Are gel nail polishes safe for your health? Here is my ultimate guide to non-toxic gel nail polish brands and all the potential health hazards that you want to avoid in nail products.
Gel polishes are an amazing invention! They are easy to apply, almost like ordinary polishes. Gel polishes dry very quickly in the lamp. They stay on the nails chip-free for about 2 weeks. And you can remove them by simply soaking them off.
With this guide, you’ll be able to read any lists of cosmetic ingredients and select the safest and cleanest non-toxic gel nail polish for your manicure.
Let’s jump right in:
Best non-toxic gel nail polish brands, according to their ingredients
What are non-toxic gel nail polishes?
That means they are free of the most toxic and dangerous ingredients.
When I was getting my nail education I took a professional course on the chemistry of ingredients used in nail products and their safety.
I learned that gel nail polishes are mainly comprised of monomers, oligomers, pigments and photoinitiators.
When photoinitiators react to UV light they make monomers and oligomers polymerize to create the hard and durable gel nails we’re used to. And pigments give them their color.
However, gel nail polishes also contain various additives that are necessary, for example, to improve plasticity.
And these additives can sometimes be unsafe for health.
So non-toxic gel nail polishes are products that are free from hazardous or unpleasant additives but instead contain safe ingredients.
Each non-toxic gel nail polish on this list is at least 3-free.
This means they are free from 3 most unsafe components.
Read on to find out more below:
Orly Gel FX
Orly has been making nail polishes since 1975.
Their current line of gel nail polishes is called Orly GelFX.
It’s a healthy line of gel polishes that is free of BHA.
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Despite its many benefits, BHA should be used in moderation as excessive use may increase cancer risk.
GelFX is also 12-free, as Orly reports.
That means it contains no toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, MEHQ/HQ, MIT, parabens, animal-derived ingredients, or gluten.
So it’s one of the cleanest and gentliest non-toxic gel nail polish brands on the market.
That’s why I love using it. It’s one of my favorite nail materials because it doesn’t make my nails brittle.
If you’re looking for a polish that is free of the most common toxic chemicals, then a 12-free polish is the way to go
You can rest assured that you’re not exposing yourself to any harmful chemicals.
Moreover, Orly GelFX polishes are vitamin and mineral-infused.
They contain vitamins A, B5, E to strengthen your nails and to make them healthier.
One of the company’s most interesting products is Orly GelFX Builder in a Bottle.
It’s a very easy to use soak off sculpting gel.
According to Orly, Builder in a Bottle is also healthy and non-toxic.
The downside of this polish is that being free of some active but potentially harmful ingredients, it may not have the same longevity as some other polishes on the market.
Beetles Natural Gel Nail Polish Kit
Beetles is one of the best budget-friendly non-toxic gel nail polish brands. Great for safe at-home manicures.
Beetles gel polish is 9-free, according to the manufacturer.
That means it contains no Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Parabens, Sulfates, Camphor, Triphenyl Phosphate, Xylene and Ethyl Tosylamide.
All Beetles products have also passed the SGS test of Heavy metal and Toxicological risk assessment, as the company reports.
SGS is a giant multinational company with headquarters in Switzerland. It provides quality and safety testing and certification services for manufacturers all over the world.
The Heavy metal and Toxicological risk assessment test checks whether the end user of the products that are tested gets exposed to potentially hazardous substances.
It’s a product toxicity test, which Beetles polishes have successfully passed.
Beetles is also a vegan and cruelty-free line of products.
A huge plus of this polish is that it’s not smelly. It has a low-odor formula.
So if you are sensitive to chemical odors then this polish is for you.
According to Beetles, their product is a natural gel nail polish that is made of natural resin.
The only downside of this polish is that each bottle in this large set is much smaller than the bottles that standalone professional non-toxic gel nail polishes come in. But this kit is perfect for testing many different shades or for creating multicolor nail art.
CND Shellac
CND Shellac is a leading brand of gel nail polishes on the market. And one of the top non-toxic gel nail polish brands.
It was the polish that had actually started the gel nail polish trend.
Shellac is a premium salon-grade gel nail polish.
It can stay on your nails for 14 days. It is more durable than most other non-toxic polishes available on the market.
According to CND, it’s 7-free.
Therefore it’s free of toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, phthalates (DBP), formaldehyde resin, xylene, and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
It doesn’t contain many other toxic ingredients either.
Shellac is also vegan, cruelty-free, and is pretty soft and gentle to the natural nails, as CND promises.
The polish is easy to remove by simply soaking it off.
The CND company promises that their nail polishes are hypoallergenic.
Some people have reported switching from other gel nail polishes that have caused allergic reactions, swelling, and contact dermatitis to Shellac and Vinylux, and their symptoms went away.
However, please be careful, because one person may have an allergic response to a cosmetic product that is fine for another person.
Please consult a doctor if you have any doubts.
Vegan and cruelty-free:
Shellac is only a catchy brand name that signifies a glossy lacquered manicure surface.
There is no lac bug secret in the formula, and no other animal-derived ingredients. It’s also not tested on animals.
The only downside of this polish is that it’s less budget-friendly and may be less available than other polishes on this list.
Bio Seaweed Gel Unity
Of course, there’s no seaweed in this polish. It’s just a catchy name like the one Shellac uses.
Sadly, no-one has found a way to use seaweed for making polishes.
And if someone really did invent a method of making gel nail polishes out of seaweed that person would probably get a Nobel Prize.
That’s because seaweed is a completely sustainable material.
Moreover, its growing process is very eco-friendly.
Anyway, the seaweed mention in this brand’s name emphasizes the use of healthy ingredients in this polish.
Healthy:
Bio Seaweed lists their gel polishes as 5-free, made in the USA, vegan, and cruelty-free.
“No big 5” in these polishes means that they have no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, BHA, or camphor.
The Bio Seaweed non-toxic gel nail polish is also water-based.
It means that it’s specially formulated so the toxic chemical solvents like toluene are replaced by water.
So Bio Seaweed nail polishes are made to enrich your nails with vitamins and make them stronger instead of damaging them.
And they are pretty durable for a water-based polish.
Bio Seaweed promises their gel polish can stay on your nails for up to 2 weeks and is easily removable by soaking it off.
Bio Seaweed Gel 3STEP line consists of the base, the color polishes, and the top coat.
The top coat is a no-wipe one, which is a big plus.
You can finish your manicure faster without the need to wipe off the sticky layer.
Bio Seaweed Gel also has a line called UNITY
Here’s the catch:
This polish is a gel-like all-in-one nail polish that contains the base, the color polish and the top coat in one bottle.
This polish doesn’t leave a tacky layer either. So it’s another no-wipe product.
And there’s no need to cure it in a UV/LED lamp because it cures to the touch in direct sunlight.
The downside of Bio Seaweed’s polishes is that, since they are water-based, they are less durable than traditional polishes. The one-step UNITY line has less longevity than the 3-step line since its base coat is mixed in with the color polish. That makes it less adhesive to the nail plate than a separate base coat.
NCLA
NCLA was founded in LA, California by two sisters from Belgium.
The sisters are animal lovers so they created a vegan and cruelty-free brand of clean and healthy beauty products.
According to NCLA, their gel polishes are 7-free. So they have no formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, TPHP, or xylene.
NCLA polishes are truly vegan and not tested on animals, which is a big plus.
The manufacturer promises that their products are made in Los Angeles.
The top coat is another no-wipe one, which is great.
The downside is that this polish can sometimes chip easily and that the lighter colors are a bit too sheer.
Arte Clavo
Arte Clavo is a Chinese brand of nail products that manufactures 9-free non-toxic gel nail polish for at-home use.
The brand is known for making non-toxic gel nail polish with various special effects.
The effects are really beautiful and eye-catching.
You can buy neon, glitter, and mood-changing non-toxic gel nail polishes.
Mood changing polish changes color according to the surrounding temperature. This creates a beautiful gradient effect on your nails.
Arte Clavo sells most of their polishes in 4 or 5-piece sets. Each set either contains several shades of similar hues or a number of different colors united by a theme.
The polishes are free from the 9 most harmful toxins and unpleasant substances and have a low odor. So they are easy to work with.
Arte Clavo’s manufacturer promises that they contain harmless and environmentally-friendly resin. And that they are free from harsh, damaging ingredients and adhesives.
The downside of these polishes is that they are pretty sheer and may need more layers for full opacity.
Gellen
Gellen is another Chinese non-toxic gel nail polish brand with products that are great for at-home use.
It often comes in large multi-color sets. So you’ll have a whole palette of various hues at hand.
This makes Gellen polishes great for creating nail art.
The manufacturer claims that Gellen is a natural gel nail polish made from natural resin with environmentally-friendly and healthy ingredients.
Plus, this polish is also low-odor, which is great for people intolerant to strong chemical smells.
The smell is really light, which I like because I prefer low-odor polishes.
The colors are well-pigmented and opaque so you can get great coverage in 1-2 coats.
The downsides of these non-toxic polishes are that they last a bit less than high-end gel polishes and that they are thicker than other products on this list so they may be difficult to apply for a beginner.
Karma Organic Natural Gel Nail Polish
Karma Organic is a no-light gel nail polish that air dries without a lamp.
Use the brand’s quick-drying top coat to make it cure faster and stay chip-resistant for a long time.
The polish has a mild non-toxic formula with purely organic ingredients.
It’s not carcinogenic and is completely free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin, toluene, TPHB, DBP, xylene, parabens, etc.
Instead of formaldehyde, this polish contains a special strengthening formula derived from coffee extracts and calcium.
So it’s perfect for people who want to live a chemical-free life.
According to the manufacturer, their non-toxic gel nail polish is even safe to use for children of every age, pregnant women, and people prone to allergies.
This polish won’t cause any yellowing or staining of your nails and has a mild pleasant smell.
Of course, this polish is also cruelty-free and completely vegan.
And its packaging is eco-friendly and is made from recyclable and biodegradable materials.
In addition to natural and organic gel nail polish, Karma Organic also makes nail polish removers that contain natural oils and fragrances instead of acetone.
The downside of this polish is that it’s not very pigmented and will look a bit too light on your nails, different from how it looks in the bottle. You may need to apply an extra layer for better coverage.
What are natural gel nail polish and organic gel nail polish?
A natural gel nail polish is a product that is made from natural resin and contains other natural ingredients. Natural gel nail polish brands are Beetles, Gellen, Arte Clavo, etc.
These kinds of polish are non-toxic and safe to use.
For example, the Beetles brand manufactures natural gel nail polish made from natural resin that has been certified by SGS as free of heavy metals and toxicological risk.
An organic gel nail polish is a product that is made from organic components.
Such as Karma Organic, which has a fully organic formula and uses special strengthening ingredients derived from coffee extracts and calcium instead of harmful formaldehyde.
It’s another example of a completely non-toxic gel nail polish.
Non-toxic gel nail polish buying guide
BHA-free
The first thing you should check your gel nail polish for is BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole).
BHA is used in cosmetics as an antioxidant and preservative.
However, the National Toxicology Program lists it as “reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.”
Also, look for polishes that are at least 5-free.
That means they should be free of the five most potentially dangerous toxic chemicals:
- Formaldehyde
- Toluene
- Dibutyl phthalate
- Formaldehyde resin
- Camphor
There are also 7-free, 9-free, 10-free, and 12-free polishes that exclude even more potentially toxic chemicals.
5-free 7-free, 9-free, and 12-free gel nail polishes
Here is a quick guide to the most common types of non-toxic gel nail polishes:
- 5-free: These polishes do not contain the five most common toxic chemicals found in conventional nail polishes: toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. Try to look for polishes that are at least 5-free.
- 7-free: In addition to the five chemicals listed above, 7-free polishes also do not contain xylene and ethyl tosylamide.
- 9-free: 9-free polishes take it a step further by also excluding triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) from the ingredients list.
- 12-free: The safest option on the market as it’s free of all 12 of the most common toxic chemicals or non-vegan substances found in nail polishes. And 12-free polishes are also generally more natural and gentle on your nails.
Harmful chemicals you should avoid in polishes
The toxic trio
The so-called “toxic trio”, formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, are the most toxic ingredients that you can find in cosmetics and nail polishes.
They often cause contact dermatitis, various allergies, and can even lead to death.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is needed to harden and strengthen the nail polish and to preserve it against bacterial growth, mold, and fungi.
When you put the brush applicator back into the bottle it may provoke bacterial growth and your polish can go bad.
That’s why every manufacturer has to use preservatives.
Manufacturers of healthier polishes tend to use non-toxic preservatives.
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong smell.
It occurs in nature in small amounts.
Even our bodies, plants, and animals produce a tiny bit of this gas.
And these tiny amounts are usually not harmful.
However, some people are more sensitive to this chemical than others. For example, children, or people with asthma.
Hazard:
According to the US Government Agency of Toxic Substances, exposure to high amounts of formaldehyde causes cancer.
Exposure to small amounts that are found in new homes or in wood products can cause eye, throat, and nose irritation.
Higher amounts of formaldehyde cause rashes, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
So really, here’s no need to expose yourself to higher amounts of a toxic substance through cosmetics if you can avoid it.
Toluene
Toluene is used for smoother application of the nail polish and more even distribution of color.
It’s a common ingredient in nail polish removers.
Toluene can also be used as a component of inks for printing the packaging of your cosmetics.
It’s a colorless liquid with a sweet and pungent smell.
Toluene fumes are toxic.
And it’s absorbed by the body mostly through inhalation but it can be slowly absorbed through the skin.
It’s especially dangerous for children, as they have a larger lung surface area in relation to their body weight.
According to the US Government Agency of Toxic Substances, high exposure to toluene can even result in death.
Mild exposure can result in nausea, dizziness, fatigue, headache.
Mild chronic exposure leads to memory loss, loss of coordination, disorders of the optic nerve, and even permanent neuropsychiatric effects.
Long chronic exposure can also end in death.
Dibutyl Phthalate
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is a plasticizer for nail polishes.
It helps the polish stay flexible on the nails and prevents cracking and chipping.
It’s also used for making plastics to keep them soft and flexible and is added to printing inks, insect repellents, hair spray, solvents, paper coatings, etc.
However, after it was suspected of causing problems with the endocrinal system and fetal development, most companies stopped using it in their nail polishes in 2006.
But still do watch out for this ingredient in polishes.
Formaldehyde Resin
Formaldehyde resin is a by-product of formaldehyde.
It makes the nail polish shiny and durable.
According to PubMed, formaldehyde resin is dangerous, because it can cause allergic contact dermatitis, a very unpleasant red itchy rash.
Camphor
Camphor gives the nail polish its glossy shiny look.
It’s also used in ointments, rubs, insect repellents, incense, and mothballs.
It’s a white solid with a strong smell.
Camphor is highly toxic and is especially dangerous for kids.
It’s not absorbed by the skin too much, but it’s very dangerous when kids inhale it or digest it.
Too much exposure to camphor may cause seizures, especially in young children.
Camphor poisoning also causes stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, irritability, and agitation.
Other ingredients you can avoid by choosing non-toxic gel nail polish brands
Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
Methyl ethyl ketone is a solvent used mostly in nail polish removers or as a thinner in nail polishes.
It’s a colorless liquid with a mint-like odor.
MEK is highly flammable.
According to the New Jersey Department of Health, MEK is absorbed by inhalation or through skin contact.
It can cause rashes, drying, or cracking of your skin, affect breathing, severely irritate or burn the eyes, irritate the nose and throat if you breathe it in.
High exposure to MEK can damage the nervous system and the brain.
Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
Triphenyl Phosphate is used in nail polishes as a plasticizer to increase their elasticity and durability.
It’s also used as a fire retardant in furniture.
It has recently been found harmful.
Duke University researchers were able to find TPHP in women’s bodies just hours after they painted their nails.
TPHP is an endocrine disruptor. That means it interferes with hormone functioning and can hurt the reproductive system.
Ethyl Tosylamide
Ethyl Tosylamide is a plasticizer that helps nail polish to dry, increases its adhesion, and makes it more durable.
It can cause serious allergic reactions.
So it’s prohibited for use in cosmetic products in the European Union.
Xylene
Xylene, also known as methyl toluene, is a solvent for paints. It thins the nail polish and keeps it from becoming too thick or lumpy.
According to the US Government Agency of Toxic Substances, xylene can become toxic at room temperature and accumulate in badly ventilated areas.
It irritates the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract.
Most often you can get exposed to it by inhaling, which may lead to headaches, dizziness, tremor, and even coma.
And its ingestion is extremely toxic.
MEHQ/HQ
Hydroquinone monomethyl ether, also known as MEHQ/HQ, is a polymerization inhibitor.
It prevents gel polishes from curing prematurely.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, MEHQ/HQ can be absorbed through inhalation or skin contact.
It irritates the eyes, skin, nose, throat, respiratory tract, it can also cause burns and depress the central nervous system.
Parabens
Parabens are preservatives that keep mold, funghi, and bacteria from growing in the polish bottle.
Parabens are a whole group of chemicals that are very common in cosmetics, food, and drugs.
They are cheap and they do the job as preservatives, that’s why they’re so popular.
The most widely used parabens are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and ethylparaben.
They are often added to cosmetic products in combination with other preservatives.
US Food and Drug Administration doesn’t ban parabens.
However, according to PubMed, parabens can be absorbed dermally, and are estrogenic.
That means they can act like the female hormone estrogen, an increased dose of which can be linked to breast cancer.
MIT
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is another preservative against mold, fungi, and bacteria that is often used as a replacement for parabens.
According to Dermatology Research and Practice, methylisothiazolinone can cause allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis.
It’s especially dangerous for babies and children.
Canada and Japan restrict the use of MIT in cosmetics.
Animal Derived Ingredients
We all love our animal friends.
Nail polishes that are free of animal-derived ingredients and aren’t tested on animals are called vegan and cruelty-free.
While gel nail polishes don’t use any lac bug extract, they still may contain other animal products.
Guanine or pearl essence is an extract from fish scales and animal tissue acids.
It gives nail polish shimmer and a pearly look.
Carmine is a red coloring that comes from boiling and crushing special bugs.
You can find it as a colorant in red nail polishes.
Oleic acid comes from animal fat. It’s a thickener for cosmetics.
Nail products may also be tested on animals.
Gluten
Gluten is not as toxic as some other chemicals on this list.
It’s present in wheat, barley, and rye-based products.
However many people have gluten sensitivity, also called gluten intolerance.
So if you are on a gluten-free diet due to a medical condition then you should choose a gel nail polish without gluten too.
Gluten molecules may be able to penetrate the skin, according to some experts. So it’s better to be safe than sorry.
There are no requirements for nail polish or other cosmetic products manufacturers to list gluten on their packaging.
That’s why you should select those manufacturers that specifically brand their products as gluten-free if you have a gluten intolerance.
I hope that with all this information you’ll be able to choose the best healthy and non-toxic gel nail polish for fantastic manicures with confidence.
Recommended reading:
Best Gel Base And Top Coat: The Updated List Of The Best Gel Nail Base And Top Coat Sets
Best Professional Gel Nail Polish Brands Used In Salons
Most Popular Shellac Colors – The Ultimate List Of 15 Best Shellac Colors For Fantastic Manicures
Best Nail Dryer Table: Choose A Perfect Nail Drying Table Or A Nail Drying Station For Your Salon
Pedicure Trolley Cart Buying Guide: Get The Best Pedicure Cart For Your Salon
