********UPDATE: Is your “toxin-free” nail polish really safe? Find out in our interview with Shape.com ..>> HERE!
This year we saw so many new nail polish trends that included Nail Bling, Minx and Cracked Nail Polish. But another trend that seems to be growing is the launch of nail polishes that are organic, eco-friendly, non-toxic and safer, gentler to nails.
The basic ingredients that go into a nail polish are film forming agents, resins, plasticizers, solvents and coloring agents. But there are three specific ingredients that researchers have found to be toxic and potentially cancer-causing: Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP (Dibutyl phthalate), aka The Big 3.
But don’t panic! The FDA regulates nail products and they recognize that although they contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. So ladies, don’t make a habit of sniffing your pail polish or biting your nails.
For those of you who want to avoid all of these potentially dangerous ingredients altogether, there are some exciting non-toxic (3-Free) nail polish lines out there.
Many brands like RGB Cosmetics, Scotch Naturals, Butter London, Priti NYC, Ginger+ Liz and more… have created 3-Free (Free from formaldehyde, toluene and DBP) non toxic nail care lines.
Priti NYC uses organic preservatives.
Scotch Naturals in Red Clover
Scotch naturals adheres to its claims very stringently. It has water- based formulas instead of the conventional solvent based and they don’t use any chemical emulsifiers.
But how do these new safer, non-toxic formulas wear? Well there are trade-offs.
These new 3-Free formulas can take longer to dry, chip faster, not come in as many shades and colors and they can separate after long periods of storage.
So tell us, given this info are you planning on switching to these new formulas?
Post a comment below to let us know.
– cosmetic chemist, Upasana Sahu
