There’re way too many reasons to love manicured shiny nails coated with beautiful colours.
I’d say it’s one of the easiest way to accessorize any outfit and to set the mood for your look. Yet, those pretty little bottles in your beauty cabinets might have some dirty secrets that they don’t want you to know. Yep, I’m talking about those dirty 5 ingredients that are commonly found in nail polish formula which we’ve blogged about it here earlier. For those of you who’re new here, let us repeat this very important dirty 5 list as the health concerns they’re potentially linked to are simply beyond shocking:
The big three –
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): linked to cancer and connected to birth defects in studies
Formaldehyde: known human carcinogen
Toluene: cause birth defects and linked to developmental problems in children of pregnant women
Plus the other nasty two –
Formaldehyde Resin: possible allergen
Camphor: cause seizures and disorientation if used in large doses
Yikes! Who has time to deal with carcinogens and hormones disruptors when all we want are squeaky clean nails!
From our previous review post, we felt pretty overwhelmed by the amount of comments came in from you all being shocked by the fact that their favourite nail polish brands might contain some of these nasties. We’ve listened and we know you want the list. The list of toxin-free nail polish brands including water-based, 5 free and 3 free nail polish to guide your shopping as you walk through the cosmetic isles at the chemists. Here we have it, a list of brands that make nail polish safer and greener for us manicure addicts. #Amen.
♥ Water-based Nail Polish
What is water-based nail polish?
In water-based nail polish, chemical solvents are replaced by water. There are no Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor. The products consist mainly of water and colourants.
Suncoat Girl (reviewed here; they also sell a plant-based nail polish remover)
♥ 5 Free Nail Polish
What is 5-free nail polish?
It’s made without the 5 common chemicals found in nail polishes: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
♥ 3 Free Nail Polish
What is 3-free nail polish?
It’s made without the 3 common chemicals found in nail polishes: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) and Formaldehyde.
Designer Brands (reviewed here)
Mineral Fusion (4-free)
(last updated November 2015)
So tell me dear fellow green beauty junkies, have you ever looked into toxin-free options for your nail polish cabinets? Do you know any other 5-free, 3 free or water-based nail polish brands to add to this list? Share your comments here. We particularly love supporting indie nail polish brands that are doing the right thing to exclude nasty toxins in their formula. Keep in mind that this list is a work-in-progress one while we aim to compile a fairly comprehensive list with your help, so be sure to share and bookmark this page as we’ll constantly update the list with new brands!
Until next time, stay beautiful inside & out.
P.s. Love clean nail art as much as we do? SUBSCRIBE to our mailing list today to receive your FREE Lacy Girl Nail Art Tutorials ebook all created using toxin-free nail products!
Disclaimer: I co-founded 5-free nail polish brand Julisa. Some of the links included in the post are affiliate links that allow me to earn commission upon your purchase. Many thanks for your support to make providing free content to you all possible!
Thank you so much for including us in your round-up! We appreciate your support! Xx
You’re so welcome! Love supporting brands that take care of what goes into the bottles and in our bodies 🙂
I have been deeply searching for polish without harsh ingredients one company that sent me some products was http://www.prettywomenusa.com you can see some of there products on my blog that I have used
Hey Laura, thanks for pointing me to this brand that I haven’t heard of yet – keen to try! What’s your fave 3 free or 5 free brand so far? Are you going to switch to these toxin-free options entirely? For me I’ve been pretty determined and have trashed my Maybelline & L’oreal – it was hard at that moment but now whenever I look at those at the drug stores all I see is bucket of toxins rather than pretty colours – yikes!
Your most welcome, yes eventually I want all 4-5 free nail care and polish. Irefuse to use anything with formaldehyde resin in it. My favorite I am not sure of yet as I still have to try a couple that have been sent to me . Right now for treatments it is prettywomenusa 5 free and polish is pure ice which is 3 free
what is your favorite long lasting color and treatment or cuticle oil?
Sounds fantastic, I’m so keen to read your verdict about the other toxin free polish brands. 🙂 I use 100% pure jojoba oil for my very dry cuticles, I leave them in before going to bed and it simply works wonder for me. How’s your cuticle care routine like?
I use pure almond oil and sally hansen cuticle rehab right now,and CND cuticle away however the cnd does not work very well I am surprised. I also use A LOT of lotion daily, I have 32 oz bottles of lotions I use so much lol as I am prone to dry skin anyway. I use everyone lotion which I buy on amazon Everyone Body Lotion, Unscented, 32 Ounce
I’d be cautious about Sally Hansen since their nail polish formula are really bad & toxic, I would be hesitate to support businesses who refuse to go 5 free hmm 🙁
Yes i returned the sally hansen cuticle rehab as I am trying to use better natural stuff, but I cannot wear water based polish as i wash my hands a lot and need the staying power lol I have a whole box of nail polish I wont use now as the strong smells and ingredients are making me itch and my eyes burn. I recently looked into the mint nail polish looks interesting and the sparituals as I received a reply from them that polish does not have a strong smell, and they are supposedly 5 free we will see haha and 100 percent pure looks very interesting whats the smell of there’s ??The top coat especially and the horsetail base coat …I love chatting with you about nail stuff your awesome
If you click on the amazon link i added to my comment it will bring you to the all natural lotion I use for my self and family. that is my direct affiliate link.
What is your favorite long lasting polish or treatment you use?
Oh cool, I shall check it out! I rarely use anything other than water based polish these days, but I do have some 100% Pure polish at home that aremy next best options – their staying power is quite impressive!
Great list! I was shocked to learn that Wet and Wild is Big 3 Free. They are also cruelty free and some thing are vegan. I picked up their Matte top coat although I have yet to try it out! NYC is also big 3 free. Also both of these brands are are in the USA. If I see something is made in PRC (China) I usually put it back. I don’t think the quality control is there (I remember the big pet scare from tainted pet food made in China). I also think if polish is “vintage” maybe throw it out. Many things have been reformulated recently to be healthier. If you want to keep it, I”d read the label with a magnifying glass!