What’s Still Hiding in Conventional Nail Polish?
In Part 2, we uncovered 5 harmful ingredients often found in nail polish — like toluene and formaldehyde. Now we’re exploring the remaining five chemicals we’ve left out of our 10-free nail polish. These ingredients are still used by some brands, but we believe they have no place in clean beauty.
1. Ethyl Tosylamide
Used to improve flexibility and finish, ethyl tosylamide also helps polish last longer. But it belongs to a chemical group called sulfonamides — structurally similar to antibiotics.
Why we avoid it:
Sulfonamides are banned in the EU over public health concerns related to antibiotic resistance. While not used as medicine, the chemical similarity raises red flags.
Check your labels for: ETHYL TOSYLAMIDE
2. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
Dibutyl phthalate is a plasticizer used to reduce chipping and cracking. It belongs to the phthalate family — known for interfering with hormones.
Why we avoid it:
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Endocrine disruptor: mimics estrogen
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Linked to reproductive toxicity in male fetuses
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Associated with organ damage and early menopause
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Banned in the EU for use in cosmetics
Check your labels for: DIBUTYL PHTHALATE
3. Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
Triphenyl phosphate adds flexibility to polish and acts as a flame retardant. While not fully studied in humans, early research raises serious concerns.
Why we avoid it:
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Potential endocrine disruptor
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Shown to affect reproduction, development, and metabolism
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Linked to thyroid disruption
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Animal studies reveal hormonal changes even with short exposure
Check your labels for: TRIPHENYL PHOSPHATE
4. Parabens
Parabens are used to preserve nail polish and extend shelf life by preventing bacterial growth. But they come with mounting concerns.
Why we avoid them:
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Potential hormone disruptors
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Possibly linked to certain cancers
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Can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
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While allowed in limited concentrations in the EU, we choose to skip them entirely
Check your labels for: METHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN
5. Animal-Derived Ingredients
Veganism is more than a trend — it's a value system. That’s why our formulas are 100% vegan and cruelty-free. Common animal-derived ingredients in nail polish include:
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Carmine: red pigment from crushed cochineal insects
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Guanine: reflective crystal from fish scales
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Keratin: protein from animal hair, feathers, or hooves — often claimed to strengthen nails, though topical use mainly gives a temporary shine
Why we avoid them:
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Not vegan
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Not necessary for nail health
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Ethical concerns with sourcing
Read labels carefully if vegan beauty is important to you.
So... Is 10-Free Really Worth It?
When you understand what’s really in conventional nail polish — and how much your nails can absorb — it becomes harder to ignore. That’s why we formulated our collection to be:
✅ 10-Free
✅ Non-toxic
✅ Vegan
✅ Plant-based
✅ Suitable for brittle or peeling nails
Ready to make the switch? Explore our collection of 10-free, non-toxic polishes.
Because beauty should never cost your health.
