Non Toxic Nail Polish For Adults

Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by Ellen Christian

Are you looking for non toxic nail polish brands for adults? I see lots of cute nail polish brands for kids that are non toxic. But I don’t see as many for adults. I love doing my nails but I worry about the chemicals that are in some nail polishes.

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Non Toxic Nail Polish

Did you know that many mainstream nail polishes contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor? Many of these are known carcinogens and are concerns to many people. If you aren’t careful about which nail polish you choose, you might unknowingly be using a brand that contains these chemicals.

There are a number of non toxic nail polish brands that are free of these harmful chemicals. So, it’s definitely possible to paint your nails and add your favorite nail polish designs in a way that doesn’t expose you to possible carcinogens.

What is the best non toxic nail polish?

There are several popular nail polish brands that are non-toxic. Here are a few to get you started. These are all five free which means that they do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and camphor.

Is OPI nail polish non toxic?

OPI and Essie are three free which means that they don’t contain formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate. However, they do contain camphor and formaldehyde resin which are concerning to many people. For a true non toxic nail polish, choose one of the five free brands above.

Nearly all of the popular nail polish brands you see at your local beauty or drug store are three free. That means that brands like OPI, Essie, Wet ‘n’ Wild, American Apparel, and Sally Hansen don’t contain three of the five concerning ingredients.

Is formaldehyde in nail polish harmful?

Formaldehyde is used as a hardener in nail polish which is why it is in so many brands. Research suggests that formaldehyde in small amounts may not be dangerous. However, regular exposure to this chemical can cause cancer of the throat, nose, and blood. It’s up to you to decide whether you prefer a three-free or five-free nail polish.

Where can I find safe nail polish?

Your local retailers should carry many of the three-free nail polish brands. If you want one of the five-free nail polish brands, you may need to turn to a beauty store like Ulta or shop on Amazon.

Which of these brands stays on the best?

I’ve tried many of these non toxic nail polish brands and some work better than others. Because I don’t do my nails all the time, I want a polish that will last for more than a day or two. There is nothing more frustrating than painting your nails only to have them chip off in a day or two.

Because formaldehyde is used as a hardener, some safe brands of polish just don’t last as long as traditional polishes. The polish tends to chip off more quickly. But, I can say that I have used both Zoya and Deborah Lippmann with great success.

If you’re hoping to try a five-free nail polish brand, you will probably find the greatest range of colors with Zoya polishes. You can find regular, glitter, and matte nail polishes in a huge range of colors.

Do nails need to breathe between polishes?

You may have heard that your nails need to breathe between polishes in order to be healthy. But, that is actually not true. Your nails get their nutrients from your blood, not from the air. So using a non toxic nail polish every day should not be a concern. However, if your nails are dry or brittle or otherwise damaged, it might be a good idea to give your nails a break. Learn more here about healthy nails.