SUNDAY SWAP: NAIL POLISH
Nail polish is a hard thing for people to part with when switching to a non-toxic or low-toxic lifestyle. No nail polish brand is perfect, but switching to a 10-free or 12-free option is definitely a better choice for your health. If you love having your nails painted, you do not have to give it up!
Why is Nail Polish Toxic?
Nail polish is classified as a cosmetic by the FDA, meaning that the ingredients in nail polish do not need to be approved by the FDA.
Without regulation from the FDA, nail polish brands often do not list toxic ingredients or can lie about the amounts of these ingredients.
Nail polish and Your Health
The problem with nail polish is that it is applied directly to the nail which allows harmful chemicals to be absorbed by our bodies. They also release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air which we can inhale. VOCs can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, and are highly pollutant.
Chemicals to avoid in Nail polish
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is used in nail polishes to make them more durable. It is the chemical that makes your nails weak from frequent polish use.
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical that causes skin irritation, enter into the bloodstream, causes respiratory irritation and is a classified carcinogen.
In 2011, the National Toxicology Program, an interagency program of the Department of Health and Human Services, named formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen in its 12th Report on Carcinogens .(3
Toulene
Toulene is a solvent that is found in nail polish and nail polish remover. Toulene is more recently being removed from polishes due to severe negative long term reproductive effects.
Phthalates
Phthalates are used in nail polish to prevent chipping. Phthalates are found in several beauty products and are a major endocrine disruptor linked to reproductive issues.
DBP/DpHP/TPHP
These are common phthalates in nail polish. TPHP is becoming more popular as a replacement for DBP and DPHP. They are known endocrine disruptors and obesogens - linked to weight gain and insulin resistance.
How to Shop Safer Nail Polish
Look for a polish that is 7,10, or 12-free. It is very common now for polishes to be listed as free of some of the most toxic chemicals. See below for the meaning behind these labels:
3-free: Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
5-free: Camphor, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, and Toluene.
7-free: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, and Xylene
10-free: Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Parabens, animal by-products, and FRAGRANCE.
Tips for choosing a healthier nail polish
1. Opt for a 7-free or higher formula.
2. Avoid Gel/Dip manicures at the salon as these polishes are often full of chemicals. Gel manicures require the use of acetone for removal which is toxic.
3. Bring your own nail polish and top/base coats to the salon with you!