In this guide, we are sharing why you should consider making the switch to non-toxic nail polish, and giving you all of our favorite non-toxic nail polish brands, including nail polish removers and safer nail polish options for kids!

Table of Contents

This article has been a LONG time coming! I really started my research on safer nail polish years ago, when we were first considering starting a family. From there, I’ve learned a lot about what matters, what doesn’t matter, what to prioritize, and some of the pro’s and con’s of the safer polish brand options out there. We utilized the EWG, our own extensive use of the polishes (manicure research, not a bag gig), and the websites of each individual brand to help formulate our guide!

For those of you curious about more of the geeky skincare science AND for those of you curious about how to navigate salon options (think: gel and dip powders), we have those articles coming next!

Let’s dig in…

woman using non-toxic nail polish to paint her nails

Truth be told, the contact that nail polish makes with your skin is relatively minor when compared to other skincare and beauty products. If you’re at the beginning stages of switching-to-safer and feeling overwhelmed by all of the swaps you could make, I recommend prioritizing products that make the most regular contact with your skin (think: lotion or makeup). If you’re looking for a safer beauty swap priority list, here’s my suggestion:

  • First: products that you apply regularly and that are designed to sit on or soak into the skin. This includes: body lotion, face lotions, serums, oils, makeup, toners, eye cream, etc. My go-to safer skincare brand here.
  • Second: deodorant. My go-to safer deodorant here.
  • Third: products that you soak in regularly, such as a bubble bath or other kind of spa-like soak. My favorite soak here.
  • Fourth: soaps, including body wash and shampoo/conditioner. My favorite safer body products here and my favorite shampoo / conditioner.
  • Fifth: perfume, if you wear it multiple times a week; bump to the end of the list if you wear infrequently. My favorite safer perfume here.
  • Sixth: hair styling products. My favorite safer styling products here.
  • Seventh: nail polish. Read on for my favorites!

Is nail polish toxic only when it makes contact with the skin?

You may think that your nail serves as a protective barrier against nail polish and that it can only be absorbed when it comes into contact with your skin. However, while your skin is more porous than your actual nail, chemicals CAN pass through either barrier. What does this mean? It means that while the toxins in nail polish will pass through your skin at a greater rate, they can also still pass through your nail. So, if you’re still married to your conventional nail polish, be careful to only paint on the nail.

Is nail polish toxic to breathe?

This is a great question! YES, there are a few vaporous toxic ingredients that will waft up while you’re painting your nails. Ingredients include toluene, formaldehyde, and camphor. A few of these are relatively benign (think: rubbing alcohol) but others can actually have an impact on brain functionality, respiratory health, and can cause headaches. If you know that you’re not going to give up your salon manicure (no judgment!) but you are concerned about breathing in the chemicals, a filtering mask (like this one from Amazon) may be worth stashing in your purse for your weekly trip to the manicurist. If you are doing your own at-home manicure, another option to consider is to paint your nails by an open window!

Is dry nail polish toxic?

Unfortunately, it looks like toxins from nail polish do stay in your body long after the polish dries. The chemical TPHP has been found to stay in the body several hours after using polish. The verdict is still out as to whether or not this chemical has any serious long term effects on people, but if you are a regular nail polish user, we have put compiled a list of non- or low-toxic options!

Toxic Nail Polish Brands (Worth Avoiding)

zoya non-toxic nail polish on a marble board in front of a woman painting her nails

While we’re not on a mission to vilify any one brand, the labels that actually pack the biggest toxic load punch are a few of our salon-staple favorites:

OPI

*Updated information: A reader commented thinking that OPI was 10-free, but because we couldn’t find any evidence of that online, we decided to email them. Here’s their response: “Our products are 3 free. At this time we do not have any information on our products becoming 5 free, 10 free, etc.”

*Original information: OPI Nail Polish boasts about not having the toxic trio (toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB) but, it has other ingredients that aren’t the greatest: camphor, which can cause nausea and dizziness if inhaled, and Benzophenone 1, which may negatively affect the endocrine system.

Essie

While word on the street is that Essie is a safer nail polish, we beg to differ. Like OPI, Essie is considered “3-free” (free of toluene, formaldehyde, and DPB) but it also has several ingredients we aren’t fans of. It contains aluminum powder and dimethicone. Neither one of these is great for your body to absorb on a regular basis. Though the most recent information from the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic database is a little dated, they gave Essie a score of 6 at one point, which is in the moderately hazardous category.

Sally Hansen

*Updated information: Sally Hansen has a brand new “Good. Kind. Pure.” line that claims to be 16-free and 100% vegan. We can’t verify any ratings on EWG yet, but this sounds promising!

*Original information: Sally Hansen nail polish is also considered “3-free.” Although this is encouraging, it also has some ingredients that aren’t the safest, like triphenyl phosphate. This ingredient is considered a toxic ingredient and may lead to allergies. The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic database gives Sally Hansen a score of 8, which is in the highly hazardous category.

Revlon

The EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic database gives Revlon a score of 3 and 6, which is in the moderately hazardous category. However, with ingredients like aluminum powder, it’s still on our no-go list.

bottles of non-toxic nail polish in many colors laid out on a marble board

We tested and tested and tested this for you! After dozens of safer nail polishes, countless colors, and countless team manicures, we’ve come up with a list of the best healthy nail polish brands with notes on how they actually perform. We believe there’s something for everyone here!

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Dazzle Dry Nail System

This nail system has rocked my “safer polish” world! It’s super user-friendly and is the best at-home solution I’ve found for replacing my bi-monthly salon mani/pedi. Unfortunately, there is no EWG rating available for this polish. For more of an in depth Dazzle Dry System review, click HERE.

Pros:

  • 10-free (free of 10 of the most harmful leading polish ingredients)
  •  Non-toxic AND hypoallergenic, making it especially ideal for those with sensitive skin
  • Super easy to apply – goes on just like regular nail polish
  • Dries in just 5 minutes…YES, it really does!
  • Lasts for *two* weeks (through washing dishes (2x/day), cooking, gardening, and playing with my daughter!)
  • Dazzle Dry is partners with WeForest Project in India, so it’s a company I feel really good about supporting.

Cons:

  • Individual polishes are priced at $18 a bottle, but well worth the cost, in my opinion.

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

Aila Nail Polish

This polish has a formula that is actually designed to nourish and improve the condition of your nails. This is a great polish to start with if you are looking for less toxic options! Unfortunately, at this time, there is no EWG rating available for this polish.

pros:

  • Free of 8 of the harshest chemicals found in most polishes, including formaldehyde.
  • The formula has nutrients to help the overall health of your nails (including their oil-based polish remover).
  • Applies BEAUTIFULLY! The applicator brush is precise and the paint didn’t ever lump or bubble.
  • Dries quickly! I could paint my nails 30 minutes before bed without worry of waking up to the imprint of my sheets on my nails.
  • Marked as cruelty-free and gluten-free.
  • At $14 a bottle, this is one of the lower-priced polishes on our list.

cons:

  • I could get an honest 5 days out of a manicure, though note that my nails take a beating (I wash a lot of dishes). This is actually higher than several of the other brands below, but not nearly as long as a conventional gel or dip manicure.
  • I found that the nail polish remover (notes on it below) would leak if I traveled with it.

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

Cote Safer Nail Polish

This polish is free of 6 of the most harmful polish chemicals. It comes in a variety of modern colors and tends to last longer than most low-toxin polishes. An EWG rating is not yet available for Cote nail polish.

pros:

  • Free of 6 of the most harmful polish chemicals
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • 120 different shades in beautiful, modern color gradients
  • Comes in a beautiful variety of colors
  • Marketed as lasting longer than most low-toxin polishes, though I only really got about 6 days out of a manicure.

cons:

  • I found that this polish takes a little longer to dry (had to give my nails a good 30-45 minutes of no contact) and did not pass the “paint nails before bed” sheet imprint test.
  • $18 a bottle, it’s a higher price for not much better performance, in my opinion.

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

  • Spring – Sea Foam Green is a beautiful soft, green
  • Summer – No. 2 is a vibrant white
  • Fall – No. 48 is a pretty mauve
  • Winter – No. 32 is a great option for a classic red

Zoya Nail Polish

Zoya is known for its long-lasting wear and non-toxic formula. With over 400 hundred colors to choose from, you will have no trouble finding the perfect color for fall. Zoya nail polish is currently not in the EWG database.

pros:

  • 10-free (free of 10 of the most harmful leading polish ingredients)
  • Also marketed as having long-lasting wear, I also got about 6 days out of a manicure.
  • Their marketing material boasts a non-toxic formula, but it’s tough to find exact details on what this means.
  • I found that if I were in a rush, I could actually apply a single coat and still have a finished (though not quite as long-lasting) look.
  • $10 a bottle, this is one of the most affordable on our list!

cons:

  • Similar to Cote, I found that the average color from the line took a while to dry.
  • I also found that it had a tendency of going on thicker, making it slightly trickier to apply.

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

  • Spring – Elena is a beautiful, soft baby blue
  • Summer – Paz is a fun orange, red
  • Fall – Rye is a great purple that pops on your fingers
  • Winter – Willa is the perfect “make a statement” black

Piggy Paint Nail Polish

You can check out matte or glossy options at your local Target! This polish has an EWG rating of 1/2, which is considered the lowest hazardous score!

pros:

  • 7-free
  • No harsh smell
  • Very low toxicity
  • Fun, vibrant colors
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
  • Only $7.99 a bottle, this is an amazing value for such a low-toxic polish option!

cons:

  • Water-based formula- does not last as long as other formulas (use a base/top coat for longer wear!)

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

  • Spring – Jazz It Up target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Jazz It Up is fun pink that is great on any skin complexion
  • Summer – LOL is the perfect hot pink for summer
  • Fall – Sleepover is a gorgeous deep gray
  • Winter – Sometimes Sweet is a great deeper red

Sophi Nail Polish

This company has gone above and beyond to figure out how to create vibrant, beautiful colors without sacrificing health. They currently have an EWG rating of 1/2. This is considered a very low toxic score!

pros:

  • Free of all toxic chemicals, not just 10 free!
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Beautiful color options
  • I will say that when I put in the effort for a Sophi manicure, it did last a few days longer than the other options! About 7 full days with heavy “nail abuse” (lots of dishes washed, cooking, gardening, etc.).
  • Closest safer option to a conventional gel manicure, in my opinion.
  • We love that this polish is only $7.99 a bottle!

cons:

  • This polish takes some getting used to. Application is easy, but to set the polish, you have to use heat (like from a blow-drier) at each coat. If it’s not a routine you’re accustomed to, this can add some time to your manicure.
  • You need the Sophi polish remover in order to remove this polish (or just peel it off – no bueno). Read more on the remover below! It’s unique!

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

  • Spring – ROME-ance Me is a lovely pink that isn’t too bright
  • Summer – Sophi” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>Pretty Shore About You is a soft turquoiuse
  • Fall – Eiffel of Love is the perfect soft gray
  • Winter – French Latte is a beautiful, soft nude

ella + mila Nail Polish 

ella + mila is another great brand to add to your nail polish collection. At this time, there is no rating for this polish in the EWG database.

pros:

  • 7-free
  • Low in odor
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • Extremely chip-resistant
  • On the more cost-efficient side of our polish lists at only $7-10.50 a bottle

cons:

  • Takes a little longer to dry

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

100% Pure Nail Polish

Although not as safe as other non-toxic polishes (rolling in at a 6 in EWG), 100% Pure Safer Nail Polishes come in some lovely colors.

pros:

  • 10-free of the top 10 most common toxic polish ingredients, including formaldehyde.
  • The formula is creamy and goes on smooth.
  • Marketed as safe for kids (though, that EWG rating is concerning).
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • $14 a bottle, a decent price for non-toxic polish!

cons:

  • Scored a 6 in EWG, one of the highest of the “safer” polishes on the market.

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

Poofy Organics Nail Polish

We love that Poofy Organics is another non-toxic nail polish with a low EWG rating. This polish scored a 2!

pros:

  • Not just 10-free! Free of 12 harmful toxins that other nail polishes use.
  • Chip resistant – I could get an honest 6 days out of a manicure with minimal “wear”.
  • Safe for kids
  • Cruelty-free
  • At $11 a bottle, this is a great value for a low-toxic polish.

cons:

  • It can take a little longer to dry, so give yourself some time between your at-home manicure and your next activity.

Certifications:

  • Leaping Bunny Certified

Favorite Colors:

NCLA Nail Polish 

Coming in with an EWG rating of 3/4 (moderately hazardous category), this polish option falls near the bottom of the list for the team.

pros:

  • 7-free (making it free of Toluene, Camphor, and 5 other harmful chemicals)
  • Marketed as a high-shine formula
  • Vegan, cruelty-free
  • Really fresh, young colors to choose from
  • $16 for a bottle, it’s priced right in the middle of the pack

cons:

  • Though I like so much of what this brand stands for, the slightly higher EWG rating is concerning.

Certifications:

  • Leaping Bunny Certified

Favorite Colors:

  • Spring – ncla target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”>We’re Off to Never Never Land is a beautiful muted purple cream
  • Summer –Yellowstone is the perfect subtle yellow
  • Fall –ncla 2” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener nofollow”> Rose Sheer is the perfect sheer cream
  • Winter – Rodeo Drive Royalty is a rich red ideal for Christmas and New Year’s

Karma Organic Natural Nail Polish

Unfortunately, there is no EWG information available for this polish at this time.

pros:

  • 10 free
  • Non-yellowing formula
  • Long-lasting
  • Easy to remove
  • Made without the leading harsh chemicals
  • Vegan and cruelty-free
  • At just $9.99 a bottle, this polish won’t break the bank!

cons:

  • Not as low odor as some of the other natural polishes

Certifications:

  • None that we could find.

Favorite Colors:

Nontoxic Nail Polish Remover Options

It took some digging and you should know that safer nail polish removers can be very different in experience than traditional polish remover! Some are gel-like, some are oil-based, some require (what feels like) way more product, and some don’t feel any different at all. Here are a few of the brands we recommend:

This is a great option for remover because it easily removes polish without that overwhelming obnoxious remover smell. In fact, it actually smells like Lavender! It also has nutrients in it that help condition and protects the nail.

Zoya Nail Polish Remover

pros:

  • Doesn’t have that overwhelming obnoxious remover smell
  • Smells like Lavender
  • Has nutrients in it that help condition and protect the nail

cons:

  • More expensive than traditional nail polish removers

Cote Nail Polish Remover

The pros of Cote nail polish remover are that it comes in a very handy top-press dispenser, but I’ve found that it has an offensive odor and evaporates very quickly, causing me to use a lot of product to get my polish removed.

pros:

  • Comes in a very handy top-press dispenser

cons:

  • I’ve found that it has an offensive odor
  • Evaporates very quickly, causing me to use a lot of product to get my polish removed

Sophi Nail Polish Remover

Though this polish remover only makes sense if you’re using it to remove Sophie nail polish, it does work well! It’s actually a gel and you will apply it to sit on top of your nails for several minutes. Once the remover has worked, you’ll notice that the Sophie nail polish has “lifted” off of your nail. It’s pretty neat!

pros:

  • It works like a charm!
  • It’s like observing a science experiment

cons:

  • It can be difficult to use at first
  • You have to sit still while the “remover” separates the polish from your nail

Aila Nail Polish Remover

This one is my personal favorite! It doesn’t have an offensive odor, is oil-like, and removes the polish beautifully.

pros:

  • Doesn’t have an offensive odor
  • It is actually oil-like, and removes the polish beautifully

cons:

  • It can leak if you travel with it

Non Toxic Nail Polish Brands for Kids

Piggy Paint Girl’s Nail Polish

This is a great option if you are looking for 100% non-toxic nail polish for kids. It is chemical-free, low odor, and comes in fun colors!

pros:

  • 100% non-toxic nail polish
  • Low odor
  • Comes in fun colors

cons:

  • Tends to chip easily (use a top coat)

Emosa Nail Polish for Kids

This polish is water-based and is free of harsh chemicals. We love this set because of the fun color options and because it comes with a top coat!

pros:

  • Free of many harsh chemicals

cons:

  • Water-based (top or base coat needed)

Karma Kid’s Nail Polish

This is another great option for kids! Although it is free of several harsh chemicals, it does tend to have a stronger smell than other non-toxic polishes.

pros:

  • Free of many harsh chemicals

cons:

  • Stronger smell

Snails Non-Toxic Nail Polish

This polish is completely toxin-free, odorless, and even washable!

pros:

  • Toxin-free
  • Odorless
  • Washable

cons:

  • A little more expensive (~$11/bottle)

Frequently Asked Questions

What brand nail polish do salons use?

Not to villainize salons, but *most* of them aren’t using high-quality non-toxic polish. Many salons use OPI and other brands that are less than ideal. Be bold and bring your safer nail polish to the salon with you, though! Many salons are more than happy to accommodate you by using your polish if you just ask.

What brand of nail polish lasts the longest?

Through all of our testing, we found that the Dazzle Dry system far and away outlasted the rest! In fact, it stayed on for a solid 10-14 days.

What if you just can’t give up your go-to nail polish?

We totally understand! If you want to take one small step towards safer, consider first painting your nail with a safer polish base coat (this is my favorite safer polish base coat). Let that dry (forming a barrier) and then apply your favorite conventional nail polish color on top.

Video

Here’s our take on safe Nail Polish Brands

Don’t stress! There are better options available to us now, but we don’t think it’s anything to lose sleep over.

About the Author

Cassy Joy Garcia, NC

Cassy Joy Garcia, a New York Times best-selling author, of Cook Once Dinner Fix, Cook Once Eat All Week, and Fed and Fit as well as the creative force behind the popular food blog Fed & Fit.

Read More About Me

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63 Comments

    1. We haven’t, but we’ll add it to our list of polishes to try!

  2. I do not agree with your list. I’ve had ella+mila polish (Entice Me) and it chips the very same day I put it on. I don’t see how you can claim it’s “extremely chip resistance”. It lasted only a day or two for me.

    Also, Essie has stated that by the end of 2020 all polishes would be 8-free and vegan. Have you checked into it since publishing this article?

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the feedback! Cassy tested each of these nail polish brands and shared her experience – we’re so sorry that ella+mila didn’t work for you. We update this article a couple of times a year – I’ll be sure to check on the Essie polish and update if necessary.

  3. Thank you for your article. I was wondering if you have any information on Target’s brand of mail lacquer called Defy and Inspire? Thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hi Donna! Thank you for reaching out! We don’t have any information on Defy and Inspire, but will certainly add it to our list of nail polishes to look into as we update the article. -Team FF

  4. Very good article, thank you for the info have you done some research about 3INA nail polish?

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Linnea! We have not, but can add that to our list. Thank you for sharing!

  5. THANK YOU for this article!!!

    I’m sensitive to smells, and can’t use traditional polish anymore. (And I miss having pretty nails!!) I’ve been searching for weeks and this is the most helpful info BY FAR!

    Would you mind sharing which have the least odor? I would REALLY appreciate your help.
    THANY YOU!!

    Reply

    1. Hi Nina! I am so glad that you found the article helpful. Odor would be a great add for us when we update the article. Thank you for your feedback! -Melissa

  6. Thank you for this article; informative and very helpful. I have been trying to research non-toxic (-/+ less toxic) for months. I have been painting my fingernails myself for at least 50 years. In the last year or so, I have become hyper sensitive to so many brands of polish. I most definitely cannot use anything that has gel in it. Zoya looks to be my best option and after reading this article I’m fairly confident it will work for me

    Reply

    1. We are so glad you found this helpful. Thank you for taking the time to share with us. -Melissa

    1. Hi Kali! Thanks for sharing! I am not familiar with that brand. I will have to look into it! ~Melissa

  8. How do you feel about the Flex Nail polishes? It is called Micro Pore by Flex Nail. I wore acrillic and then silk nails for years. Then I started using Nautique Plus to strenthen my nails and it worked for a long time. Now I’m experiencing nails that peel and crack (apparently from years of using polish). I want color, but am trying to find something healthy. Help?

    Reply

    1. I haven’t heard of it, Sharon! We’ll add it to our list to look into, though!

  9. Do you know if the new Essie nail polishes are safe now? They claim to be 8-free and I just bought some but am not sure whether I should use them.

    Reply

  10. Polish is not only for women and girls. You should update that in your descriptions to be more inclusive.

    Reply

    1. Hi Barbara — we’ll add that brand to our list to research!

  12. I wrote ella+mila asking if there was any aluminum in their nail polish and this is what their link to their nail polishes said:
    Nail Polish Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid/Phthalic Acid/Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer, Citric Acid, Bis(glycidoxyphenyl propane/Bisamino methylnorbornane Copolymer, Aluminum Hydroxide, Polybutylene Terephthalate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
    Polish May contain (+/-): Aluminum Powder (CI 77000), Iron Oxides (CI 77499 / CI 77491), Red 34 Lake(CI 15880), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Mica (CI 77019), Blue 1 (CI 42090), Yellow 11 (CI 47000), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Violet 2 (CI 60725), Yellow 10 (CI 47005), Red 28 (CI 45410), Red 22 (CI 45380)

    Thought you would appreciate knowing. I am very allergic to aluminum so it is so important for me to have confidence in the products I use.
    Thank you for your website. I will check on the other nail polishes you recommend. Do you know of any that don’t have any aluminum in them?

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for your comment, Linda! We’ll look into it and let you know what we find!

    1. I think they just have the regular one that we linked here, Lorrie!

  14. I think you need to do more research update your article. The top “brands to avoid” you listed are actually as safe as the safe ones you listed. Sally Hansen has a rating of “10 free” and so does OPI.

    Reply

    1. Cassie! Thank you so much for commenting! The GOAL of safer skincare education is that safer becomes the standard – and bigger, more established companies updating their formulas is incredible progress! We’ll do some digging/research on if any of the ones you mentioned have documented formula updates and will make note of it.

  15. Thank you for the research. I have used non toxic polish for years because I am extremely sensitive to even a hint of toxins and this gives me some lower priced alternatives to check out. I do bring my own polish to my salon. Have you tested Static Nails or LVX? Static Nails uses ingredients that help nails and usually lasts me about 10 days. The LVX does not last as long for me, so I use it less than I did.

    Reply

    1. We haven’t, Shari, but we’ll definitely look into those brands. Our favorite safer nail polish brand is Dazzle Dry!