Chemicals like formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate and toluene are known to be potentially dangerous to you – and the most commonplace one can find them is in nail polishes. But the good news is, customers on the hunt for clean, non-toxic nail polish alternatives can easily turn to the ones we have rounded below, which range from luxury buys to drugstore favourites. Besides barring the three ingredients listed above, these brands have upped the ante to remove even more unnecessary – and potentially hazardous – chemicals in nail polishes that range from products branded as five-free (they make do with substances such as formaldehyde resin) to a whopping 21-free.
Own a piece of Hermes by copping one of its eight-free nail polish formulas. The polishes are made with at least 71 per cent natural origin ingredients with a high concentration of ultra-fine pigments that leave an intense colour and glossy shine on the nails.
Dior’s nail polishes, on the other hand, tout a five-free formulation. The pigmented and high-shine nail polishes come in an array of bold neutral hues, all infused with nourishing, nail-protective peony and pistachio extracts.
Likewise, Chanel nail polishes have a five-free formula. The nail polish promises to be long-wearing, extra-fine and ultra-shiny. As part of the Spring/Summer 2023 makeup collection, there are two new colours to pick from – Watermelon and Rouge Cuir (above).
Sally Hansen created her namesake nail polish label in 1946 and the brand has quickly become of the most established names in the business. The Good. Kind. Pure. collection is a series of plant-based, vegan and 16-free polishes with a plant-based brush. The formula is also enriched with bamboo and marine algae to protect the nails.
Fans of beauty YouTube might recognise Lights Lacquer as the brainchild of YouTuber KathleenLights. She founded the women-led company in 2019 with nail polish formulas that are vegan, cruelty-free and 12-free. New collections and limited colours are released from time to time so you’ll never be out of fun and playful choices.
Zoya is well-loved within the non-toxic nail polish community for its affordable pricing and 10-free, vegan formula. It also promises to be long-wearing yet breathable and has an extensive shade range across solid colours, shimmers and metallic finishes.
With a 21-free formula, British nail label Nails Inc. likely has the cleanest, most non-toxic nail polish there is. The polish is made with 73 per cent plant-based ingredients and is also vegan, cruelty-free and halal-friendly. It is also built with a compostable cap.
Orly is another well-known American nail brand. Not only do they have a 13-free formulation, but the vegan and cruelty-free nail polish also contains argan oil, pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin C to nourish the nails. Another plus point? Orly’s polishes are halal-certified and suitable for ablution0-friendly.
Text: Ho Guo Xiong/Female
- TAGS:
- clean beauty
- nail polish
- non toxic