Nail Polish Can Be Healthy

When you buy nail polish, bring your glasses. You'll want to read the label. If dibutyl phthalate or DBP is listed as an ingredient, move on to another brand. DBP is a toxin - and while it's harmful to everyone, it's especially dangerous for pregnant women, as it can get into the fetus' system and result in birth defects.¹

Urban Decay has been a leader in eliminating DBP from their nail products. They've publicly called on other companies to do the same, and some have - such as OPI, Sally Hansen, and Orly International. But many have not.

There is good news, though. Besides Urban Decay, other popular nail products are totally DBP-free. These include L'Oreal Jet Set Nail Enamel, Maybelline Shades of Your Nail Color, Revlon Nail Enamel, Naturistics 90 Second Dry! Super Fast Nail Color, and Kiss Colors Nail Polish.² Almay Organic Fluoride Plus Grow Healthy Nail Color is another DBP-free choice.

However, nail polish can contain other toxins besides DBP. Toluene and xylene, both solvents, have been linked to a number of health problems, from headaches to liver and kidney damage, and even cancer.^{3, 4} And watch out for formaldehyde, which is a known carcinogen.⁵ In addition, other solvents, synthetic preservatives, fragrances, and dyes are also questionable. And many women refuse to use cosmetics that have been tested on animals.

Are carefree, pretty nails still possible? Absolutely. Besides reading labels, women can buy nail products from known "green" companies - manufacturers who are earth-friendly, people-friendly, and animal-friendly. This flowering group includes Honeybee Gardens' water-based nail enamel [available at www.honeybeegardens.com], and Sante Kosmetics' nail polish [available at www.bewellstaywell.com].⁶ These alternatives are not as quick to dry as the mainstream brands, but many women happily accept this inconvenience.

Other "green" companies that make nail polish - and don't test on animals - include Cactus & Ivy, Caswell Massey, Mary Kay, ELON Essentials, Nail Aid, and KSA Jojoba.⁷

PeaceKeeper not only makes a safe (and vegan) nail polish, but they donate 100% of their after-tax distributable profits to women's health and human rights groups. Plus, they list and describe all ingredients on their website [www.iamapeacekeeper.com].

We've focused on nail polish for this article, but be aware that DBP is in many other commonly used beauty products. Deodorant, fragrance, hair spray, gel, mousse, and skin lotions are not required by the FDA to list DBP as an ingredient. Some of these products are totally DBP-free, and others contain levels so high that even CDC scientists were surprised.⁸

Any company can slap an "organic" or "natural" banner on their product label. The safest way to purchase personal care products is to do your own research. Sites to check out include There Must Be a Better Way [www.theremustbeabetterway.co.uk] and Pristine Planet [www.pristineplanet.com].

      Footnotes

      ¹ Not Too Pretty: Phthalates, Beauty Products & the FDA by Jane Houlihan, Charlotte Brody, and Bryony Schwan, published by the Environmental Working Group, July 8, 2002, appearing on the site SafeCosmetics.org. [http://www.safecosmetics.org/]

      ² Ibid

      ³ Buzzle.com: Intelligent Life On the Web: Nail Polish Dangers by Buzzle Staff and Agencies, Oct. 9, 2006 [www.buzzle.com]. (See also: E / The Environmental Magazine [www.emagazine.com].)
      ⁴ Safe, Natural Nail Polish: Is it Possible? by Tara Bzdok, Nov. 1, 2005, posted in Natural Family Online [www.naturalfamilyonline.com].

      ⁵ Buzzle.com.

      ⁶ Safe, Natural Nail Polish...

      ⁷ The Leaping Bunny Shopping Guide [www.leapingbunny.org]

      ⁸ Not Too Pretty...