Last Updated on May 27, 2024 by Our Editors
Is your nail polish safe to use? You deserve to pamper yourself with a relaxing manicure and stunning nails every now and then. But should your nail polish be a concern? Well, as per Harvard, the contents of traditional nail polish have been declared as a direct cancer-causing substance.
As we become more conscious of health and sustainability, it’s time to put nail polishes through a microscope as well. There are tons of nature-friendly options and non-toxic brands in the market. And here at Ecowiser, our experts have narrowed down this mighty list to 10 toxic-free nail polish brands.
So, without further ado, here’s our guide to the top 10 toxic-free nail polish brands that are eco-friendly, cruelty-free, and perfectly safe for your nails.
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What Makes Nail Polish Toxic?
Before we let you in on our list of 10 best non-toxic nail polish brands, let’s expand on what makes traditional nail polish so dangerous to use. Nail polish brands usually use chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which pose significant health and environmental risks. Formaldehyde, a carcinogen, can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation, while toluene can lead to neurological damage. Sticking to these traditional brands is also quite dangerous for pregnant women. And then there’s DBP, an endocrine disruptor, which is linked to reproductive and developmental problems.
These chemicals also hurt the environment, affecting air and water quality and harming our precious ecosystems. To reduce exposure to these hazards, Ecowiser suggests choosing “3-free” or “5-free” paints from eco-friendly nail polish brands and advocating for safer alternatives.
Toxic-Free Nail Polish: The Full Range
When you choose non-toxic nail polish brands, it’s also important to understand the various terms and certifications involved, as well as the importance of sustainable practices in packaging and production.
Ecowiser recommends these labels as a must-have for a non-toxic nail polish brand:
3-free: Nail polishes labeled as “3-free” do not contain the three most harmful chemicals which are formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
5-free: These nail polishes go further by also excluding formaldehyde resin and camphor. Formaldehyde resin can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions, while camphor in high concentrations can be toxic.
7-free: In addition to being “5-free,” these nail polishes do not contain ethyl tosylamide and xylene, which can cause contact dermatitis and respiratory issues, respectively.
10-free: The most comprehensive label, “10-free” nail polishes exclude the aforementioned seven chemicals plus triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), a hormone disruptor; parabens, preservatives that can interfere with hormone function; and animal-derived ingredients, ensuring the product is vegan.
Here’s a graphic that you can download and keep handy at all times!
Top 10 Toxic-Free Nail Polish Brands
Now that you have a better understanding of toxic-free nail polish brands, here are the 10 best options to consider for your next manicure:
Emphasizing its natural credentials with the tagline “natural as mud,” this cruelty-free nail polish has a hypoallergenic, water-based formula that is also kid-friendly. Perfect for those sensitive to strong odors, it promises to be “virtually odorless,” and ensure a pleasant experience during application. Praised by our experts for its safety and lack of chemical smell, it fulfills the need for a safe and healthy nail polish adults and kids alike.
✅ Doesn’t contain Formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, acetone, TPHP, animal products, bisphenol A (BPA), sulfates, e-series glycol ethers, benzophenone 1, 2, nonylphenol ethoxylate
👍 Available in 40+ shades
TENOVERTEN has a range of naturally nourishing formulas for your fingertips! The brand sets itself apart by using the safest ingredients to make eco-friendly nail polish that provides salon-quality results. Every bottle of nail paint is cruelty-free and vegan. The brand also practices sustainability from sourcing to shipping, recycling past-their-prime products like leftover polish, packaging, caps and brushes.
✅ Doesn’t contain Dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate
👍 Available in 23 shades
Available in a wide range of colors and finishes, Smith & Cult’s chip-resistant formula goes on super shiny, with two coats recommended for an opaque finish. The brand makes cruelty-free nail polish that’s also vegan, with the 8-free formula. Ecowiser found it to be absolutely worth the money. It’s also worth mentioning that when our expert used it, the polish stayed longer than any other brand they’ve ever tried.
✅ Doesn’t contain. Dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate
👍 Available in 60+ shades
In addition to being vegan and cruelty-free, Sundays’ 10-free polish simplifies DIY manicures with its user-friendly brush, ensuring a hassle-free application. The nail polish glides on easily and you only need two coats. Furthermore, it dries quickly and shows resilience against chipping, making it a strong and healthy nail polish.
✅ Doesn’t contain TPHP, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, parabens, tert-butyl hydroperoxide
👍 Available in 70+ shades
Founded by a podiatric surgeon, Aila prioritizes nail health with its vegan, cruelty-free, gluten-free, and eco-friendly nail polish range, available in a spectrum of vibrant hues and neutrals. We recommend this brand for its non-toxic range of nail polishes and their lasting power. Even the lighter shades require fewer coats compared to other light-colored polishes.
✅ Doesn’t contain parabens, sulfates, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, triphenyl phosphate, xylene, bismuth oxychloride, ethyl tosylamide, methylisothiazolinone hydroquinone monomethyl ether, plant derivatives
👍 Available in 45+ shades
Orosa’s sustainable nail polish range has it all: a quick-dry formula, long-lasting wear for up to a week, and vibrant color options. The vegan and cruelty-free formula excludes 14 controversial ingredients, ensuring a safer manicure experience. This polish goes on so easily and dries quick, which Ecowiser found to be indeed admirable feature.
✅ Doesn’t contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, MEHQ/HQ, MIT, palm oil, parabens, animal-derived ingredients, gluten
👍 Available in 4 shades/season
Pacifica’s vegan nail polish range stands out for being free from sixteen toxins, ensuring a long-lasting finish which users love. Its flat brush design facilitates easy application, providing excellent coverage in just a few strokes. The vegan, plant-based formula is free of toxic additives but still glides onto nails easily, without clumping, bubbles, or streaking. This polish has impressive longevity, and it’s notable that a single coat lasted almost a week without requiring a touch-up.
✅ Doesn’t contain formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, acetone, TPHP, animal products, bisphenol A (BPA), sulfates, e-series glycol ethers, benzophenone 1, 2, nonylphenol ethoxylate
👍 Available in 28+ shades
Côte polishes offer a lasting shine without a laundry list of harsh ingredients. Not only is this polish 10-free, it’s the glossiest, longest-lasting formula we’ve ever tried. DIY manicures effortlessly apply streak-free, dry quickly, and last up to two weeks, and offers a gel-like sheen that garners countless compliments. Reviewers on Ecowiser’s panel echoed this sentiment, praising the vegan nail polish for its smooth, even application with minimal coats and its enduring longevity.
✅ Doesn’t contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, camphor, formaldehyde resin, TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, parabens, gluten
👍 Available in 12 shades
Founded by renowned nail artist Jin Soon Choi, this sustainable nail polish range has gained the approval of professionals across the industry. Choi’s belief that “nail polish should be as healthful and eco-friendly yet enduring as possible” is evident in her chip-proof, fast-drying, vegan-friendly, and 10-free formula. We included this in our list because of the vibrant color range, saturated finishes, and unique effects like chunky glitter, a rarity among other brands with green beauty products.
✅ Doesn’t contain formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate, parabens, lead
👍 Available in 90+ shades
Zoya has led the way in creating non-toxic nail lacquers, evolving from a 3-free formula to a 5-free formula, and now offering a 10-free formula. With over 550 shades available, Zoya likely has the exact color you’re looking for. The product has now become a go-to polish for a couple of Ecowiser editors who love the wide shade range and long-lasting formula. We love that the product stays chip-free for up to three weeks without needing a second coat.
✅ Doesn’t contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, TPHP, xylene, parabens, lead
👍 Available in 500+ shades
Summing Up!
We absolutely love these 10 nail polish brands and totally recommend switching if you aren’t already into toxic-free nail polish. This is a massive step towards a safer and more sustainable lifestyle. Choosing brands with green beauty products ensures that you enjoy beautiful nails minus the guilt!
Ready to embrace more cruelty-free glam options? Check out our vegan makeup brand recommendations.
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