

“One example of such an ingredient is toluene, which can cause damage to the nervous system with high exposure and was traditionally included in polish formulas to create a smooth finish on the nail.” Is there such a thing as nontoxic nail polish? Here’s the big question: Is nail polish toxic? “Traditional nail polishes can have potentially harmful toxins that become dangerous when they are airborne and breathed into our bodies consistently over time,” says Nadine Abramcyk, cofounder and head of brand at New York City salon Tenoverten. Good news: Following a 2015 study that found chemicals in lacquers can absorb through our nails and into our bodies, nail polish brands have begun to weed out ingredients that could negatively affect our health. The most common term you'll see among nontoxic or natural nail polish is “three-free,” which means a polish is made without formaldehyde (which is classified as a human carcinogen), toluene (a common solvent), and dibutyl phthalate (which helps create long-wear formulas). What are the most toxic ingredients in nail polish?Īs we mentioned, formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate are the “big three” ingredients considered to be the most potentially disruptive. Many nontoxic formulations are now going further, though, to eliminate other harmful ingredients like formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and TPHP. When a nontoxic or natural nail polish doesn't contain those additives, that's when you'll see 5-, 7-, 9-, or 10-free written on the label.

Yes, to some extent, but the greater risk is for those who work in a salon, which is worth keeping in mind when you’re deciding what to tip your manicurist. “The damages traditional nail polish fumes pose are much more potent for salon workers than the individual getting their nails done,” Abramcyk says.
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“While inhaling polish fumes is less than ideal, the burden overwhelmingly falls on the manicurist, who has a much higher level of exposure.” If you DIY your nail care, you shouldn’t worry about it-and don’t miss our tips for how to paint your nails like a pro.
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Some people might seek out a nontoxic nail polish during times like pregnancy, when they’re more aware of the various chemicals in their beauty products, full stop. (While there are no official standard pregnancy-safe nail polishes, these clean nail polish brands are a pretty good start.) They may also be more eco-friendly some even offer vegan nail polish. While there's long been a desire to use nontoxic beauty products, the clean nail polishes didn't always perform as well as their traditional counterparts.
