3 Healthy Nail Polish Options for Glam Nails at Home

I don’t talk nails very often, but today is the day. And let me start by saying this: your standard nail polish options are FULL of harmful chemicals. I’m talking formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate. But here are three that aren’t: Pop Beauty, Emma Beauty and Dr.’s Remedy. Did you even know there were healthier nail alternatives out there?

Ingredients in Nail Polish

So what is nail polish made of? Take a look at some of the bottles you have right now and chances are you’ll find them full of carcinogens and other fun toxins, such as the “toxic trio:” formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Formaldehyde, yep, the same chemical used for embalming, has been linked to both nasal and lung cancers. DBP has actually been banned in Europe and linked to reproductive issues. Toluene is known to affect the nervous system causing dizziness, headaches, nausea and eye irritation. If that’s not enough, it’s also been linked to birth defects and developmental problems in children, whose mother’s were exposed to the chemical. Oh, and yes, it’s also been banned in Europe.

Kinda makes you wonder why all of these chemicals are still able to be used here? I digress, that’s a topic for a different day but if I wanted a place to start researching, I’d say, follow the money.

I know what you might be thinking and it’s the same thing many manufacturers tell you in regards to chemicals, “it’s such a small amount that it really has no effect on you.” Probably true, EXCEPT, we’re exposing ourselves to toxic ingredients, chemicals and carcinogens all day long. They’re in our hygiene products, go-to-beauty formulas, lotions and even the foods we eat (do about 5 minutes of research on preservatives and dyes and you’ll likely start really thinking about the foods you eat).

While I’m not sure of where that leaves our bodies, I can only assume it’s not in a good place. And yes, even though I know all of this, do I always check ingredients before purchasing? Nope. Do I still eat foods that have ingredients that are terrible for my body? Yep.

I do however think it’s important to limit these types of chemicals when we can, and let me tell you, nail polish is a ridiculously easy place to start. Especially once you learn more about these brands.

Clean Nail Polish Lines You’ll Love

Dr.’s Remedy Nail Care

This vegan nail care line is ridiculously lux and is a part of 10-Free Nail Polish - meaning, they’ve eliminated 10 of the most toxic nail polish ingredients (including the toxic-trio) from their formulas. They’re also formulated with a ton of natural ingredients…things like tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract (no the polishes don’t smell like garlic), biotin and so much more.

The beautiful nail colors I’ve tried are incredibly rich - so much so, you’re very much left wondering why other lines are so expensive while being so full of harmful ingredients. This non-toxic nail polish goes on incredibly smooth is available individually and also sold in trios or gift sets.

Dr.’s Remedy Nail Polish is made in the USA.

Emma Beauty

This 100% vegan line also carries a variety of other nail and body products, such as non-toxic nail polish remover, lotions and sugar scrubs. I’m a huge fan of their base and top coats and I love the ENORMOUS selection of colors as well as their fun names (Brew & BBQ, I Don’t Give a Guac, etc. Cute, right?!?).

Another 12+ free brand, these healthy nail polishes are designed to last one week. I’m pretty rough on my nails, so I don’t think they last quite a week on me, but, even my professional manicures don’t last that long. It’s not advertised as a quick-dry, but I swear it is and while I’m not chopping onions immediately after applying, give me a few minutes and I could be.

Although I haven’t tried them, they carry gel nail polish colors as well. Emma Nails is manufactured in the USA.

Pop Beauty

I’m becoming more and more obsessed with my Pop nail polishes by the day. While they have limited shades (24), each are high intensity, cover amazingly well and 8-free formulated (made without 8 of the most toxic nail polish ingredients). The glam polish line is full of brights, but I love that their neutrals are “dense.” Meaning, when applied, it doesn’t take 5 coats to be able to see the color.

The line is fast-drying and the colors are perfect options for all of you creative nail artists out there.

Pop Beauty manufactures in Korea.

Even if you don’t start using cleaner nail polish options today, I would definitely encourage you to start implementing something a bit more clean into your beauty routines or diets. It’s easy to start if it’s just one thing. Once you begin to realize how truly inundated we are with these types of things, it can be a little overwhelming to think about giving them all up cold turkey - BUT, I know you can do at least one thing:)