For truly zero-waste, non-toxic nail care, skipping nail polish altogether is the most sustainable option. While some excellent companies are formulating products with vegan and non-toxic ingredients, it’s challenging to eliminate petrochemicals and other synthetic substances entirely. However, if a good mani-pedi is your go-to indulgence and you’re not ready to give it up, there are plenty of safer alternatives available that can help reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals.
Learn more about how to find sustainable, non-toxic beauty products here.
Non-Toxic Nail Polish
A 2015 study found that chemicals from nail polish can absorb through our nails and into our bodies. The three worst chemicals to avoid are formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Polishes without these ingredients are often labeled “three-free.” Other companies go even further by removing additional chemicals, and you will find the number of chemicals that are eliminated from polish formulations before the -free, i.e. 8-free.
Ingredients to avoid in nail polish
The chemicals found in many nail polishes are among the most toxic substances used in any beauty or personal care product, which is not surprising considering the strong chemical aroma that emanates from polish.
Ingredients 1 through 3 are eliminated in 3-free nail polish, and 1 through 5 are not present in 5-free. From there, brands differ on chemicals that are eliminated in 7-free polish and beyond, so be sure to check each ingredient list.
1. Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals
- Purpose: Formaldehyde is used as a preservative; in addition, chemical reactions from certain ingredients release formaldehyde as a byproduct.
- Why Avoid: Known carcinogens and irritants; Persistent in the environment and harmful to aquatic life.
- Common Names: Formaldehyde, Methanal, Methyl Aldehyde, Oxymethylene
- Formaldehyde-Releasing Ingredients: DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylene Glycol, Formalin, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate, Bromopol
- Look For: “Formaldehyde-Free” labels; Polish that uses plant-based preservatives.
2. Toluene
- Why Avoid: Toluene is a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) that is associated with skin sensitivity, respiratory irritation, neurological effects, and reproductive risks.
- Common Names: Methylbenzene, Phenylmethane, Toluol, Benzene, Methyl-
3. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Purpose: A plasticizer that makes polish flexible and prevents cracking.
- Why Avoid: A known endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive and developmental issues.
4. Formaldehyde Resin
- Purpose: Used as a film-forming agent to provide durability, gloss, and adhesion to nail polish.
- Why Avoid: A chemical derivative made by reacting formaldehyde with other compounds (like toluenesulfonamide).
5. Camphor
- Purpose: Provide a glossy finish, improves adhesion.
- Why Avoid: Synthetic camphor is petroleum-based. Camphor can be irritating and cause neurological issues.
6. Xylene
- Purpose: Improves smoothness and enhances quick drying of polish
- Why Avoid: Petroleum-based, causes respiratory issues, chronic exposure is linked to kidney and liver problems.
- Common Names: Dimethylbenzene, Methyltoluene, Xylol, Mixed Xylene
7. Ethyl Tosylamide
- Purpose: Plasticizer, helps polish adhere smoothly to the nail and provides flexibility to reduce chipping and cracking.
- Why Avoid: May contribute to antibiotic resistance due to similar chemical structure as sulfa antibiotics.
8. Parabens
- Purpose: Parabens are used as a preservative.
- Why Avoid: Linked to hormonal disruption and potential long-term health effects.
- Common Names: Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben.
9. Benzophenone-1
- Purpose: UV stabilizer to prevent color fading
- Why Avoid: Endocrine disruptor, possible carcinogen, toxic to aquatic life.
- Common Names: UV Absorber BP-1, 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone
10. Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
- Purpose: Flame retardant, plasticizer for improved flexibility for increased resistant to chipping.
- Why Avoid: Endocrine disruption, can absorb through nails. Persists in the environment.
- Common Names: Phosphoric Acid, Triphenyl Ester
11. Styrene
- Purpose: Provides provide durability, gloss, and flexibility.
- Why Avoid: Possible endocrine disruptor and carcinogen. Non-biodegradable, contributes to microplastic pollution.
- Common Names: Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer
Glitter
- I had to add this to the list because glitter is made from plastic, therefore glitter is a source of microplastics.
Natural nail polish
Unfortunately, 100% natural nail polish doesn’t exist because all-natural ingredients face significant challenges in replicating the performance and properties of synthetic chemicals. However, there are several nail polish brands that contain a higher percentage of natural plant-derived ingredients than most.
- Manucurist – A very sustainable and green-minded company based in France, with a strict ingredient blacklist with products that are verified vegan and PETA Cruelty-free. ‘Green’ nail polish is formulated with up to 84% plant-based ingredients, and ‘Green Flash’ is a clean LED gel polish that can be removed without acetone.
- Sienna – An Australian Certified B Corp that offers plant-based, non-toxic ingredients, which are fully disclosed. Polish completely free of glitter and nanoparticles, and is vegan, MADE SAFE, and Leaping Bunny and PETA certified. Polish caps are made from the wood of a non-native invasive tree and can be composted when the bottle is empty. You can return the bottle for recycling if you don’t have access. The company uses 100% renewable energy at their head office and warehouse.
- Nailtopia – Nail lacquer is 85% bio-sourced with vegetable-based ingredients like potato, corn, wheat and manioc; it is also vegan, as well as PETA and Leaping Bunny certified.
- Pacifica Plant-Magic Nail Polish contains up to 80% biobased ingredients and is 16-free. They are also vegan and PETA Certified.
- Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure Nail Polish is made with plant-based ingredients including bamboo and marine algae. It is 15-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. Applicator bristles are 100% plant-based.
Non-toxic nail polish brands
The following brands are not plant-based, but all are vegan nail polish brands and are among the best non-toxic nail polish brands I have discovered. But none are perfect. Remember that the higher the number in ‘x-free’, the more harmful chemicals are eliminated from formulations, although they differ between each company so be sure to check ingredient lists. This system can be deceptive as it tells you what the polish is free from, but that doesn’t mean that other harmful chemicals aren’t included.
- Ella + Mila – 17-free nail polish is vegan and Leaping Bunny and PETA certified. Polish does contain phthalates and styrene. This brand can also be found at Target.
- Terra Beauty Bars – 10-free or 21-free – This company is Latina, veteran, female-owned, and family operated. Their plant-based, vegan products are cruelty-free, Leaping Bunny & PETA Approved. Items are handmade and packaged to be plastic neutral. The company also works with the non-profit One Tree Planted. Terra Beauty Bars is also available on Grove.
- Essie – 8-free – products are 100% vegan with no animal testing. Essie brand products are also found on Amazon.
- Ten Over Ten – 8-free polishes are vegan, cruelty-free, and they work with Chemwise to recycle past-their-prime products.
- Zoya – 10-free
- Orly – 13-free, vegan, Leaping Bunny certified.
Glamour has a great article and list of 21 non-toxic polish options.
How to recycle nail polish bottles
Nail polish bottles are very difficult to recycle. It is technically possible to recycle the glass bottle if you are willing to put in the work–pouring nail polish remover into the bottle, shake, and dump out the contents, repeating until clear. I’m not sure how the eco-friendly this practice using lots of polish remover and water compares versus just tossing it.
- Cote accepts their brand’s empty bottles will give you 10% off a future purchase.
- Glo Recycling offers a beauty bucket for purchase that will recycle nail polish & remover bottles, as well as empty cologne/perfume bottles.
Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics recommends avoiding acetone, as well as methyl ethyl ketone and n-methyl-pyrrolidone in nail polish removers. These chemicals are known to be irritating but can also cause reproductive harm and organ toxicity.
Natural nail polish removers are acetone-free and although they take just a bit longer to remove nail polish, they are still very effective.
- I like Karma Naturals Nail Polish Remover with Soybean and Lavender Oil. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and packaged in a glass bottle with a label printed with soy-based ink. Also available for purchase on Amazon.
- Terra Beauty Nail Polish Remover Strengthening Formula is vegan and contains ingredients such as cassava root and almond, sunflower, and lavender oils. It is also available to purchase from Grove.
- Manucurist Green Nail Polish Remover is 100% plant-based, vegan, and enriched with vitamins.
- Sienna Strengthening Nail Polish Remover contains sunflower oil and horsetail plant extract.
Recycle polish remover bottles
Both of these polish removers are packaged in glass bottles, which are recyclable wherever glass is accepted. The Karma Naturals bottle has an aluminum cap that can be recycled curbside; the Terra Beauty Bars would have to be recycled with other beauty packaging at a drop-off like Nordstrom Beautycycle.
Nail polish remover pads
I personally don’t like using my reusable cotton pads for removing nail polish, no matter how ‘clean’ it is. But make sure to skip individually packaged nail polish remover pads, as they are likely not acetone-free, biodegradable, and include extra packaging.
My favorite eco-friendly cotton rounds are made by Organyc. These 100% chlorine-free organic cotton rounds are made with geothermal and solar energy and come in biodegradable.
Eco-Friendly Nail Tools
Nail Clippers
- Terra Beauty Bars stainless steel flat edge nail clippers come without outer packaging. They also offer a 7-Piece Minimalist Starter Nail Kit or 9-Piece Essentials Nail Kit, with the same contents plus a Top/Base Coat & Color of Choice.
- Public Goods Set of 2 Clippers, in matte black stainless steel, and lead-free.
Can you recycle nail clippers?
Stainless steel clippers are recyclable, although curbside recycling tends to only accept aluminum and tin. Plus their small size is limiting as it will likely fall through machinery. Your best bet is to drop off to a scrap metal recycler.
Zero Waste Cuticle Cream & Oil
- Badger Balm Cuticle Care – USDA Certified Organic + GMO-free ingredients, including shea butter. Packaged in a tin. Also available from Grove & EarthHero.
- Pacifica Vegan Collagen Cuticle Balm is cruelty-free.
- Burt’s Bees 100% Natural Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream – Also available at Grove
- Sienna Natural Cuticle Oil is made from plant-based oils.
- Manucurist Cuticle Softener consists of 97% bio-sourced ingredients.
Recycle
Metal tin can be recycled curbside; Burt’s Bees free Terracycle program, or Nordstrom Beautycycle.
Zero Waste Nail File
Ditch the disposable emery boards and buy a reusable nail file.
- I am currently using an OPI Crystal File. I really like it, except for that it arrived inside a plastic tube.
- The Terra Crystal Nail File is another glass option. Available from Grove.
- Tenoverten’s The Shaper nail file is made from stainless steel.
Recycling nail files
Disposable emery boards cannot be recycled. Broken or dull glass nail files are recyclable with other glass.
Eco-Friendly Nail Brush
Zefiro Bamboo Soft Nail Brush – made from bamboo and natural boar bristles; compostable. Available to buy on EarthHero.