The Importance Of Using Non-Toxic Nail Polish

Learn How Paying Attention and Choosing Non-Toxic Nail Polishes Can Improve Your Health And Promote Recovery

Painting Nails Can Be A Nice Break In The Day

Dr. Shyamali Singhal, a surgical oncologist, said that painting the nails is a preferred self-care ritual for many people, and cancer patients are no exception to this. Some people claim it helped them stop the bad habit of nail-biting. Also, the act of painting the nails itself forces people to put away their phone, at least for a few minutes. But what about the toxic ingredients used in nail polish? Many polishes are misleadingly marketed as safe, based on the fact that they are “free”, as they put it, of some of the chemicals that are known to be unsafe. So, is there even such a thing as non-toxic nail polish? The answer is yes, but finding it is another story, the one that requires research.

Hidden Dangers Of Nail Polish

Depending on the products used, there can be a whole host of unpleasant chemicals hidden in the product. Some of those chemicals can have the potential to affect our health, and the health of our nail technicians too. Thankfully though, much like the wider beauty industry, an array of “cleaner” products are making their way into the market, offering us safer, less toxic options.

As Dr. Shyamali Singhal said, it’s baffling that a carcinogenic ingredient like formaldehyde is still used in nail treatments. She’s referring to products of some of the major brands, that still contain the carcinogenic. The good news? Many newer nail polish formulations have phased out previously ubiquitous and dangerous ingredients like formaldehyde or dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which can interfere with our body’s hormone functions. But that’s not enough. Maybe we need to change the system so all the polishes are safe.

The “Big Three” Chemicals

More than 10 years ago, some mainstream brands stopped using the “big three” dangerous chemicals in nail polish. This included DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde. Now marketed as “3 Free,” these polishes are being sold widely. The recent increase in the number of nail polish products that are ‘free of’ shows that consumers have been demanding healthier and safer products. There are some now on the market, but it didn’t completely solve the problem.

As science advances, we’re learning more and more about cosmetic ingredients in general, as Dr. Singhal explained. “As a result of this, many companies are moving away from potentially toxic ingredients and replacing them with ones found to be safer and as effective.”

Clean Beauty Products

Previously targeted largely to expectant or nursing mothers, non-toxic polishes are now being marketed to the wider population as the “clean beauty” movement really builds momentum. Starting at three-free all the way up to 10-free, the numbering system refers to the number of chemicals they’re free from, with 10 being considered the “cleanest” due to all the ingredients it cuts out. “If you think about it this way, just like checking the ingredients in your food, it’s important to understand what these products actually are free from and why, so you recognize what you’re avoiding,” Dr. Shyamali added.

There are three key ingredients from which the majority of polish products claiming to be “non-toxic” will be free of. These are formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). They’re known carcinogens and endocrine (hormone) disruptors.  Also, triphenyl phosphate or TPHP — this is the replacement chemical for DBP, just as toxic as DBP itself— discovering it in women’s urine within 48 hours of a pedicure. Our line of nail polishes rrom Karma Hues are free from these ingredients.

List Of Dangerous Chemicals

DBP is on the EU’s (European Union) list of prohibited ingredients in cosmetic use as it may cause harm to unborn children. Considering it’s banned in Europe, this is an ingredient worth looking out for and avoiding if you’re buying polish in other markets — the U.S. included. 

• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): This chemical keeps the nail polish formula flexible and is the ingredient for a “chip-free” finish. It’s also the ingredient that’s most linked to reproductive issues.

• Formaldehyde: This is a preservative, sterilizer, and an embalming chemical as well as a known carcinogen. This makes the nail polish harden and keeps it fresh for a long time.

• Toluene: This is a petroleum/coal tar derived chemical that’s meant to keep the polish smooth. Chronic exposure is linked to anemia, liver, and kidney damage, decreased blood cell count, and it can affect a developing fetus.

• Formaldehyde Resin: This is a derivative of Formaldehyde that may be slightly less toxic but is still a carcinogen and allergen. It’s included to harden and smooth the nail polish.

• Camphor: This is a plasticizer that makes polish flexible. It’s also a neurotoxin, which can cause seizures if ingested and liver damage when absorbed into the skin. 

Seven-free, Eight-free, Nine-free and Ten-free Products

Seven-free polishes: These are formulated without all of the above, along with xylene and triphenyl phosphate.

“Typically, xylene has been used in the past as a replacement to toluene — and similarly, xylene can affect and damage the central nervous system if inhaled in high amounts. It can cause dizziness, drowsiness, and headaches,” Dr. Shyamali Singhal said. Triphenyl phosphate is thought to be a hormone disrupter but there’s still research being done here, she added.

Eight-free polishes: These are free from all of those mentioned, plus ethyl tosylamide.

Ethyl tosylamide is a plasticizer that helps the nail polish create a durable film on the nail. It can be an irritant to the skin. Also, there’s a concern that it’s toxic for our environment and is bioaccumulative — that is, it stays in our ecosystem and never breaks down.

Nine-free polishes are free from the above and parabens and/or acetone, while most 10-frees don’t use any harmful additives or animal byproducts, so the products are considered vegan.

With the beauty industry in the U.S. still being largely very under-regulated, it falls on us as consumers to make the right decisions for ourselves and our health. Working for years closely with cancer patients as an oncologist, Dr. Singhal made it her mission to select safe products, sourcing and testing out only natural products for cancer patients.There is much a patient can do for him\herself - awareness is key. Although some of the polishes are cheap, long-lasting, and let’s face it, attractive, in the long run, it’s better to be mindful and consider all the products we use on a regular basis and make informed choices.