What Is Vegan Nail Polish?

That's right, vegan isn't just about not eating cheese and wearing hemp shoes - there's a whole lot of choices you need to be making. And we're just talking about putting stuff in your body that is healthy and good for the environment. Don't ask us why nail polish still contains all these nasty chemicals - let's move on! It's good for our bodies, the environment and industry as a whole if we make informed buying decisions. Most products if they are green will be proud of the fact (and rightly so), meaning the labels will state that they don't contain any of the below ingredients. You definitely want to make sure they are not tested on animals.

Reading labels and checking ingredients is a really important thing to do no matter what you're buying. Sometimes it's just about being educated and you don't even know that some products are bad for you so let's take a look at nail polish nasties so you know what to avoid.

Firstly, what is vegan nail polish? Well, a nail brand is non-vegan when they use the crushed Carmine beetle to obtain the pigment for the red colour. If you love a good shimmer, these often contain fish scales and oyster shells to obtain their translucence. Suddenly biting your nails doesn't seem so appetising and that's not all...

Formaldehyde is described as a 'well known human carcinogen' by the US National Toxicology Program meaning there is a high possibility of it causing cancer. It can also be used as a cleaning or embalming agent. Not the kind of thing you want to be nibbling on or have anywhere near your skin.

Toulene is most commonly used in glue. Inhalation of this chemical has the potential to cause sever neurological harm. It is a common paint thinner used on an industrial cleaning level.

DBP (Dibutyl phthalate) is listed in the Safe Work Australia 'List of Designated Hazardous Substances' with warnings such as May cause harm to the unborn child and Possible risk of impaired fertility. Not really heart warming stuff, is it?

Xylene is a petrochemical and skin irritant that strips the skin of its oils, making it more absorbable to other chemicals.

Knowledge is power dear friends and we hope to help you make informed decisions when painting your dainty fingers. So keep an eye out for these wee nasties in the ingredients list on your nail polish bottle so you can choose healthy nails

Toluene - A Harmful Chemical In Nail Polish

Nail polish is notorious for its toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients. One of the most harmful substances found in this beauty product is toluene. This chemical is part of the "toxic-trio," which refers to the three most dangerous ingredients found in many nail polish brands today. The toxic trio consists of toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde. This article explains what the chemical toluene is and its purpose, why it should be avoided as much as possible (particularly during pregnancy) and what other alternatives are available for women who are health-conscious or sensitive to the chemical toluene.

Toluene - why it is used

The reason why many beauty companies include toluene as an ingredient in their nail polish is because it is a solvent which assists in the smooth application of nail polish and also acts as a thinner.

Why Toluene is a dangerous chemical

The facts about toluene are rather concerning and would make most people think twice about buying normal over-the-counter nail polish brands again. This abrasive chemical comes from petroleum, so the toxic smell is bad enough in itself. Associated risks of toluene are liver and kidney damage, irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness and birth defects. High levels of toluene exposure can cause brain lesions, behavioural abnormalities and a wide range of other possible side effects. Much research has been done in this area and exposure to toluene should be kept to an absolute minimal. Be aware also that toluene is often an ingredient in certain household products, paints and solvents - so exposure can accumulate.

Is it a necessary ingredient?

Toluene is not a necessary component in nail polish as there are several brands available these days that do not include this harmful substance as one of their ingredients. So thankfully you do not have to go polish free in order to avoid this chemical. Rather, you simply have to know your alternatives and get to know the chemical-free brands available on the market today.

Is nail polish during pregnancy safe (including toluene)?

Pregnant women should avoid wearing nail polish containing chemicals of the infamous "toxic-trio", including toluene. Toluene has been linked to birth defects with women who have had over-exposure to this harmful solvent. Therefore pregnant women should avoid going to salons which use polish containing toluene, and should also avoid typical nasty brands on the market. Even low-level exposure of toluene could be potentially harmful to the developing fetus. Mothers should be diligent in researching chemical-free alternatives and only applying these during pregnancy. This will guard against possible fetal development damage that may otherwise result