Everyone wants a beautiful manicure – but when harsh ingredients are involved, that mani can quickly turn ugly. Find out what ingredients to avoid in nail polish and the nail polish ingredients to look for instead in our latest informative article.
We are passionate about ingredient safety at Polish Pops. Our nail wraps are vegan, cruelty-free, and 14-free. They are safe from harsh chemicals without compromising on performance. Polish Pops nail polish wraps are your go-to option when health is a priority.
Explore our wide selection of gel and regular nail wraps and find the color, design, or pattern that speaks to you. Polish Pops offers you a salon-quality manicure at a fraction of the cost and in no time at all. Say goodbye to harmful chemicals and hello to gorgeous nails!
Basic Nail Polish Ingredients
What nail polish ingredients should you expect when looking at a label? Here are some of the standard components you will see in liquid nail polishes in your local beauty department.
Film Formers (Nitrocellulose)
Nitrocellulose is a film-forming polymer and is the main ingredient in most nail polish. It creates a solid film on the nail when the solvent evaporates through either drying or curing.
Plasticizers
Many nail polish companies add plasticizers such as camphor and dibutyl phthalate (also called DBP) to make the nail polish more flexible and less brittle when it dries – but both of these chemicals are linked to adverse reactions and can be dangerous for your health.
Solvents
The solvent is what keeps the nail polish liquid while it is still in the bottle. Common solvents in drug store nail polish include ethyl acetate and butyl acetate. You will also see these ingredients in liquid nail polish removers even though they have been linked to irritation and dizziness.
Resins
Resins are used as nail polish ingredients to improve glossiness, durability, and shine. Common resins used include tosylamide and formaldehyde resin. Yes, you read that right: There is formaldehyde in many popular nail polish brands!
Pigments and Colorants
Pigments and colorants are added to nail polish in order to obtain the desired shade. Some common additives include iron oxides and titanium oxides. Mica is also often added to shimmery nail polish. Looking for formulas with natural colorants is always the best option.
What Ingredients to Avoid in Nail Polish
Wondering what ingredients to avoid in nail polish? There is a laundry list of dangerous substances that are added all too often to your favorite polish bottles. Some of the ingredients in nail polish to avoid include formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, and more.
The easiest hack to avoid toxic nail polish ingredients? Look for labels that say 14-free. This means that a product is free of 14 major toxins. (Hint: Polish Pops products are 14-free and vegan!)
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients in nail polish to avoid together…
Formaldehyde
Formeldehyde is a preservative and nail hardener that is a known carcinogen (a cancer-causing substance). This colorless gas is the source of the pungent smell we typically associate with nail polish and nail salons. It is a hazardous pollutant that can cause irritation, respiratory issues, asthma, skin allergies, and worse.
Formaldehyde Resin
Formaldehyde resin is a byproduct of formaldehyde and is one of the key ingredients in nail polish to avoid. It can cause severe skin irritation and allergies. Formaldehyde resin may be the culprit if you believe you have an allergy to gel polish or have experienced skin reactions.
Toluene
Toluene is one of the nail polish ingredients often used as a solvent. It is known to cause dizziness, headaches, and even neurological damage with prolonged exposure.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a member of the so-called “toxic trio” along with formaldehyde and toluene. It is used as a plasticizer and has been linked to disruptions in the reproductive and endocrine systems. DBP is especially important to avoid if you are pregnant or trying to conceive.
Camphor
Camphor is often added to gel nails to create that high-gloss shine – but it can also cause dizziness and nausea if inhaled. Camphor inhalation is one of the reasons you may see nail salon technicians wearing masks while at work.
Xylene
Xylene is a solvent used to prevent nail polish from getting “gloopy” in the bottle. There is significant research showing that it is a possible carcinogen, and it is a proven skin irritant.
Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) is used as a plasticizer in nail polish and is also common in electronics for its flame-retardant properties. It is not safe for human health and has been shown to interfere with the reproductive and hormonal systems. It can also contribute to metabolic slowdowns and obesity.
Ethyl Tosylamide
This is one of the nail polish ingredients added for fast-drying solutions. It is banned in European cosmetics and nail polish due to its potential for endocrine disruption and skin sensitivity. Using ethyl tosylamide can also build resistance to antibiotics.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives used to prevent bacteria in mold. They are considered safe in very small quantities – but research shows that ongoing exposure to parabens can present risks for both male and female reproductive systems.
Synthetic Fragrance
Synthetic fragrances are often a hotbed of other problematic chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They can irritate skin and are sometimes dangerous to breathe in.
What About the Nail Polish Remover Ingredients?
Nail health is not just about choosing the right nail polish ingredients. It is also important to read the label on your nail polish remover in order to avoid toxic chemicals. Here are some ingredients in nail polish to avoid on the remover side…
Acetone
Acetone is safe in small amounts but is better avoided to reduce the risk of skin irritation, eye irritation, dizziness, and dryness. There are acetone-free nail polish removers out there. Better yet, choose the Polish Pops alternative to gel nails for an easy to apply and simple to remove solution that is 100% acetone free.
Ethyl Acetate
Ethyl acetate has a slightly sweet smell and is considered dangerous if consumed. It is considered safe for topical use but requires care around children if in liquid form.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol is more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. It is safe for topical use but only in well-ventilated areas. It is also extremely toxic if ingested.
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is one of the most highly toxic nail polish ingredients in removers. It is unsafe for use without personal protective equipment and can cause skin irritation and even throat burning if inhaled. It is more common in older nail polish or remover.
Added Fragrances and Dyes
Opting for nail polish removers without synthetic fragrances and dyes is always the best choice. The hidden chemicals in these components can lead to skin irritation and respiratory issues.
What Nail Polish Ingredients Are in Polish Pops?
Polish Pops products are focused on providing you with salon-quality manicures minus the harmful chemicals. All of our nail wraps and products are 14-free and are made without the following toxic ingredients…
We never use phthalates, toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, ethyltosylamide, triphenylphosphate, colophoneum, organic Halides, parabens, silicone, fragrances, or animal derived ingredients. And our products are never tested on animals!
Nail Polish Wraps
We have carefully investigated what ingredients to avoid in nail polish and created our alternative to acrylic nails with safety and health at the forefront. Here are the ingredients you will find in our nail polish wraps:
- Polyacrylic acid
- Polyurethane-11
- Cellulose acetate butyrate
- Adipic acid
- Neopentyl glycol
- Trimellitic anhydride copolymer
- Triethyl citrate
- Pigment
You can find product-specific lists of ingredients on each product page.
Semi-Cured Gel Nail Wraps
Our semi-cured gel nail wraps also stay away from the basic list of what ingredients to avoid in nail polish. Here are the nail polish ingredients in these gel nail alternatives:
- Polyacrylic acid
- Acrylates copolymer
- Glycerine propoxylate triacrylate
- Isopropylthioxanthone
You will notice that the main items on the list of what ingredients to avoid in nail polish are missing from all of our products. Find product-specific lists of ingredients on each product page.
Upgrade Today!
The Polish Pops nail kit has everything you need to achieve a gorgeous manicure at home with a fraction of the time and money you would spend at a salon. Your health is our priority – we ensure that all of our products skip those ingredients in nail polish to avoid.
Explore our full selection of options online today and find the peace of mind you need to fully enjoy your next manicure.
Wrapping Up Our Guide on Ingredients to Avoid in Nail Polish
The list of what ingredients to avoid in nail polish is long – but Polish Pops products ensure that you have a clean bill of health. Stay away from harsh chemicals and choose our safe and healthy nail polish wraps instead. You can book your next mani at home with plenty of regular polish, gel nail art, and other options to choose from.
There is no need to settle for nail polish and salon manicures that irritate your skin and can cause serious health problems down the road. You deserve better – and Polish Pops offers exactly that. Discover our better-for-you nail wrap options today.
Frequently asked questions
Is nail polish unhealthy?
Standard nail polishes can be unhealthy for you due to toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, dibutyl phthalate and toluene.
What is the main ingredient in nail polish?
The main ingredient in most nail polishes is nitrocellulose. This is a film-former that creates the nail polish shell once the solvents evaporate. Nitrocellulose is safe for your nails – other harsh additives are the ones that cause problems.
What chemicals should be avoided in nail polish?
We advise looking for nail polish options that are 14-free, meaning they do not include these harsh chemicals: Polyacrylic acid, polyurethane-11, cellulose acetate butyrate, adipic acid, neopentyl glycol, trimellitic anhydride copolymer, triethyl citrate, butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, pigment.
What is the least toxic nail polish?
Polish Pops offers non-toxic nail polish options that are vegan, cruelty-free, and 14-free. We leave out the harsh chemicals so that you do not have to worry about damaging your skin and nails. Our products also do not require nail polish remover – so even fewer chemicals!
