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Looking for non-toxic nail polish can be tough because of confusing marketing terms and a multitude of companies competing for your dollar. Finding a brand that you can trust is the first step, finding a place to buy it is the next.
This article will teach you what brands are best for avoiding toxins, as well as where to buy non-toxic nail polish.
More and more nail polish brands are removing toxic chemicals from their products. You will see terms such as, "3-free" or "10-free". It seems that companies want to one-up their competitors by having the biggest "free" list.
What Does "3-Free" Mean?
3-free means that the top three toxic nail polish chemicals (formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and toluene) are removed from the formula. 5-free will have five toxic ingredients removed. Brands keep adding to the list of ingredients they are free of - mostly for marketing purposes.
For me, I want more than a nail polish labeled "10-free" I want a brand I can trust to be transparent and committed to creating the healthiest nail polish possible.
The brands I feature here go beyond taking toxins out of their products, they are transparent about their ingredients, they do not try to deceive their customers by making their "free of" list the longest in the industry, and they make great nail polish that their customers love.
Different Types of Nail Polish
- Solvent-Based - simple solutions of nitrocellulose resins dispersed in solvents.
- Water-Based - use an emulsion resin in the form of billions of tiny particles suspended in water
Below we will go over our favorite low toxin nail polish brands as well as where to buy them online.
Nail Polish Chemicals
Before we go on, let's get one thing straight. It is not possible to make nail polish without chemicals. There is no such thing as chemical-free nail polish.
To have a functional nail polish, you must use chemicals. The following brands have worked hard to use the healthiest chemicals possible while still maintaining a working nail polish that is worth buying.
Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands
Solvent-Based
Solvent- based polishes are simple solutions of nitrocellulose resins dispersed in solvents. Nitrocellulose forms a very hard film as the solvents evaporate from the base.
The solvents are what gives nail polish its bad smell. These same solvents are used to remove the nail polish.
Aila Cosmetics
- Vegan
- Gluten free
- Developed by Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon Dr. Cary Gannon
- Aila uses Benzophenone-1 as their solvent. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has deemed Benzophenone-1 as, "safe for use in cosmetics and personal care products".
Price: $17 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Parabens
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Triphenol phosphate
- Sulfates
Where to Buy
Habit Cosmetics
- Naturally strengthening polish made with Myrrh Extract
- Cruelty-Free
- Made in the USA
- Sustainable packaging made with a bamboo overcap. Packaged in FSC Certified paperboard produced using sustainable forestry.
- PETA-approved Vegan
Price: $18 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Parabens
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Triphenol phosphate
- Fragrances
- Xylene
Where to Buy
Priti NYC
- Over 100 different shades
- Made in the USA
- Offers a recycling program for old nail polish
- Fast drying, chip resistant, contain a UV inhibitor, and are extremely durable and glossy.
Price: $15 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Parabens
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Triphenol phosphate
- Xylene
Where to Buy
tenoverten
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Made in USA
- Long-lasting colors that promote stronger and healthier nails
- A unique mix of neutrals, brights, deeps, and metallics, tenoverten polishes are designed to be smooth and streak-free.
Price: $18 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Ethyl Tosylamide
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Triphenol phosphate
- Xylene
Where to Buy
Sienna Byron Bay
- Made in Australia
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Wooden caps made from local non-native sustainable timber
- hand mixed in small batches
Price: $25 AUD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Ethyl Tosylamide
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Xylene
- Benzophenone-1
Where to Buy
LVX
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Gluten Free
- Each season they release the hottest collections by translating prominent runway colors based on emerging trends in high fashion to create custom LVX color palettes.
Price: $16 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Triphenol phosphate
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Xylene
- Parabens
Where to Buy
Ella + Mila
- Vegan
- Peta Certified Cruelty-Free
- Made in USA
- Color range is a constant evolution of current colors
- Chip-resistant, quick dry and high shine
Price: $10.50 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Triphenol phosphate
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Xylene
Where to Buy
Intensae
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Designed in Europe, made in USA
Price: £14.95
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Dibutyl Phthalate
- Xylene
- Parabens
Where to Buy
Zoya
- Huge selection of colors in various finishes
- The first brand to remove toxic ingredients such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP (dibutyl phthalate) from its formulations
Price: $10 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Dibutyl Phthalate
Where to Buy
Kure Bazaar
- made of 85% natural ingredients, including wood pulp, wheat, cotton, potatoes and corn.
- Kure Bazaar nail polishes glide on smooth, slick and shiny, come in a variety of on-trend shades, and last as long as regular nail polish.
Price: $16 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Dibutyl Phthalate
Where to Buy
Treat Collection
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Made in USA
- Over 60 shades to choose from
Price: $18 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Dibutyl Phthalate
Where to Buy
NCLA
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- High shine luxury nail lacquers
- Made in USA
Price: $16 USD
Free Of:
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde resin
- Toluene
- Camphor
- Dibutyl Phthalate
Where to Buy
Water-Based
Water-based nail polishes are free from the typical nail polish smell. They are low in VOC's.
Water-based polishes use an emulsion resin in the form of billions of tiny particles suspended in water. As the water evaporates, the particles touch each other and form a hard film which is no longer soluble in water.
Water-based nail polishes take longer to cure than solvent-based nail polishes and they need to be removed after one week or they will become difficult to remove. If you are looking for a nail polish without the harsh smell, water-based is the way to go.
Water-based nail polishes can be removed with rubbing alcohol or vodka/grain alcohol.
Acquarella
- Cruelty-Free
- Vegan
- Virtually odorless, dries quickly, and has excellent shine and wear, without a base or top coat.
- Free of Petrochemical solvents
- Made in USA
Price: $16 USD
Free Of:
- All solvents and toxic chemicals.
Where to Buy
Honeybee Gardens
- Available in 18 colors
- Gluten free
- Odorless, non-toxic earth-friendly formula
- Long wearing fabulous colors
Price: $12 USD
Free Of:
- All solvents and toxic chemicals.
- FD&C colors
Where to Buy
Well there you have it, a list of non-toxic nail polish brands and where to buy them. I hope this article has helped you on the quest for a healthier nail polish.
What is your favorite nail polish color? Leave your questions in the comments below, we always answer.
Yours In Beauty,
Andrea
Hi ,
I’m looking for a non toxic nail polish , wich one do you recommend , I live in Surrey B.C. , Canada .
Thank you
Hi Edith, I would recommend any of these brands (they are available on the Canadian Amazon, Click the brand name to see the prices)
tenoverten
LVX
Zoya
Loved to read the article. Love the non-toxic range too. Also please recommend any lip crayons for kids that are nontoxic.
Hi Sarah, there are some non-toxic lip crayons available, though not specifically made for kids. ILIA has a non-toxic lip crayon that I love.