I love nail polish (obviously). My entire life, I have always enjoyed taking a few minutes to decorate my fingertips with every color of the rainbow, and all the glitter and glow-in-the-dark polishes in between. I definitely hoard more than my fair share of nail polish, with way too many colors to choose from (no shame). And I know I’m not alone when I say it’s exciting to stumble across a new shade unexpectedly—especially when it stays on for more than a day.
However, this fun little habit can unfortunately have unwelcome consequences on you and the environment. A majority of nail polish brands include a variety of confusing and harmful chemicals—which is not surprising if you’ve ever been victim to the smell that comes with making your nails looked polished and neat. Though the health consequences may be small on most people, everyone reacts differently to chemicals in everyday products.
Just like any other kind of paint, nail polish is composed of several chemicals that do more harm than good for the environment. The “Toxic Trio,” as they are often referred to, is particularly common in nail polish recipes and includes formaldehyde/methylene glycol, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). All of these chemicals can cause allergic reactions with symptoms such as headaches, nausea and irritation.
Luckily for all us, certain nail polish brands have taken this into consideration and advertise themselves as “3-Free”—meaning they don’t use any of the chemicals listed above. Some brands even go as far as advertising their “4-Free” and “5-Free” polishes, which exclude formaldehyde resin/ tosylamide and camphor. All of these chemical names might sound pretty confusing, and not all of them pose serious health concerns, but being aware of whether your favorite nail polish brands include these chemicals can be helpful to both you and the environment.
So, I have put together a list of eco-friendly nail polish brands (by price) both safe for you and sure to make your nails look just as dazzling as ever before.
1. Butter London – $10:
A pioneer of the 3-Free formula, Butter London includes a variety of unique, rich shades. Some shades include “Bossy Boots,” “Rosie Lee” and “Fiddlesticks.”
2. Zoya – $10:
Zoya was one of the first brands to begin production of toxin-free nail polishes revolutionizing the nail industry. This 5-Free brand includes a variety of seasonal shades, including “Marina,” “Cynthia” and “Dhara.”
3. Ginger + Liz – $12:
This vegan-friendly and non-toxic polish uses a 5-free formula and rich, bold colors with shining metallic finishes. Some shades include “Not on the First Date,” “Hot N’ Bothered” and “Who’s the Boss?”
4. Jenna Hipp – $12:
Known for its 5-Free formula, Jenna Hipp has dedicated itself to creating eco-friendly nail colors and promoting healthy hands and nails. The brand is also known as the Celebrity Green Nail Stylist and it’s vegan! Some of my favorite shades include “Ooh La Latté,” “Throwing Shade” and “This is My Jam.”
5. Priti NYC – $12:
Focused on organic products and a green way of living, Priti NYC uses a 3-Free, vegan formula in their nail polishes. Shades range from sophisticated to romantic and include “Baby Blue Eyes,” “Hedgehog Rose” and “Scotch Thistle.”
6. Scotch Naturals – $15:
This water-based, hypoallergenic, vegan, cruelty-free, fragrance-free (and even gluten-free) brand of nail polish is free of toxins and meant to be child-friendly. Colors range from “Macbeth’s Dream” to “Blood and Sand” to “Smoky Martini.”
7. LVX – $16:
This vegan and cruelty-free brand uses a 5-free formula to create an eco-friendly polish with shades such as “Laguna Sky Blue,” “Mineral Light Grey” and “Monarch.”
8. Sheswai – $16:
Not animal-tested and using a 3-Free formula, Sheswai polish comes in a bottle with a cap made of sustainably harvested wood, making this polish eco-friendly inside and out. Fun shades include “Honey Fox,” “Yowza” and “Dig It.”
9. Julep – $18:
This toxin-free brand promotes green beauty products with its 4-Free nail polish formula, including shades like “Francis Celery Green,” “Pressed Marionberry” and “Climbing Ivy Crème.”
10. RGB – $18:
Finally, one of the most well-known eco-friendly nail polish brands, RGB is similar to Zoya and uses a 5-Free formula that is vegan, cruelty-free and made in the USA. Simple but stylish, colors include “Nightfall,” “Peacock” and “Cognac.”
*All images from Google Images.