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The mani-pedi game is changing – and with good reason.
Since I feel super weird without nail polish on, you can always find me with my nails painted. It may be chipping and peeling off at times (lol), but that’s beside the point. You guys always ask about the nail polish in my Instagram pics, so I figured it was time to share the deets on ‘Better For You Nail Polishes.’ They do exist and are worth exploring.
If you’re at all concerned about the ingredients in your beauty products, you may want to consider nail polish as well. There’s a new wave of non-toxic polishes that are amazingand SO worth supporting. If you haven’t yet heard of the “5-Free” nail polishes, then I’m glad you’re reading this because awareness is key and now you can make a “greener” choice.
The 5-Free brands have removed formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, camphor and formaldehyde resin — all potentially dangerous carcinogens and allergens that could do everything from disrupting your endocrine system to cause cancer. Have no fear ladies – removing these toxic ingredients does not skimp on the quality, performance, creativity or color.
Time to uncover the sketchy ingredients which come with all sorts of warnings, after a little research. Why even risk it? Better safe than sorry, no?
Yep… that stuff they use to preserve and embalm dead bodies…. a commonly used chemical with irritating vapors that can trigger asthma. A known human carcinogen, meaning it’s directly related to causing cancer. Used as a nail-hardening agent and sterilizer for nail tools.
Commonly used liquid solvent with the familiar smell of paint thinner to dissolve or combine chemicals. An additive in gasoline that creates a smooth finish across the nail and prevents pigment separation in the bottle.
We are exposed by breathing it in or getting it on our skin which can cause irritation. Inhaling toluene can affect the nervous system and cause reproductive harm, let alone light-headedness and nausea.
A plasticizer added for flexibility and fluidity (used to make plastics malleable) and is what your shower curtain is made out of and has been banned from children’s toys. DBP has been connected to cancer and birth defects in lab animal studies.
This toxin was added to the California Proposition 65 list of suspected teratogens, which are agents that cause malformations of an embryo (um no thank you).
Formaldehyde Resin: A derivative of Formaldehyde, a polymer used as a nail hardener. Mainly for coatings and adhesives
Camphor: A waxy, highly flammable poison that adheres and acts as a cover on your nails. Causes that yellow staining by depriving them of nutrients. Can cause seizures and disorientation if used in large doses.
Awesome…
With all that being said, you probably want to know options and what’s available. You may be surprised to find some of your favorite brands have already made the switch to 5-Free!
I wanted to point out that Ella + Mila (and some others listed above) have gone one step further by claiming to be “7-Free” (read more here) I’m going to get some of their adorable polishes ASAP!Hope you find this helpful. What are your favorite brands?!
