Can we talk about these “avoid nail polish ingredients?”
Have you noticed? These days you can’t buy a nail polish without someone telling you what’s NOT in it.
“Buy me, I’m free fom Toluene!”
“No, pick me! I’m free from Toluene AND Formaldehyde”.
It’s like a race. The brand that removes the most “nasties” wins. But are there any nasties in nail polish? Mmmm…
I’ve put under the microscope three of the worst offenders that are quickly being removed from nail polishes, those on the avoid nail polish ingredients list: Dibutyl Phthalates, Formaldehyde, and Toluene.
Are they really as dangerous as people claim? Let’s see what the science says:
1. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
WHAT IS IT?
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is a plasticizer. It makes nail polish more flexible so it’s easier to apply and doesn’t chip easily. Basically, it’s what keeps your mani looking fresh instead of cracking and peeling off after a day. Think of it as the secret sauce that keeps nail polish looking good. Oh, and it’s not just in nail polish. It’s used in all sorts of stuff like adhesives, inks, and even some personal care products. It makes things bendy and stretchy, which is why it works so well in nail polish.
WHY DOES IT HAVE A BAD REP?
DBP causes birth defects and miscarriages in animal tests. Plus, it’s an endocrine disruptor that affects the reproductive system of male rats. Yep, that’s pretty bad. It messes with hormones and has been shown to cause all sorts of issues in animal studies, from developmental problems to reproductive issues. But here’s the kicker. Those studies used really high doses, way more than you’d get from painting your nails.
IS IT DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS?
The studies above were done using high concentrations of DBP. In the smaller concentrations used in nail polishes, it could be safe. But, as we don’t have any studies proving its safety (or lack of) in humans, you may want to avoid it just in case.
So here’s the thing—DBP is banned in the European Union in cosmetics, and in California, it’s listed as a chemical that could cause birth defects (thanks, Prop 65). But it’s not completely outlawed in the U.S., and some products still sneak it in. Is it dangerous in small amounts? Probably not. But no one’s going to blame you if you’d rather be safe than sorry. Plus, with so many brands going DBP-free, it’s easy to dodge. Just check the label.
VERDICT: Probably not as bad for us as it’s for rats, but still better safe than sorry. Most brands don’t use it anymore, so it’s easy to avoid, anyway.
Honestly, DBP is getting kicked to the curb by most nail polish brands. And it’s not just because of safety concerns. It’s also a selling point. People are more ingredient-savvy than ever. They want to know what they’re putting on their bodies. If you’re one of those people, keep an eye out for “3-free” or “5-free” labels. That’s marketing speak for “no DBP, no formaldehyde, no toluene,” and sometimes a few other things. It’s the easiest way to avoid this stuff without needing a chemistry degree.
2. Formaldehyde Resin
WHAT IS IT?
Formaldehyde is a preservative used to kill bacteria, fungi and germs (it’s also used to preserve dead bodies). The type used in nail polishes is Tosylamide/Formaldehyde resin. It’s there to harden the nail polish and make it more resilient. Basically, it keeps your polish from chipping off before you’ve even left the house.
WHY DOES IT HAVE A BAD REP?
Huh, did you miss the part where I said it’s used to preserve corpses? It’s carcinogenic, too. Yep, formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen. It’s linked to cancer in high doses and is known to cause skin irritation and allergies in some people. That’s why a lot of brands are ditching it.
Before you get all worked up, hear me out: the type used in nail polish is a resin, which means it’s less irritating than straight-up formaldehyde. Phew!
IS IT DANGEROUS FOR HUMANS?
In high does, yeah! In the tiny amounts used in cosmetics, it’s unlikely to cause problems. Unless you’re allergic to it. Plus, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde resin is less irritating than formaldehyde itself. Still, if you’re a manicurist, nail technician or someone who paints nails a lot, make sure to do it in a well-ventilated environment so you don’t breathe in its fumes.
If you’re just painting your nails every once in a while, you’re probably fine. But if you’re doing it all the time (like every week, or if you’re a nail tech), it’s smart to paint your nails in a well-ventilated room. Open a window, or better yet, do it outside. No one wants to feel lightheaded just for the sake of cute nails.
VERDICT: Probably safe in moderation. Avoid it only if you’re allergic to it.
Related: What’s The Best Place To Store Your Nail Polish?
3. Toluene
WHAT IS IT?
Toluene is a solvent. It dissolve all the pigments and other ingredients in your nail polish so it applies smoothly (no clumping). It’s also what gives nail polish that distinctive smell. You know, the one that lets everyone know you just painted your nails.
WHY DOES IT HAVE A BAD REP?
It can cause irritations, headaches, dizziness and nausea. It messes with your central nervous system and can cause all sorts of issues if you’re breathing in a ton of it, like in industrial settings. But in nail polish? You’d have to be sniffing the bottle on purpose to experience any side effects (don’t do it!).
IS IT SAFE FOR HUMANS?
It depends. If inhaled too often over a long period of time, it can damage your lungs, liver and kindneys. But in the tiny doses used in cosmetics, it’s probably safe.
Most people aren’t using enough nail polish to have any serious issues. If you’re painting your nails in a well-ventilated area and not huffing the fumes, you’re probably fine. Nail techs who are exposed to it all day should take extra care. Invest in a small fan or an air purifier, just to be on the safe side.
VERDICT: Very likely safe in nail polishes. Just don’t drink it or inhale it (that’s when it causes problems!)
The Bottom Line
It is the dose that makes the poison. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde and Toluene are dangerous in high doses, but likely harmless in the tiny amounts used in nail polishes. Most brands have removed them from their nail polishes, making them easier to avoid anyway.
I do try to avoid these as far as possible. I use Jordana nail paints which are these Big 3 free 🙂
Tanveer, good for you. I’ve never heard of Jordana but I’m glad to hear they are Big 3 free. 🙂
Thanks for sharing these wonderful tips! I will give it a notice starting now 🙂
Nikki, you’re welcome. That’s good, I think it’s best to avoid these ingredients as much as possible, at least until we get more info on their safety (or lack of). 🙂
I try to avoid them as much as possible. Most brands I use do not formulate with them. Formaldehyde also causes problem to people who have respiratory issues. It has very low boiling point (30-something degree C), that’s why it is so good for making nps dry faster.
Dao, thanks for sharing, I didn’t know that. Formaldehyde is a really nasty ingredient and I try to avoid it in all products if I can. 🙂
There’s some nail polish brand, I don’t remember which, that advertises the Formaldehyde like it’s a good thing. It’s not just on the ingredients list, but listed largely and in bold right under the brand name. I always thought that was so weird. Why are they advertising that like it’s awesome. The only time i want Formaldehyde is when I’m dead.
Trisha, that’s unbelievable! Why would they do that? Don’t they know that Formaldehyde has a bad reputation and rightly so? With all the cosmetics ingredients available there is no reason to use it, let alone promote it.
That is awesome info! Great to know!
Anastacia, I’m glad you found it helpful. 🙂
I don’t use nail polish full stop! I used to buy the expensive polishes including OPI, but threw them away once learning of these harmful ingredients in them! Tbh, nail polish seems like such a drag, taking the time to put it on, wait for it to dry, hope that it doesn’t chip and then take it off with more chemicals! I don’t see the point when there are toxins in polishes. So I just buff and file 🙂 it leaves them shiny!
Tash, that’s a bit extreme imo although I understand where you are coming from. Most nail polishes don’t contain these harmful ingredients anymore and they’re safe these days though. But I agree with you that the process of applying and removing nail polishes is so boring!
Uhh… Benzene and toluene are two different chemicals. They’re both toxic. Benzene is too toxic to be allowed in cosmetics. Toluene usually doesn’t make it into nail polish anymore but sometimes does. I agree it’s to be avoided, but it’s a different chemical from benzene. Benzene is C6H6. Toluene is C7H8.
Also, the article on this site about tosylamide/formaldehyde resin says it’s mostly safe and doesn’t release much or any formaldehyde. Why the contradiction?
Chemistry Correction, I know they are too different chemicals and I feel so silly now. I was meant to write Methylbenzene and didn’t realize that I had written that too already. I guess that’s one of those mistakes that are easily overlooked when you rewrite the same sentence a few times. You’re sure you’ve written everything right, but forgot to remove a bit. But thanks for pointing that out, I have fixed it.
As I stated above, I said that Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical but safe in the small amount used in cosmetics, although lots of people prefer to avoid it and I don’t like using it either. I don’t think it’ll kill me but there are better ingredients around. Tosylamide/formaldehyde resin is a different substance that has different side effects. Again, it won’t kill you, but it’s one of those ingredients that I prefer to avoid when I can.
Thank you for clarifying and correcting. Your site seems to have a fairly reasonable/practical approach most of the time about what is and isn’t dangerous, so I feel like it’s important to notice errors, so your articles can maintain credibility and be taken seriously by their intended audience. Cheers!
I agree with you and thanks for pointing out any mistakes. I like to evaluate ingredients and their dangers based on scientific studies. Sadly, there are lots of ingredients that get a bad reputation solely because they are synthetic when they are perfectly safe and that’s unfair. I don’t believe that companies put toxic stuff in cosmetics (they just can’t), but every now and then, I come across an ingredient that I’d rather avoid because they can irritate skin (like alcohol denat) or I just think there are better options around (like in the case of formaldehyde resin).
Today I wanted buy a China Glaze nail polish, wich I read is three free, but I read it contains DBP and formaldehyde, but I read in serveral blogs is three free, so….¿¿¿??? Im confused…
Sugarplum, I believe China Glaze went 3 big free a few years ago, but they still keep using a formaldehyde resin, which is not the same thing as formaldehyde and not as dangerous.