Megan Pfiffner: Functional Nutrition

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Let’s Get Our Nails Done!

Megan Pfiffner

Cosmetics are a grey area in the US. Many ingredients that are banned in other countries are allowed in the US. The why and the politics behind all of this is a much bigger, longer story. Here are the FDA Nail Care guidelines and safety information. Consumer and manufacturers’ frustration with the lack of government regulation has led to industry self-regulation. Below are some common marketing terms used to inform consumers which ingredients are left out of their nail polishes. These are generally the more toxic ingredients but remember there are always substitutes which may or may not be better than the original ingredient. These terms “5-free” etc are also not regulated. Use these terms as a guide but if you are truly concerned about chemical and toxic exposure you can run the individual ingredients in your polish through the EWG Skin deep database. They do not have a robust amount of nail polish brands already listed so the ingredients can be easier. Campaign for Safe Cosmetics is an advocacy organization focused on passing legislation to ban chemicals that are associated with breast cancer. They have resources on ingredients as well as information on state and federal legislation in the space.

“5-free” nail polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate (aka dbp), formaldehyde and formaldehyde resins, toluene, or camphor.

“7-free” nail polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate (aka dbp), formaldehyde and formaldehyde resins, toluene, or camphor), ethyl tosylamide, or triphenyl phosphate (aka tphp).

“8-free” nail polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate (dbp), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate (tphp) or xylene.

“10-free” nail polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate (dbp), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate (tphp), xylene, parabens, or tert-butyl hydroperoxide.

Some brands listed below boast a greater than “10-free” number. I am not familiar enough with the industry to know if that matters or if it is more marketing. There is often a trade-off for low toxicity that usually comes with shorter wear or chipping. If you have any favorites that are missing from the list let us know!

Nail polish - low or non-toxic brands