Everyone knows weekly manicures have their consequences—hello, dwindling bank account—but that may not be the only way they’re hazardous.
The reality is, nail polish is the most toxic cosmetic there is, so painting your nails every week is like coating them with a medley of dangerous toxins. There’s formaldehyde, phthalates, acetone, toluene and benzophenones—all proven to damage your eyes, brain, lungs, endocrine system, respiratory system, you name it.
So what’s a girl to do?
Stock up on these as-natural-as-they-get mani must-haves. Don’t see your faves here? Gauge where your current slew of shades fall on the “green” spectrum by finding it on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Cosmetic Database.
Read more in our Non-Toxic Nail Polish Guide.
1Julep Nail Vernis
Prettify your nails and the world with Julep Nail Vernis (Try: Julep Spring Nail Polish Collection, $35) since $1 from the sale of every bottle goes to Powered by Girlfriends, a program that helps to empower and support women. Shown here in Blake.
2Sumbody Nail Polish
Made in the good old U.S. of A, Sumbody Nail Polish, $9.95 each, sumbody.com, is quick drying as well as 3- and camphor-Free. Shown here (from left) in When Pigs Fly, Mile High Club, and Fresh Squeezed.
3GALLERY:
Go bold on hands and feet with Orly Nail Lacquers, Starting at $5.00.
4RGB Cosmetics
Appropriately inspired by the mnemonic for the seven colors of the rainbow, RGB Cosmetics, $16, (Try: RGB Polish in “Sea”, $29.99) is 4- and camphor-Free and includes just about every color under the sun. Shown here in Coral.
5Nubar Nail Polishes
Longwearing as well as vegan and 3-Free, the just-launched pastel Nubar Nail Polishes, starting at $4.00, gives your mani a flash of femininity. Shown here in Earthen.
6Butter London Nail Lacquers
Inspired by Monet’s colorful masterpieces, the latest collection of 3-Free Butter London Nail Lacquers, $14, is guaranteed to be hot, hot, hot for summer. Shown here in Teddy Girl.
7Priti NYC Flowers nail polish
Vegan and 3-Free, the new Bon Voyage series from Priti NYC Flowers nail polish pays homage to chic beach spots such as St. Tropez and La Baule. Shown here in Sky Waltz Delphinium, $12.50. (For fall try: Priti Nail Polish Found Here, $11)
8G2 Organics Nail Polish Remover
Odorless and non-acetone, G2 Organics Nail Polish Remover, $9.95, g2organics.com, removes polish without harsh chemicals.
9Sheswai Lacquer
All of the caps on 3-Free and vegan Sheswai Lacquer, $16, are harvested from wood that’s grown on family-owned tree farms, plus part of the production is completed by Willing Workers, an organization made up of disabled men and women. Shown here in Honeyfox.
Sheswai Lacquer in Honeyfox, $16
This product is available at our sister site, BeautySage, where we only sell products that are proven to work!
10Spa Ritual Fluent Gentle Conditioning Lacquer Remover
Sugar-derived solvents and the fragrance of Italian red mandarin essential oil, Spa Ritual Fluent Gentle Conditioning Lacquer Remover, $5, quickly dissolves polish without unnecessary (and stinky) chemicals.
11Nails Inc Polishes
Born across the pond and just hitting U.S. soil, Nails Inc Polishes, $9.50, (available now!), is 3-Free and named after iconic UK destinations. Shown here in Haymarket.
GALLERY: Fake Flawless Skin With This Makeup
Read more about ingredients to avoid in our Non-Toxic Nail Polish Guide.
