Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands for Healthy Nails: A Detailed Comparison
Taking care of your nails goes beyond having a perfect manicure. Exposure to harmful chemicals found in many conventional nail polishes can cause nail brittleness, discoloration, and other nail damage over time. Thankfully, there are now many great non-toxic nail polish options that skip the toxic ingredients.
But with so many natural nail polish brands now available, how do you choose? In this in-depth guide, we compare the top 8 non-toxic nail polish brands for healthy nails. We cover factors like ingredients, price, finish, lasting power, shades, and more.
Why Choose Non-Toxic Nail Polish?
Conventional nail polishes often contain many chemicals that can harm your nails, skin, and health:
Formaldehyde: Used to harden nail polish and prevent chipping. Linked to cancer and respiratory issues with long-term exposure.
Toluene: Gives polish a smooth application. Associated with developmental and reproductive harm.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): Prevents polish from becoming brittle. Suspected endocrine disruptor and may cause birth defects.
Triphenyl phosphate: Helps nail polish adhere to nails. Linked to endocrine and reproductive toxicity.
By switching to non-toxic nail polish without these harsh ingredients, you can avoid exposure to these concerning chemicals.
Natural nail polish brands use safer alternative ingredients like sunflower oil, vitamin E, jojoba oil, and plant resins. This allows you to pamper your nails while also being mindful of your health.
Top 8 Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands Compared
1. Zoya Nail Polish
Price Range: $10-$12 per bottle
Key Features: Vegan, 10-free formula, wide shade range
Review: Zoya makes one of the original non-toxic nail polish lines and sets a high standard. Their polishes are completely 10-free, meaning no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP, xylene, parabens, ethyl tosylamide, or lead. The formula also contains nourishing ingredients like vitamin E, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil.
With over 300 colors to choose from, Zoya offers endless options. Their polishes go on smooth and opaque in just 1-2 coats. Zoya also frequently releases new trendy shades so you can keep up with the latest nail trends. For chip-resistant wear, use Zoya’s base and top coats.
2. Ella+Mila Nail Polish
Price Range: $11-$13 per bottle
Key Features: Vegan, 7-free formula, a wide range of finishes
Review: Ella+Mila makes high-quality vegan and 7-free nail polishes infused with care ingredients like vitamin E and argan oil. Their formula excludes formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, xylene, camphor, TPHP, and formaldehyde resin.
The brand offers tons of fashionable colors in different finishes like cream, matte, and metallic. The polish flows on evenly and dries to an ultra-shiny or intentionally matte finish. For extended wear, use Ella+Mila’s base and top coat together with nail polish.
3. Sundays Non-Toxic Nail Polish
Price Range: $18 per bottle
Key Features: 10-free formula, essential oil infused, upscale packaging
Review: Sundays makes luxurious non-toxic nail polishes with clean, botanically-inspired formulas. Each polish is completely 10-free and infused with nourishing essential oils like ginger, peppermint, and lemongrass to support nail health.
Their impressive range of nature-inspired shades applies smoothly and evenly. Sunday's polishes have a slightly thicker formula that enables longer wear without chipping. Pair with their essential oil-based top coat for extended protection. The chic, minimalist bottles give Sunday's polishes an upscale, spa-like feel.
4. RGB Cosmetics Nail Polish
Price Range: $18 per bottle
Key Features: Vegan, 5-free formula, range of innovative finishes
Review: RGB Cosmetics nail polishes are completely vegan and 5-free, excluding formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. In place of harsh chemicals, RGB uses nourishing ingredients like niacinamide, bamboo stem extract, and biotin to support nail health.
RGB offers unlimited nail polish options with tons of shades and unique finishes. Beyond creams and shimmers, they have multi-chrome polishes, holographic, glitters, speckled polishes, and more. The 5-free formula allows the polishes to maintain their vivid colors without staining nails. Apply 2-3 thin coats for best results.
5. Kure Bazaar Non-Toxic Nail Polish
Price Range: $15-$18 per bottle
Key Features: Vegan, 10-free formula, plant-based ingredients
Review: Kure Bazaar makes luxurious vegan and 10-free nail lacquers. Their polishes exclude all major toxic ingredients of concern like formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and more. Instead, they use nourishing plant-derived ingredients like tea tree oil, sunflower oil, and papaya extract to care for nails.
Kure Bazaar offers a refined color collection of rich creams, shimmers, and glitters. The 10-free formula applies glossy and opaque in just 1-2 coats. For extended wear, use their ridge-filling base coat and quick-drying top coat.
6. Piggy Paint Nail Polish
Price Range: $7-$9 per bottle
Key Features: Non-toxic, kid-friendly colors, water-based formula
Review: Piggy Paint makes safe, non-toxic nail polishes designed for kids but great for anyone. Their formula is completely free of chemicals of concern like formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, and more. Instead, it uses a natural water base and ingredients like calcium and essential oils.
The brand focuses on playful, kid-friendly colors in finishes like cream, glitter, and neon. Piggy Paint polishes apply easily and dry quickly on little fingers and toes. While they naturally wear off more quickly than standard polish, the trade-off is a formula you feel good about using on delicate kids’ nails.
7. Karma Organic Nail Polish
Price Range: $15-$18 per bottle
Key Features: 11-free, vegan formula, natural bristle brush
Review: Karma Organic makes premium vegan nail polishes in fashion-forward shades. The 11-free formula contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, animal products, or major ingredients of concern. Instead, it uses soothing ingredients like aloe vera, sweet almond oil, and green tea extract.
The polishes apply smoothly and have impressive lasting power for a non-toxic formula. Karma Organic also uses natural bristle brushes for easier application than synthetic brushes. Their top coat helps extend wear. For a complete system, use Karma Organic’s vegan nail polish remover.
8. Pacifica Vegan Nail Polish
Price Range: $10 per bottle
Key Features: Vegan, 7-free formula, affordable price point
Review: Pacifica makes affordable, high-performing clean nail polishes. Their polishes are 100% vegan and 7-free, formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, or TPHP. Instead, they use nourishing ingredients like flax seed oil, vitamin C, and bamboo extract.
Pacifica offers lots of on-trend cream and shimmer shades. The glossy formula applies smoothly in 2-3 coats. For extended wear, pair with Pacifica’s Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Top Coat. Pacifica nail polish remover is also vegan and made with nourishing coconut oil.
Non-Toxic Nail Polish Comparison Chart
What to Look for in Non-Toxic Nail Polish
When shopping for safe nail polish, keep an eye out for these key characteristics:
Free of Toxic Chemicals
Look for polishes labeled as 5/7/10/11-free, indicating they are formulated without toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, phthalates, and toluene.
Nourishing Ingredients
See ingredients like vitamin E, essential oils, aloe vera, jojoba oil, bamboo extract, and other natural extracts that care for nails.
Vegan Formulas
No animal byproducts or animal testing. Many mainstream polishes contain ingredients like shellac or guanine from fish scales.
Good Range of Colors and Finishes
Quality non-toxic polish brands offer diverse colors and finishes like cream, shimmer, matte, glitter, and more to suit different styles.
Smoother Application and Longer Wear
Non-toxic polishes apply evenly and last long with the help of base coats, top coats, and thicker formulas that help resist chipping.
How to Care for Nails Using Non-Toxic Polish
Follow these tips to get the most out of your natural nail polish while caring for your nails:
Always use a base coat: Apply 1 layer first to fill ridges and prevent staining. Let dry before polishing.
Apply thinner coats: Go for 2-3 thin coats vs. 1 thick coat for even application and quicker drying.
Seal with a good top coat: Use a natural top coat to help polish set and extend wear time. Reapply top coat every 2-3 days.
Give nails a break: Take occasional polish breaks of 1-2 weeks to nourish bare nails. Apply moisturizing oil during breaks.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help nourish and strengthen nails from within.
Use treatments: Try overnight treatments with oils and kinds of butter to deeply condition nails 1-2 times per week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is non-toxic nail polish really better for your nails?
Yes, non-toxic nail polishes skip harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates that can cause nail damage over time. Good natural polish brands also use nail-healthy ingredients like oils, vitamins, and plant extracts to actively nourish nails. This makes them a safer choice for long-term nail health.
Does non-toxic nail polish chip more easily?
In the past, non-toxic polishes did not wear quite as long as standard polish before chipping. However, many clean nail polish brands have reformulated to last longer. Using a base coat and top coat also helps non-toxic polish wear for up to 7 days without chipping for many people.
Is vegan nail polish the same as non-toxic polish?
Not necessarily. While many vegan polishes also happen to be formulated without harsh chemicals, some may still contain ingredients like formaldehyde and toluene. Be sure to look specifically for non-toxic nail polish that is free of chemicals of concern. Also, check that is labeled cruelty-free or vegan.
Does non-toxic nail polish dry out more quickly?
Non-toxic nail polish that is water-based rather than solvent-based can dry out more quickly. Make sure to tightly close bottles after each use. You can also add a few drops of thinner to revive a thickened formula. In general, quality natural nail polishes have decent shelf lives of 1-2 years.
Choose the Healthiest Nail Polish for Nails
While it may take a little more effort to find them, there are now many great non-toxic nail polish options that deliver vibrant colors without unhealthy chemicals. Brands like Zoya, Sundays, and Ella+Mila make it easy to get a perfect manicure while also caring for your nail health.
Give some of these top natural nail polish brands a try the next time your bottle runs dry. Your nails will thank you!
