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The 2010 Canadian report What’s Inside? That Counts states that at least 80 percent of cosmentic products on the market today contain one or more ingredients linked to health and environmental concerns. This includes many cancers, reproductive disorders, asthma and severe allergies. Nail polish is loaded with those ingredients. That being said, I want to share with you some non toxic nail polish brands so you can still indulge in a little glam while staying free from these harmful chemicals.
What’s up with nail polish?
As I already touched upon, nail polish contains a concoction of toxic chemicals including the three big ones, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene. There is significant research to suggest these common ingredients are harmful to our health.
According to the Delaware Publich Health Division, long term exposure to toluene can be seriously detrimental to the nervous system. Symptoms include spasms, tremors, hearing loss, diminished vision and memory loss. Dibutyl phthalate causes issues with developing foetus and the male testes say the Australian Government. And formaldehyde has been directly linked to different forms of cancer.
Duke University studied the toxicity of another common ingredient, triphenyl phosphate, or TPHP, and concluded the chemical did indeed leach into the participants bodies (it was found in their urine). The study continues to state that TPHP alters endocrine function and impacts reproduction. Additionally, NJ Department of Health says consistent exposure to TPHP can lead to negative affects to the liver and kidneys.
This might sound like some seriously bad news for those of us who love a good mani, but don’t fret. There are a handful of brands out there that allow us to have those beautiful nails without compromising our health.
Before we get into it, I should start by saying many brands have coined the term 3-free, 5-free, 20-free, you get it. This just means the brand is formulating a nail polish without the top 3 or top 20 harmful ingredients commonly found in nail polish. The higher the number the better!
5 Non Toxic Nail Polish Brands Without Harmful Chemicals
Revlon Ultra HD Snap
Starting with a brand many of us probably recognize. Revlon has created a fast-drying, vegan formula that is free from 20 controversial ingredients. They suggest it’s made with 78% natural ingredients but it doesn’t compromise on quality. The flat brush design applies polish without streaks and with 24 colors available, so we have CHOICES!
Join me in giving this long-standing brand a round of a plause as it makes an effort to transform and become a non toxic nail polish and chem-free option, for us healthy girlies.
Rooted Women
Rooted Women is big on self-care and personal wellness. I love their transparency. Each ingredient is put into simple terms to help us understand what we are putting on our body. This brand is vegan, gluten-free, and 10-free.
With over 25 colors to choose from you can feel confident when purchasing and using this ethical nail polish. Be sure to check out their interactive page that allows you to pick your skin tone and “try on” each color!
Le Mini Macaron
Le Mini Macaron is a 3-in-1 gel nail polish that combines base coat, color, and top coat all in one. The highlight of their brand is their 15-minute manicure kits. The kit comes with a mini LED lamp to individually dry each nail in less than 30 seconds. It’s smudge free and chip-resistant as well as formulated without the top 9 toxic ingredients.
This brand encourages you to move outside of your comfort zone with over 90 colors to choose from.
Cote
Cote is happy to say they promote safer beauty products. Being 10-free, they have a long list of ingredients NOT in their polish. This is a USA made, cruelty-free and vegan non toxic nail polish brand.
Seven of their many colors specifically support a different cause! Talk about giving back. This is something I have yet to see in a nail polish brand. To me, this company goes above and beyond.
Gitti
Founded in Berlin, Germany, Gitti is revolutionizing the beauty industry with their mission to do better by people and the planet. Gitti is selecting safe ingredients and using sustainable packaging, while still producing a high-performing cruelty-free product. Their polish formula is infused with antioxidants and high quality ingredients, not to mention, 30-free, plant-based, and long lasting. The color options are endless!
Check out some more on clean beauty
All hope is not lost for nail polish. There are plenty of brands using more natural ingredients so tons of beautiful colors to choose from. Share your favorite non toxic nail polish brands in the comments and stay safe!
