three

These three common nail polish ingredients are commonly referred to as the “toxic-three” in the safer beauty world. And thankfully more and more brands are starting to create 3-free formulas.

1. Toluene – A chemical known to cause reproductive harm is often added to nail polish to make it smooth.  However, The CDC warns that it can cause central nervous system problems.
2. Formaldehyde – This known carcinogen is found in many nail polishes because it makes polish harden.
3. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – Often added to nail polish because it creates a chip-free finish, this chemical is banned in Europe and is known to cause reproductive problems. The Environmental Working Group warns that it can cause organ problems and endocrine disruption.

Understanding the Lingo

While 3-free polish is safer than conventional nail polish, there are other harmful ingredients besides those three toxic ingredients that are also worth avoiding.  As consumers are becoming more ingredient savvy, leading them to seek out safer alternatives, nail polish brands have created polishes that are described as 5-free, 7-free, 8-free, 9-free and even 10-free.

5-free

5 Free polishes are free of the toxic trio of ingredients listed above as well as

1. Formaldehyde Resin – This is a derivative of formaldehyde that is a carcinogen and allergen.
2. Camphor: This is a neurotoxin, which can cause seizures if ingested (not good for nail biters) and liver damage when absorbed into the skin.

7-free

7-free formulas are free of the 5 ingredients noted above plus ethyl tosylamide, which is banned in personal care products in Europe due to its antibiotic properties and concern over antibiotic resistance, and xylene, a known allergen and possible carcinogen.

8-free

8-free formulas are free of those 7 plus triphenyl phosphate (TPHP or TPP), which is a known endocrine disruptor.

9-free

Free of those 8 plus parabens, which interfere with hormone function.

10-free

Free of those 9 plus animal ingredients.

Favorite Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands

Now that we’ve gone over all of the terminology, let’s chat about which brands are making safer alternatives that measure up performance-wise to their toxic-filled counterparts.  These are listed in no particular order.

1. Mineral Fusion

Mineral Fusion is one of the most affordable in the toxic-free polish category, coming in under $10 a bottle at most retailers, usually priced around $8 at Whole Foods.  Their nail polishes are 100% vegan, toluene, camphor, DBP and formaldehyde free.  The handle takes some getting used to, but overall this is a pretty good polish that doesn’t chip too easily.

2. Zoya

Zoya makes 5-free nail polish in a huge variety of colors (over 300!) with a reasonable price point ($10).  And they’re polishes seem to be pretty long-wearing, which is the main reason I like this brand so much.

3. Smith & Cult

Smith & Cult is on the pricier side ($18), but it’s a great nail polish!  Their 8-free formula is guaranteed to be formulated without dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate.  This polish goes on smooth, has a beautiful shine, is long-lasting and fairly chip-resistant. It’s a bit of a splurge, but if you’re someone who polishes your own nails a lot this brand is worth the expense, in my humble opinion.

Polish Removers

Removers can be just as toxic as polishes.  Isopropyl acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and n-methyl-pyrrolidone, are often used as solvents in nail polish removers.  And there is evidence to suggest that these chemicals may cause reproductive harm and organ toxicity.  Both Mineral Fusion and Zoya make polish removers, but the simplest way to remove nail polish is just by using Lemongrass essential oil.  See, there is literally an oil for that.  😉

It works like a charm, just ask my daughter.

Mylk Bar ~ a Local Non-Toxic Nail Salon

I’m grateful that we have a local nail salon in my area that is dedicated to providing a toxic-free nail experience.  Mylk Bar is a wonderful nail salon that you must try to visit when you’re in the Charleston, SC area!  And heads up Nashville friends, I hear there is one coming your way soon!

If you enjoy hearing about clean beauty and want to find out more about safer beauty brands and which toxic ingredients to avoid, you should totally sign up for my FREE monthly Safer Beauty Tribe newsletter!  It’s like a monthly letter from me where I dish the goods on all things related to toxic-free beauty, including which brands are the real deal and which ones are totally fake news.  😉

Beauty should be good for you!  xo – Carmel