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😷 Do you recognize that strong, recognizable smell that drifts outside onto the street from nail salons?
Don’t inhale it! It can be a sign of airborne toxic chemicals. Nail salons contain air quality that is hazardous to both customers and workers.
🙅I don’t support nail salons. More than 375,000 nail technicians work in salons across the United States and face health hazards. According to the United States Department of Labor:
“Workers exposed to chemicals found in glues, polishes, removers, emollients, and other salon products may experience negative health effects such as asthma and other respiratory illnesses, skin disorders (e.g. allergic contact dermatitis), liver disease, reproductive loss, and cancer. Nail salon workers can be exposed to biological hazards if they come into contact with infected skin, nails, or blood from a co-worker or client. Diseases that can result from exposure to infected blood include hepatitis and AIDS. Nail salon workers can also get fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot, from clients.” Nail salons are a hazard to us and to the workers. Do not bring your kids into the salon. Paint your nails and your children’s nails at home in a ventilated area, using the safest nail polishes that you can possibly find.💅
The ingredients listed below are the most toxic in nail polish. So avoid that if you find any of these in your nail polish. The “toxic trio”:
3-free nail polish
❌ Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): An endocrine disruptor, dibutyl phthalate is shown to affect the reproductive system and is linked to cancer, infertility, uterine cancer, testicular cancer & fetal defects, just to name a few! DBP has been used as a plasticizer and solvent to increase wear. DBP has a rating of 10 (the most toxic) in the EWG Skin Deep database. It is a phthalate and acts as a plasticizer.
❌ Formaldehyde: Classified as a known carcinogen, formaldehyde is often used as a preservative, nail hardener, and strengthener in conventional polishes.
❌ Toluene: A human reproductive toxin. Included in some polishes as a solvent to smooth application, it has been linked to impaired human reproduction and development, impaired breathing, being harmful to the nervous system, and nausea.
5-free nail polish (all above plus) :
❌ Formaldehyde resins: A derivative of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin is often used as a hardener and, in large doses, can be a skin allergen.
❌ Camphor: Added to some polishes for high shine, camphor can cause allergic reactions in large doses, causing irritation, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Camphor – Poisonous & can cause liver damage.
10-free nail polish (all above plus) :
❌ Xylene: Used by some brands to help polish from getting gloppy, xylene is also a known allergen and a possible carcinogen. Xylene- an ancient ingredient found in polishes – damages the central nervous system.
❌ Parabens: Used as preservatives, parabens get a bad rep for having estrogen-mimicking effects which may trigger hormonal problems.
❌ Fragrance: toxic undisclosed chemicals mix. It can contain thousands of untested chemicals
❌ Phthalates: or phthalate esters, are esters of phthalic acid. They are mainly used as plasticizers
❌ Animal ingredients: ingredients derived from animals.
30-free nail polish :
❌ Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde releasers (e.g. resin and donors), all animal derived ingredients (e.g. Carmine), Sulfonamide (e.g. Ethyl Tosylamide), Xylene, Toluene, Phthalates (e.g. Dibutyl Phthalate), Camphor, Triphenyl Phosphate, Triclosan, Acetone, Cyclic silicones, Colophonium/Rosin, Hydroquinone, Diethylhexyl adipate, Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide, Synthetic fragrance, Benzophenones, Mineral Oils / Waxes, ethoxylated ingredients, EDTA, Microplastics (UNEP definition), 4-Methoxyphenol (MEHQ), Lead and its compounds, Nano Pigments, Sulfates, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Ethanolamines, Controversial mineral pigments (e.g. Bismuth Oxychloride, Chromium Oxide Greens and non-certified Mica), Parabens.
Avoid these, too:
❌ TPHP: triphenyl phosphate is also known as TPP, research suggests it causes changes in hormone regulation, metabolism, and reproductive systems. It has been used in polish as a plasticizer which makes the polish flexible yet durable.
❌ Ethyl Tosylamide
❌ Solvents: ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, may cause drowsiness or dizziness. According to the European Chemicals Agency database (ECHA)
❌ Diacetone alcohol: it can cause respiratory issues and even damage to the liver and kidneys, diacetone alcohol is suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child according to ECHA.
❌ Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate: film-forming ingredients, it poses a risk of sensitization from misuse of the products
❌ Nitrocellulose: possible allergenic
❌ Tert-butyl hydroperoxide
❌ Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer: acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate seem ok but may increase the risk of respiratory irritation.
Greenwashing nail polish brands claim to be “10-free”: free of DBP, formaldehyde, toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, Xylene, Parabens, Fragrances, Phthalates, and Animal ingredients. But then they still use
❌ Benzophenone-1: Human endocrine disruptor – strong evidence. Significant wildlife and environmental disruption. In vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity; increased uterine weight in immature rats. Linked to endocrine disruption, toxic ingredient, UV absorber, used to block color fading, is linked to endocrine disruption carcinogen to the California EPA’s Proposition 65 list
These are greenwashing nail polish brands. So avoid that!
✅ I collected the most natural and safe nail polish brands I was able to find, without the toxins of the traditional solvent-based polish, and more than just “10-free”! Nail Polishes listed here are also Biodegradable, Gluten-free, Soy-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free Vegan, and Cruelty-free and do not contain any animal by-products.
There are just a few brands I recommend brands and they are all listed here.
Our demand and choice for safer products will shape the market giving greenwashing companies no option but to offer better products and be more transparent with the consumers!
💅When going to a nail salon bring your safer nail polish with you.
The majority of nail salons are a smelly and toxic environment
It is very important that we consider the safety standards for those who work in nail salons that are exposed every day to those fumes, we need to demand cleaner, safer nail salons for everyone.
Always consider safe options for yourself and those around you.
My number one nail polish recommendations are:
🌿 Kapa Nui is the best with no odor, eco-packaging, and cute colors. 10% off promo code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
🌿 Poofy Organics nail polish 10% off promo code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
Shop with my links to support my research! 💖
10% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
💅🏻This is my favorite and my number one nail polish recommendation! Many of you are chemical sensitive like me and I highly recommend this brand as it has virtually no odor! Usually, when I wear nail polish I have to apply it outdoors to reduce exposure to toxic air indoors, but with this, I was so impressed it didn't smell at all, like any other brand I tried before!
💚 For this reason, it is my number one recommendation!
Their colors are so beautiful, and their packaging is the most eco-friendly one I have seen on the market with their bamboo applicator.
🌺 Made in Hawaii where their collection gets their inspiration from.
I also like their smaller travel-size bottles, easy to carry, and store, and less product waste for unused or expired products.
Featuring here:
Pua Melia
Nudie
Strawberry guava
Mochi
INGREDIENTS: water, acrylates emulsion, mineral pigments (may contain red and/or violet lakes, ultramarine blue, and/or titanium, chromium, and iron oxides)
💝 Featuring here fav Huella shades. 🍃Huella nail polish is one of my favorite non-toxic nail polish brands!
💚Our demand and choice for safer products will shape the market, giving greenwashing companies no option than to offer better products and be more transparent with the consumers!
Here is Huella, which is 15-Free Vegan Nail Polish and Benzophenone-1 free.
💅Super cute packaging, beautiful shades, and very popular in the organic world!
Great for Organic Valentine’s Day,
Mother's Day gift
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Phthalic Anhydride / Trimellitic Anhydride / Glycols Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Adipic Acid / Fumaric Acid / Phthalic Acid / Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Citric Acid
💝Valentine’s Day is coming and 💅🏻This is my favorite and my number one nail polish recommendation! Kapa Nui is my number one nail polish recommendation! Many of you are chemical sensitive like me and I highly recommend this brand as it has virtually no odor! 🌿 Made with just a few eco-friendly ingredients. the base is made with acrylate copolymer which is made from carbon, nitrogen, and water. It degrades back into naturally occurring forms of these elements. ✅ Water-based, cruelty-free, vegan, no-odor ✅ Made in Hawaii ✅ Benzophenone-1 free Many of you are chemical sensitive like me and I highly recommend this brand as it has virtually no odor! Usually, when I wear nail polish I have to apply it outdoors to reduce exposure to toxic air indoors, but with this, I was so impressed it didn't smell at all, like any other brand I tried before!
This is one of my favorite non-toxic nail polish brands. ✅ 15-free nail polish, and it is important to check that they don’t contain: There are just a few nail polish brands I recommend, and Huella is one of these Our demand and choice for safer products will shape the market, giving greenwashing companies no option but to offer better products and be more transparent with consumers! Which brand do you use? 💚
💅🏻 15-Free™ vegan nail lacquer uses an innovative formula, specifically designed to give you flawless coverage & brilliant shine. These versatile, chip-resistant colors are handcrafted without the use of the common toxic-15 ingredients. Each bottle of lacquer includes a professional-grade flat brush to give you an even application with every stroke.
🌷 This Professional Nail Lacquer is handcrafted without the use of the following toxic & questionable ingredients commonly found in other nail polishes.
10% off code: PRETTYORGANCGIRL
🌿 Poofy Organics Nail Polishes.
Poofy Organics Nail Polish is made with safer ingredients. Suitable for pregnant women and recommended as a natural nail polish for kids.
Apply two coats on nails for full coverage.
For better results use Poofy Organics 2-in-1 Base Top Coat to protect the nail and the color.
✅ Safe for pregnant women and kids (4+)
✅ Durable
✅ Non-yellowing formula
✅ Cruelty free/Not tested on animals
✅ Packages in 100% recyclable packaging
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid, Titanium Dioxide, Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide, Mica, Iron Oxides, Tin Oxides. May Contain: Acetyl Tributyl, Stearalkonium Hectorite, or Citric Acid
💅🏻Kapa Nui Nail Polish Remover is an innovative formula that only has one highly effective non-toxic ingredient. Our remover works on all polishes ~ on natural nails. No mess: the gel formula is easy to apply and remove with minimal odor.
It doesn't dry your nails or cuticles, wash them off with water.
💚A must-have for any mani and pedi regimen. (not for acrylic nail use).
Acetone, alcohol & paraben free, low odor. With minimal odor, can be used at work, travel, and at home around kids.
Earth friendly. In Hawaii, we cherish our environment and care that all our products do no harm to the water or land environments.
The pump dispenser dispenses only what you need on the nail and stays in place for wiping off cleanly.
Made in Hawaii with Aloha. Vegan & cruelty-free and packaged with Earth in mind.
INGREDIENTS: 1,3-dioxolane
💅🏻 Kapa Nui Nails 100% Organic Cuticle Oil is formulated to fill the unique needs of our cuticles which are extremely important for healthy nail growth.
Formulated to fill the unique needs of our cuticles which are extremely important for healthy nail growth.
They use the same Kukui Nut oil and Monoi-infused coconut oil the ancient Hawaiians and Polynesians used to keep their skin supple and healthy in the sun and salt-water-filled environments.
🌿 Monoi is Tahitian for “scented oil” It is a fragrant elixir that is made by steeping the petals of Tahitian gardenias in coconut oil which gives you a beautiful tropical fragrance with no artificial ingredients.
💚 This formula is high in oleic and linoleic fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E content providing softening, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory properties in a softly scented, fast, and deeply penetrating but lightweight oil.
INGREDIENTS: Organic jojoba oil, organic kukui nut oil, organic monoi oil, and organic vitamin E oil.
💅🏻Kapa Nui This is my favorite and my number one nail polish recommendation! Many of you are chemical sensitive like me and I highly recommend this brand as it has virtually no odor! Usually, when I wear nail polish I have to apply it outdoors to reduce exposure to toxic air indoors, but with this, I was so impressed it didn't smell at all, like any other brand I tried before! For this reason, it is my number one recommendation!
💚Here is their organic green nail polish collection, great for St. Patrick's Day or Christmas organic stocking stuffers.
I also like their smaller bottles easy to carry, and store, and less product waste for unused or expired products.
Kapoho
Laukahi
Naupaka
💅🏻Their signature formulas are cruelty-free, vegan, and free of the major toxins associated with nail polish: formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, camphor, formaldehyde resin and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), making our products the cleanest, safest nail polish available. Bottles are crafted from Italian glass and feature top-of-the-line brushes, allowing for even strokes and accurate application.
🌿1 tree planted for every order
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Cl 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Silica, Etocrylene, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Hydrated Silica, Cl 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Aluminum Hydroxide, Hydrogen Dimethicone, Cl 15850 (Red 6 Lake), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Diacetone Alcohol, Phosphoric Acid.
💅🏻Huella Green Non-toxic Nail Polish: 15-Free™ vegan nail lacquer uses an innovative formula, specifically designed to give you flawless coverage & brilliant shine. These versatile, chip-resistant colors are handcrafted without the use of the common toxic-15 ingredients.
Great for St. Patrick's Day
💅 Aesthetics and performance in beauty products are not enough! We need to judge products also by their ingredients!! 👉 Here is what you need to avoid in greenwashing nail polish brands: 😤 Many “clean” nail polish brands include this ingredient in their shades!! Here it is: ❌ Benzophenone-1: Avoid it!! ⚠️ It is used to block color fading, it is linked to endocrine disruption and carcinogen, as reported by the California Proposition 65 warning. ⚠️ Skin toxicant ⚠️ Estrogenic in vitro test ⚠️ Increased uterine weight in immature rats ⚠️ 🌎 Wildlife and environmental disruptor You call this clean beauty ⁉️ Don’t buy it, return it, if you can and tell them why! 💚Our demands and choices for safer products will shape the market, giving greenwashing companies no option but to offer better products and be more transparent with the consumers! 🍃Huellabeauty is currently my favorite nail polish brand!
15% off code: PRETTYORGANICGIRL
🌿 Bare Hand Organic The Dry Gloss Manicure Kit for you healthiest natural hands and feet nails.
Packed in a vegan leather case. The Polisher and Cuticle Oil hydrate, condition cuticles, and add a natural shine—with only the purest ingredients. The Polisher’s glass and mineral blend gently bind keratin cells with no chipping and no dry time needed.
Use The Polisher by applying gentle but firm pressure across the nail in short strokes. Once shined, use the brush pen to apply a thin coat of The Cuticle Oil to the nail bed and cuticle. Repeat weekly for the Polisher and daily for the Cuticle Oil.
✅ The only natural nail kit that gives you both conditioned cuticles and a truly significant shine.
It includes:
INGREDIENTS: Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Olive Squalane, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Vitus Vinifera (Grape) Seed oil, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil, Hippophae Rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) Fruit Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract.
🌿 Bare Hands The Mani Pedi Pairing for you healthiest natural hands and feet nails.
This organic manicure and organic pedicure kits are packed in a vegan leather case with everything you need to shine fingers and toes, plus targeted moisture for cuticles and heels.
The Dry Gloss Manicure features the glass and mineral blend Polisher and comes with a Citrine cuticle oil pen and orange wood sticks for cuticle pushing.
The Natural Pedicure focuses on a foot file with precise, high-performing abrasion and an occlusive-forward balm that multi tasks to soften feet or as a day mask for hands.
✅ The only natural manicure and pedicure kit that gives you both conditioned cuticles and a truly significant shine.
The Dry Gloss Manicure kit
• Vegan pouch • The Polisher (for shined nails) • The Citrine Cuticle Oil • 2 wooden push sticks • 1 fabric chamois to stay tidy
The Natural Pedicure kit—
• The glass foot file • Silicone protective case • Verbena foot balm in a twist-up tube
🌷LastRound are reusable rounds made of a shape-shifting fabric that feels just like regular cotton rounds when wet.
These organic reusable cotton rounds are crafted from unique fabric that mimics traditional cotton rounds once damp. Each set 7 reusable rounds, effectively replacing over 1750 disposable rounds. Sustainability, comfort and performance.
The case is made from recycled Ocean Bound Plastic that has been collected from beaches and riverbeds. The packaging is sustainable and made from Cradle to Cradle certified cardboard.
🍃Feels just as good to use as regular cotton rounds. Just add a splash of water to soften it. To remove your organic makeup with an organic makeup remover, to apply organic facial toner or organic rosewater, to remove organic nail polish with organic nail polish remover.
Both sides of the rounds are textured so that you can get the right amount of natural exfoliation.LastRound doesn’t shed any lint, fluff, or cotton particles.
🍃They will feel just as lovely to use as regular single-use rounds, but with the added benefit of also being better for the planet. They have a textured surface and great absorption, without eating all of your products.
MATERIAL: LastRound is round with an epic combination of 70% wood fibers and 30% cotton fibers. Contains 1x Case Made From Recycled Ocean Bound Plastic.
🌷LastSwab is a reusable and sustainable alternative to cotton swabs. It helps combat the billions of single-use cotton swabs that are produced every day.
🍃LastSwab Beauty is a reusable, sustainable and sanitary alternative to cotton swabs.
Designed for your organic makeup touch-ups. The case is made from Ocean-Bound Plastic. One LastSwab replaces +1000 single-use cotton swabs.
🍃LastSwab comes in a quality case that is made of Recycled Ocean-Bound Plastic. That makes it easy to store in your bath room or bring on travels.
The medical-grade silicone tips feel just as great to use as cotton swabs, but will last up to 1000 uses.
It might feel unusual to clean your swab at first, but with soap and water it just takes two seconds per tip. Not a biggie, right?
With the case, it’s convenient to store or bring, and it takes up no space at all. Put it in your organic gym bag, overnight bag, toiletry bag, organic makeup bag.
MATERIAL: The tips are made of thermoplastic elastomers, TPE. The rod is made from polypropylene (PP) reinforced with glass fiber. It will last for a long time without breaking. The swab is completely latex-free. The swab comes in a case made from recycled and certified Ocean Bound Plastic. The packaging is Cradle to Cradle certified and printed with eco-friendly and safe ink.
GREENWASHING
This brand has been recommended by a popular green blogger-mom. This has the very ingredients she was warning on her blog: benzophenone-1.
The brand claims: "Our non-toxic polish formula": greenwashing the bogger and the brand!
❌ Benzophenone-1: Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence. Significant wildlife and the environment disruption. In vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity; increased uterine weight in immature rats. Linked to endocrine disruption, toxic ingredient, UV absorber, used to block color fading, is linked to endocrine disruption carcinogen to the California EPA’s Proposition 65 list
INGREDIENTS: butyl acetate, ethyl acetate, nitrocellulose, adipic acid/neopentyl, glycol/trimellitic, anhydride, copolymer, acetyl tributyl citrate, isopropyl alcohol, stearalkonium bentonite, acrylates copolymer, styrene/acrylates copolymer, silica, benzophenone-1, and trimethylpentanediyl dibenzoate.
I consider this brand greenwashing since they are not a non-toxic polish brand!
This has the very ingredients benzophenone-1 and fragrance
❌ Benzophenone-1: Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence. Significant wildlife and environmental disruption. In vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity; increased uterine weight in immature rats. Linked to endocrine disruption, toxic ingredient, UV absorber, used to block color fading, is linked to endocrine disruption carcinogen to the California EPA’s Proposition 65 list
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Fragrance (Parfum), Silica, Benzophenone-1, Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Aleurites Moluccanus (Kukui) Seed Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Black 2 (CI 77266), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Viola Odorata (Violet) Extract, Diacetone Alcohol, Phosphoric Acid
I don't recommend this nail polish made by 100% Pure. Even if I recommend this brand for making organic and safer products, I don't recommend this product!
Even if they claim to be 20-Free Organic Nail Polish, they have still left a very toxic ingredient: benzophenone-1. It is so disappointing they are still not able to remove that ingredient!
❌ Benzophenone-1: linked to endocrine disruption, toxic ingredient, UV absorber, used to block color fading, is linked to endocrine disruption carcinogen to the California EPA’s Proposition 65 list
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acrylates Copolymer, Stearalkonium Bentonite, n-Butyl Alcohol, Benzophenone-1, Silica, Alumina, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Polyvinyl Butyral, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Polybutylene Terephthalate, Ethylene/Vinyl Acetate Copolymer. MAY CONTAIN: Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Iron Oxides (CI 77499, CI 77491), Red 34 Lake (CI 15880), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Mica (CI 77019), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 11 (CI 47000), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Violet 2 (CI 60725), Ultramarines Blue (CI 77007)
👉Greenwashing nail polish brands claim to be “10-free”: Free from DBP, formaldehyde, toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, Xylene, Parabens, Fragrances, Phthalates, and Animal ingredients. 🔎But then they still use Benzophenone-1 ❌ Benzophenone-1: Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence. Significant wildlife and environmental disruption. In vitro and in vivo estrogenic activity; increased uterine weight in immature rats. Linked to endocrine disruption, toxic ingredient, UV absorber, used to block color fading, is linked to endocrine disruption carcinogen to the California EPA’s Proposition 65 list. I avoid these nail polish brands! ✅ Find safer nail polish brands on this page above
INGREDIENTS: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Acrylates Copolymer, Silica, Benzophenone-1, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate