Pregnancy is such an amazing time (for many it also has some downside lol) but many its important to take extra precautions to protect our little ones. Nail polish is probably not your first thought of things to swap out but it can have some really nasty chemicals that could actually cause real harm to your developing baby. Many scientific studies have show adverse effects on developing fetuses that were exposed to the chemicals in nail polish so its important to look for a safe swap. Here I complied some information on toxic and non-toxic nail polishes as well as a list of the best pregnancy-safe non-toxic nail polishes on the market, plus my absolute favorite brand!

What are harmful ingredients in traditional nail polishes?

Many traditional nail polishes have ingredients that can wreck havoc on your body and are especially concerning for a developing fetus. The most common toxic chemicals found in traditional nail polish are;

• Formaldehyde: This is a gas that has been linked to skin irritations, respiratory issues and even cancer with long-term exposure as stated in the BLAH BAH STUDY
• Toluene: This chemical is a solvent that helps nail polish be smooth but can cause negative effects on the nervous system cause headaches, dizziness and has been linked to reproductive or fertility issues.
• Phthalates: These chemical are known endocrine disruptors issues. and have also been linked to fertility problems and even birth defects.
• Camphor: This is another harsh chemical that helps give nail polish its shine but has been linked to allergic reactions and skin problems.
• Formaldehyde Resin: This comes from formaldehyde and is known for causing allergic reactions and skin irritations as well.
• Ethyl Acetate: Another in this list of harsh chemicals that can cause skin irritations, respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): This chemical is a part of the phthalates but is especially concerning due to its effects on the reproductive system. The European Union banned it use in cosmetics almost 20 years ago in 2004.
• Ethyl Tosylamide: This is a common chemical found in nail polish to assist with durability. The EWG has stated it is unsafe and a potential endocrine disrupter while the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel has stated it is safe in concentrations of up to 5%.
• Triphenyl Phosphate: Is another toxic ingredient still used in many traditional nail polish brands and has been found to disrupt hormones in the body and potentially lead to reproductive problems.

Formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates are specifically concerning for pregnant women as they have all be linked to reproductive issues and potential harm for an unborn baby. They are actually commonly referred to as the toxic trio because they are highly toxic ingredients. Some have been linked to neurobehavioral abnormalities, birth defects, increase risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and developmental delays.

I had a conversation with a someone who said she really wasn’t that worried about the risk because she was using such a small amount of nail polish and maybe the risk is so minimal there shouldn’t be concern but in my opinion you never know.

I could not risk something as serious as a birth defect for my child so I could have cute nails for 9 months. The good news is there are many companies who’ve caught on to consume demand for safer products and we don’t go without polish through pregnancy for the sake of safety.

What makes non-toxic nail polishes more safe?

Safe non-toxic nail polish brands are made with a water-based formula instead of chemical based which obviously makes a huge difference. Non-toxic brands are popping up so frequently that there are tons of options. There are even large commercial companies catching on to the fact pregnant women want safer more natural nail polish products for themselves and their babies.

Is a nail salon safe to visit while pregnant?

Maybe, multiple sources state it is safe to go to a nail salon while pregnant. However, there have been multiple studies on expectant mothers working in salons that show it is unsafe and can lead to low birth weight and smaller head circumference (Check one of those studies out here). These studies could of course be related to the amount of exposure which is very different if you do not work there versus just visit.

I think finding an alternative like a home salon that allows you to provide your own non-toxic nail products would be best. You could also have the option to open windows in a home salon or at your home home if you found a traveling nail technician. If that’s not an option going early in the morning when its less busy and some of the toxins have had some time to air out. Its important to remember that your talking about reducing risk for 9 months to ensure your baby is setup for the best possible life possible.

Is nail polish remover safe to use while pregnant?

Yes, nail polish remover made from acetone is considered safe to use during pregnancy. It is important to use it in a well-ventilated area. I personally choose acetone free brands but this is a personal choice based on my ongoing decision to avoid chemicals, as I haven’t found any research that causes concern for using acetone removers.

Some nail polish contains ethyl acetate which can be more toxic so be sure to check the label and stick to acetone only products.

Are gel manicures safe while pregnant?

Yes, there are several brands of 10-free nail polish that can give you a safe, non-toxic gel manicure. Some of the brands listed below offer gel manicures, the most popular being SOPHi.

What does 10-free, 3-free and 5-free formula nail polish mean?

The number-free of these nail polishes means they are free from a specific number of traditional nasty chemicals discussed in this article. 3-free typically means they are free from formaldehyde, toluene and phthalates. While I recommend going for a 10 or 7 free formula even a 3 free is significantly better than a traditional polish product still containing every toxic ingredient available.

Be aware that not all 10, 5, or 3 free formulas are safe. There are several mainstream brands that greenwash customers into thinking their “natural” products are safe through marketing gimmicks. Sally Hansen’s line of pure nail polishes is absolutely safer than traditional nail polish but still has a few ingredients that can cause concern.

A note on most “non-toxic polishes”, they are significantly safer than traditional polishes but still have some ingredients that aren’t considered completely clean. Most of these ingredients that are cause for concern are skin irritants and not endocrine-disrupting chemicals but you have to make the choice for yourself as to what you are personally comfortable.

Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish for Pregnancy

Ella + Mila (THE BEST)

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 17-Free
• Colors: 140+ different shades
• Concerns: Biggest complaint is multiple coats are needed
• Reviews: 4600+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $$

SOPHi

• Features: Vegan, cruelty-free, low-odor, claim to be free of all harsh chemicals
• Colors: 25 different colors
• Concerns: Not long-lasting, color doesn’t appear the same online as in person
• Reviews: 300+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $

SOPHI is a non-toxic brand of nail polish that spun off of a kids safe brand, piggy paint. They are free of almost all harmful ingredients but still have one that is worth noting as a potential concern. The company uses ultramarines which are synthetic pigments for color. These aren’t overly toxic to humans but can cause skin irritation, the bigger concern is the environmental effects as they do not degrade overtime and add to overall pollution.

Piggy Paint (Best Polish for Kids)

• Features: Vegan, cruelty-free, low-odor, claim to be free of all harsh chemicals, some scented and glitter brands
• Colors: 40 different colors
• Concerns: Not long-lasting
• Reviews: 1900+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $

Piggy Paint: This is the brand that SOPHi came from its is a water-based nail polish is specifically designed for children and is non-toxic, odorless, and hypoallergenic. It also states it may contain ultramarines which are more an environmental concern than anything else.

Suncoat

• Features: 70% water, environmentally friendly, natural colorants
• Colors: 23 different colors + 8 kids colors
• Concerns: Many people mention that on amazon bottles arrived dried, it may be best to order directly from the company
• Reviews: 90+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $$$

Suncoat is a Canadian-based company that produces water-based nail polish that is free from harmful chemicals, vegan and states they are environmentally friendly. Developed by a chemist for her own daughter when she wanted to start wearing nail polish but she wasn’t comfortable exposing her daughter to all the harmful chemicals.

Kur

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, free of phthalates, parabens, silicones, and gluten
• Colors: 24+ different shades
• Concerns: Expensive, chipped within 24 hours to 3 days of application
• Reviews: 2200+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $$$

This is another super popular non-toxic brand with great reviews. They are free of many traditional toxins but buyer be aware they do contain fragrance which sucks since it can be very toxic and a lot of people are sensitive to artificial fragrances. Their parent company is called Londontown and prides itself on creating vegan, cruelty-free, less-toxic beauty products for their consumers.

Zoya

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 10-free, long-lasting
• Colors: 6+ different shades, + multiple collections/bundles
• Concerns: Disappointment in the color and ability to get different colors
• Reviews: 1900+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $

Zoya’s brand is all about creating better products for their customers. Zoya was a cosmetologist who wanted safer products and started by removing the worst offenders like formaldehyde, toluene, and many more. They offer 10-free polishes and have branched into creating other beauty products.

Pacifica Beauty

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 16-free
• Colors: 21 different shades, + an at home manicure kit
• Concerns: Main complaint is issues with delivery from amazon, broken bottles ect.
• Reviews: 35+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $

Pacifica Beauty is one of the first non-toxic brands I bought when I began my non-toxic journey. They make great products and have a pretty big range of things they create. They are vegan, cruelty free and really environmentally conscious. Their products (like many polishes) come in a glass bottle and are infused with bio-ceramics to be good for your nails. I will note I own a few colors from this brand and find you must use base and top coat for it to stay as just a quick polish only won’t last more than 24 hours.

100% Pure

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, fruit pigmented, 20-free, long-lasting
• Colors: 22+ Colors
• Concerns: Few concerns noted other than quality of brush and one report of early chipping
• Reviews: 21+ 5 Star review
• Price: $$

I absolutely love this brand and personally use their make-up line for some of my products. I trust them and love that everything they do is based on fruit pigments, including this nail polish. They are a high-quality brand that focuses on the safest standards for their non-toxic beauty products. Their amazon reviews are limited but all are 3+ star which is a great sign of the quality they produce.

Honeybee Gardens

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 2-1 base coat included in polishes, odorless
• Colors: 24+ Colors, matte, shimmer, iridescence
• Concerns: Not long-lasting, chips very quickly
• Reviews: 185+ 5 Star review
• Price:$$

Honeybee Gardens has an entire non-toxic beauty line. They are very philanthropic and have an animal care fund they donate too and encourage their customers to as well. They have several certifications from safe products companies and are working towards environmentally friendly products and packaging.

Sally Hansen Pure

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 16-free
• Colors: 11+ Colors
• Concerns: Hard to remove, color was not as advertised
• Reviews: 74000+ 5 Star review (not a typo that’s a ton of reviews!)
• Price: $

Sally Hansen created their Pure line in response to consumers wanting safer less-toxic options and people love it! The pure line has over 7000 5 star reviews and even the 3 star ones start with things like not bad which is a great sign.

ILNP (Best Color Selection)

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 7-free, holographic colors
• Colors: 400+
• Concerns: Color was not as advertised, apparently one type is advertised as magnetic but its a weak magnet
• Reviews: 7300+ 5 Star review
• Price: $

This is basically the ultimate nail polish company. All they make is nail polish and their passion shows when you view their website that as 7 different color categories. You can also snag a discount by preordering new colors on their website before they are release! They state they are 7-free but non-toxic doesn’t seem to be their driving purpose.

Benecos

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, long-lasting, 5+ Free
• Colors: 10+ Colors
• Concerns: Expensive for the amount you get
• Reviews: 96+ 5 Star review
• Price:$

This is a European brand that focuses on non-toxic polishes. All of their polishes are at least 5+ free with some of their newer versions being 20+ free. They ave received some beauty awards in the past from European magazines and brands.

Mineral Fusion

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, skin/nail positive mineral
• Colors: 42+ Colors
• Concerns: Requires 2+ coats to look good and last long
• Reviews: 96+ 5 Star review
• Price: $

This is another brand that has an entire beauty-line focused on non-toxic beauty. They are EWG certified and have all vegan, cruelty free products. They state a goal for their brand is to infuse products with ingredients that leave your body better after using those products, which sounds like a huge win.

Gabriel

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 10-free
• Colors: 42+ Colors
• Concerns: Odor was the biggest concern noted among reviewers
• Reviews: 45+ 5 Star review
• Price: $

This line was created by Gabriel as a nod to the lifestyle he grew up with where there was a big focus on homeopathic remedies, nature and holistic practices. He has grown this into a massive brand that produces numerous non-toxic, environmentally friendly products.

Butter London

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 10-free, long-lasting, variety of nail treatments
• Colors: 40+ Colors
• Concerns: Many report not shine enough, and not long-lasting
• Reviews: 1200+ 5 Star review
• Price: $$$

Butter London has an extensive nail care line with numerous nail treatments to target various problems like yellowing, weakness, and dry/brittle nails. They also have numerous other beauty products that are labeled clean beauty. They are big on adding nutrient rich ingredients like aloe vera, papaya, green tea extract, shea butter and bamboo extract into their products.

Sparitual

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 12-free,
• Colors: 40+ Colors
• Concerns: Color did not match advertised color
• Reviews: 100+ 5 Star review
• Price: $$

Sparitual is all about vegan, clean, holistic, self-care for the whole body. They have a wide range of nail polishes and other nail/hand care treatments. They state they are sustainable but do not mention any ways in which they are so it’s kind of a trust thing I guess.

Tenoverten

• Features: Vegan and cruelty free, 8-free, recyclable, natural fragrance
• Colors: 36+ Colors
• Concerns: Color inaccuracy was the biggest concern
• Reviews: Reviews are very limited on their site and amazon.
• Price: $$

Tenoverten, Ten over ten, is a non-toxic beauty brand that started by opening their own nail salon featuring clean, non-toxic products. They still run their nail salon in New York and have a full line of all things nail, food and hand care!

Bontime

• Features: 3-free, peelable for removal, 2-4 days lasting power
• Colors: 6 colors
• Concerns: Contains fragrance, not long-lasting
• Reviews: 1800+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $$$ (must by set of 6)

I included this one because it has a lot of reviews on amazon, 3000+ at the time of rating. I personally don’t love when sites do not have their own websites that detail information on their policies, practices and mission. I did run the ingredients through the skincharmisa analyzer and the fragrance was the biggest concern so it does appear to be mostly non-toxic. The peel feature is cool and if that’s something that interests you try it out, if not I’d stick to one of the other brands that have bit more information on them.

OUL’ISI

• Features: 21-free, fast dry, wide brush
• Colors: 30+ colors
• Concerns: Does not stay for more than 24 hours
• Reviews: 395+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $ (must by set of 6)

This is another Amazon only based brand which I’ve already stated isn’t my favorite type of company. You also have to buy a gift set but their product price is very cheap so the set comes out to be about what some other brands single bottle is. They state they are eco-friendly and 20-free but again without being able to see their actual practices it’s hard to know. The biggest plus for them is their variety of colors and fast dry technology which others have mentioned is an issue with other polishes.

Eternal

• Features: 21-free, 6-day lasting power, lots of glitter polishes
• Colors: 25+ colors
• Concerns: Requires 2+ coats to shine and stay
• Reviews: 440+ 5 star ratings
• Price: $$ (must by set of 4)

This brand is about making great products that are non-toxic but still affordable for everyone. They have an entire beauty care line that is vegan, cruelty-free and non-toxic. You can only buy sets of their polish which is a bit of a down side but when you look at the set price its 5 separate colors and still fairly affordable.

Karma (Highest rated by customers)

• Features: 10-free, antioxidant infused
• Colors: 100+ colors
• Concerns: Requires 2+ coats to shine and stay
• Reviews: 330+ 5 star reviews
• Price: $

Karma is an organic beauty brand that offers non-toxic, eco-friendly (think recyclable) nail polish. They are all about nails and hand care so they offer tons of other nail treatments that are also non-toxic. 75% of people who reviewed this product gave it 5 stars which is why they earned the highest rated polish here! Their website has tons more colors so check it out if Amazon is too limited.

OPI Nature Strong (Longest Lasting)

• Features: 9-free, vegan and cruelty free
• Colors: 30+ colors
• Concerns: Biggest concern was streaking when applies
• Reviews: 3660+ 5 Star reviews
• Price: $$

OPI is one of the best known nail polishes in the nail game and they’ve finally come out with a less toxic version of their polish. Their product is 9-free which is better than some of the other commercial companies 3 free brands.

Jolie Vegan

• Features: 10-free, vegan and cruelty free,
• Colors: 15+ colors
• Concerns: Needs at least 2 coats
• Reviews: 220+ 5 Star reviews
• Price: $

Jolie Vegan is all about mental health awareness and support through their brand. They name all their polishes happy, positive names and make sure to support organizations that are pro-mental health awareness and support. They are PETA-certified as well which is always good to hear.

Dazzle Dry (Fastest Drying)

• Features: 7-free, vegan
• Colors: 150+ colors
• Concerns: Multi-step system, expensive
• Reviews: 110+ 5 star review
• Price: $$$

Dazzle Dry is a nail polish only company that focuses on fast drying, long lasting non-toxic nail polish. They have a 4 step system that that has nail prep, base coat, polish and top coat to create a durable gel like nail. They also offer a starter mini pack which lets you get sample sizes of all those products to determine if the system is right for you!

That is my complete list of non-toxic nail polishes! I am sure there are more as it seems they are popping up everyday! Let me know what you think! I really do love the Ella and Mila line and Pacifica as well. If you are looking for other non-toxic beauty be sure to check out my Skincare page for all my beauty posts!