Let me get the bad news out of the way first: 100% non-toxic nail polish doesn’t really exist.
Sorry. 😬
But, if you love your manicures, don’t fret just yet. There are definitely safer, low-tox nail polish brands on the market.
I’ll tell you the worst ingredients to watch out for, and which brands are “cleaner.”
This Guide Covers:
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. (Not all links are affiliate, though!) As always, we only make honest recommendations.
The BIG 10 Toxic Nail Polish Ingredients to Avoid
The first polishes used contained ingredients like beeswax, gum arabic, egg whites, and plant pigments. But, manicure artists sought formulas to create high-gloss, smooth, glassy, bright, and durable polish to mimic automobiles. Hello, Industrial Revolution. It didn’t take long for nail polish to contain ingredients that are hard on our health. These include three primary toxic chemicals: toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and formaldehyde.
There’s no reason to inhale these chemicals and put them on your body to make your nails look pretty, so below is a list of the “BIG 10” toxic ingredients, including what they’re used for and their faults. (Whenever you see nail polish brands market themselves as “10-Free,” these are the ten ingredients they’re talking about.)
Toluene: a solvent that thins the polish, BUT can cause neurological damage, impaired breathing, hearing loss, brain dysfunction, and possible birth defects in pregnancies.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): used for durability and shine, BUT as an endocrine disruptor, can damage the liver, kidney, and reproductive system.
Camphor: does naturally come from a camphor tree, BUT can trigger allergic reactions, dizziness, headache, nausea, and liver dysfunction.
Xylene: used to maintain liquid consistency, BUT can cause a range of symptoms from headaches and dizziness to respiratory issues, kidney problems, and gastrointestinal toxicity.
Formaldehyde: used as both a preservative against bacteria and an agent for strengthening and hardness, BUT can cause allergic reactions, asthma, nausea, and even miscarriages.
Formaldehyde Resin: adds depth, shine, and hardness to the nail polish, BUT can cause skin allergies, dermatitis, and possible reproductive issues leading to miscarriage.
Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP): used to improve flexibility and durability, BUT can cause endocrine toxicity and irregularities in developmental and reproductive systems.
Colophonium: does naturally come from pine and spruce trees and is used as the glue, BUT can cause strong allergic reactions, dermatitis, and breathing issues.
Organic halides: used as thinners (why are there so many thinners?!) and consist of various substances like bromine, iodine, fluorine, and chlorine, BUT they cause various serious disorders, including nerve damage.
Silicone (dimethicone): used to speed up drying, BUT can cause lots of allergic reactions and is non-biodegradable.
With so many great non-toxic nail polish brands out there, there’s no reason to expose yourself to these potentially toxic chemicals. Below are our recommendations for a safe mani/pedi.
P.S. Here’s a full article on non-toxic nail polish remover!
6 Low-Tox Nail Polish Brands for a Cleaner Manicure
Sundays
With self-care and wellness at the center, sundays is a salon in NYC that sells a decent range of signature products (including 9-free soy polish remover!). Their long-lasting, gorgeous, and timeless polish colors come in well-designed bottles for flawless application. By offering candles, affirmation and meditation merchandise, and nail care, sundays really covers the gammat of a manicure experience—even if at home.
Vegan. 10-free.
Dazzle Dry (Gel)
If you’re looking for a gel polish (which will typically last longer than a standard polish), Dazzle Dry is a great choice.
They’ve figured out how to make the gel polish dry without the use of a UV light. (They do recommend you use their 4-step system to get the best results, though. It includes a “nail prep,” base coat, lacquer, and top coat.)
They’re also vegan and they give back to various charities.
Mersi
Mersi is unique because it is Halal and Wudu friendly. (Halal means the ingredients are in accordance to Islamic law.) The two big factors that make their products Halal is that they use zero animal by-products and the polish is water permeable (a.k.a. breathable). During the prayer practices Ablution/Wudu, the nails must be touched by the water.
Outside of adhering to Islamic Law, being water and oxygen permeable does a great benefit to nails by allowing them to stay hydrated. With high standards and multiple certifications, Mersi offers nail polish, “mission sets” that support cultural movements, customizable sets, and nail nutrition.
Vegan. Halal. 21-free.
LaPierre
When the founder’s mother, Jacquelyn Marie LaPierre, was diagnosed with lung cancer, her daughter didn’t want to give up her fond memories they shared over manicures, so she created LaPierre as a safe formula.
They don’t skimp on the bright statement colors and electric descriptions, either!
Vegan. 10-free.
AILA
The founder of AILA is a medical professional, cancer survivor, mother, and health seeker.
AILA is unique because some of their products are infused with health-promoting ingredients. Take their PRIME Base Coat secret ingredient for example: garlic(!). The garlic strengthens the nail and protects it from fungus through its high levels of allicin, sulphur, zinc, calcium, and selenium.
In addition to nail polishes, AILA offers a super full line of ‘essentials,’ including their plant-based polish remover, which is enhanced with argan oil to nourish the skin and nails.
Vegan. Gluten-Free. 15-free.
Habit
Creator, Aja Frierson, is a lifelong maker. Her resourceful iterations of upcycled fashion statements eventually led to Habit.
These polishes are infused with myrrh extract to improve nail strength.
Vegan. Gluten-Free. FSC-certified Packaging. 9-free.
LVX
With almost 50 runway-driven colors and three different finishes, LVX tells the stories of emerging trends, designers, and artists.
If you’re really trying to get away from gel manicures, LVX lacquers are ‘gel-like’ and might be a good transition product. They also offer polish remover in the form of all-natural wipes, and a lush Green Tea Nail oil.
Vegan. 10-free.
