Education

Non toxic Nail Polish - What You need to Know

What is Non-Toxic Nail Polish?

Nail polish made without highly toxic ingredients such as toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate.

What is 3, 5, 10 - Free Nail Polish?

In the 2000s, nail polish manufacturers started promoting “3-Free” nail polish products, phasing out three widely publicized toxic chemicals: toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DnBP), known spiffily as the Toxic Trio. Most recently, brands have been jumping on board to display other ingredients to take out as they are learning more information about which ingredients may be more toxic to our health than previously known.

What to Look for

01.

Ingredients to Ignore

You may even see some Brands display that their products are even "17 Free", however, we'd say that between 7-10 Free is usually the number that we aim for. The most important ingredients to ignore are free of: 1. Formaldehyde 2. Toluene 3. DBP 4. Camphor 5. Formaldehyde resin 6. Xylene 7. Parabens 8. Fragrances 9. Phthalates 10. Animal ingredients Bonus: Gluten

02.

Ingredients Listed by Amount

According to the FDA, nail polish sold on a retail basis is required to show a list of ingredients, by order of predominance. Look for the first ingredients to see what the polish is predominately made up of.


03.

Don't be Tricked by the Words

Unfortunately, some ingredients can be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Did you know that Formaldehyde which is #1 on the ignore list - can go by another name?
Formaldehyde can go by these names:
Quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, Imidazolidinyl urea, Diazolidinyl urea, Polyoxymethylene urea, Hydroxymethylglyconate and Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1-3-diol)

04.

Does the FDA regulate Nail Polish Ingredients?

Unfortunately, like many other cosmetics, they are not really regulated by the FDA. Especially when manufacturers aren't transparent with all of the ingredients. Not to mention, the nail polish manufacturers don't face fines or legal prosecutions if they incorrectly label a product's ingredients.

05.

Should I be worried about nail polish chemicals?

If you receive the occasional mani or pedi, you should be okay! However, if you work in the industry I would be much more cautious as some ingredients can disrupt the endocrine system and can hijack your hormones!

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hot tip to remember

Skip the acrylics and dip gel to be the safest as those tend to contribute to higher toxins and unhealthy fumes.

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