10 Gentler-On-You-And-The-Planet Nail Polishes To Try Now
If you're like us and you like to change up your nail polish regularly, you probably know a thing or two about the polish biz and that some of the chemicals found in certain formulas aren't great for our health or the environment. Over the last few years, some nail polish brands began removing a group of ingredients from their formulas that were dubbed the "toxic trio": dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde and toluene.
Being a three-free polish is now pretty much the industry norm, but there are a few other brands that have gone further to remove additional potentially harmful ingredients from their formulas. We've rounded up some of our fave nail polishes that are five-, seven-, eight- and nine-free — so you can always have a fresh coat of paint on your nails.
Non-Toxic Nail Polish
Tenoverten
What started as an in-demand nail salon in New York’s Tribeca neighbourhood has now grown into a beautiful line of eco-friendly nail polishes. The collection of colours has something for everyone, from neutrals to brights and metallics and each shade is named after an NYC street.
Tenoverten polishes are eight-free and do not contain formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP). They are also cruelty-free, vegan and made in the USA.
Nail Polish in Mulberry, $24, amazon.ca
RGB
Founder Gina Carney started RGB in 2009 with 10 essential colours and a base and top coat, but the brand has now grown to carry multiple shades and a full nail care line. Their polishes aim to boost the luxe factor on green polishes thanks to rich, long-wearing colours and chic minimalist packaging.
RGB polishes are five-free and do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthlate) and camphor. In addition, all formulas are vegan, cruelty, gluten and paraben-free and conflict-free, meaning they are produced under fair trade conditions.
Nail Colour in Cerulean, $12, rgbcosmetics.com
Priti NYC
When founder Kim D’Amato couldn’t find natural beauty products that she was happy with during her pregnancy, Priti NYC was born. The line features over 100 shades of eco-friendly lacquer and they’ve also launched a soy-based nail polish remover that’s acetone and carcinogen-free.
Priti NYC polishes are seven-free and do not contain toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene and TPHP. They are also vegan, cruelty and gluten-free, do not contain parabens and are made in the USA.
Nail Polish in Baby Talk, $48, amazon.ca
Butter London
Butter London launched in 2005 and was the first nail polish brand to use the phrase “three-free.” They quickly became cult fave polishes thanks to the brand’s kaleidoscope-like range of colours and cheeky Brit-inspired shade names.
Butter London polishes are eight-free and do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP, toluene, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, TPHP. They are also free from parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, sodium lauryl sulfate, phthalates, BHA and triclosan.
Nail Lacquer in Come to Bed Red, $19, butterlondon.ca
Smith & Cult
Smith & Cult’s packaging alone is enough to make you fall head over heels for this polish. Created by Dineh Mohajer (who was the founder of the beloved ’90s beauty brand Hard Candy), these polishes are ultra luxe but also eco-conscious. Need we say more?
Smith & Cult nail polishes are eight-free and do not contain dibutyl phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide or triphenyl phosphate. They are also vegan, gluten, paraben and cruelty-free.
Nail Lacquer in Darjeeling Darling, $24, amazon.ca
Spa Ritual
Shel Pink founded green beauty brand Spa Ritual in 2004. We are madly in love with the brand’s lacquers that are super pigmented and strengthen your nails with each coat.
SpaRitual polishes are five-free and do not contain DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin and are also vegan and cruelty-free.
Nourishing Vegan Color Nail Polish in Inner Peace, $14, nailpolishcanada.com
Zoya
Nail polish giant Zoya was one of the first brands to remove toxins from their polishes years ago. The are also unrivalled in colour selection; their website boasts over 400 available shades.
Zoya polishes are nine-free and do not contain toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide and lead. They are also paraben-free.
Professional Lacquer in Cora, $12, nailpolishcanada.com
Treat Collection
Based in Berlin and Los Angeles, Treat Collection has a great selection of long-wearing, fast-drying nail polishes. Thanks to the luxe glass bottle and sleek gold handle, they also sit pretty on your vanity table.
Treat Collection nail polishes are five-free and do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP or dibutyl phthalate and camphor. They are also cruelty-free, vegan and made in the USA.
Nail Polish in Summer Time, $24, thedetoxmarket.ca
Londontown
Founded in the U.K. and containing a family recipe of botanical extracts like rapeseed flower oil, evening primrose oil and chamomile, Londontown polishes work to strengthen and nourish nails while delivering a long-wearing, glossy finish.
Londontown polishes are eight-free and do not contain formaldehyde, camphor, toluene, DBP (dibutyl pthalate and phthalates), formaldehyde resin, xylene, ethyl tosylamide and lead. They are also paraben and cruelty-free and are made in the USA.
Lakur Enhanced Colour in Across the Pond, $18, theshoppingchannel.com
Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann is synonymous with nails. She’s known for being the go-to girl for celeb manicures and has created nail looks for countless designers at fashion week. Her namesake polishes are loved for their wearability, colour selection and luxe formulas.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro nail polishes are seven-free and do not contain formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthlate), camphor, xylene, and diethylhexyl adipate. In addition, they’re formulated without parabens or sulfates and are cruelty-free.
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