You might not know this, but not all nail polishes are created equally. Yes, they're an affordable beauty product that has the power to almost instantly give us that little pick-me-up we all need, the unfortunate reality is that many formulas on the market are packed with harmful and unnecessary chemicals, which can actually be absorbed into the body. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice safety for a beautiful manicure thanks to nontoxic nail polish.
Best Nontoxic Nail Polish
How to Shop for Nontoxic Nail Polish
When shopping for nontoxic nail polish, it's essential to read the ingredient label and online product description. Through our beauty editor's research, she found that most nontoxic nail polishes are typically either 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, or 10-free, indicating each item is without at least three controversial ingredients. You also have nail polishes that are 14-free and 16-free, but those are less common.
To help simplify your search for nontoxic nail polish, we tapped Michelle Saunders, an A-list manicurist known for working with celebrities including Emily Blunt, Mandy Moore, and Taraji P. Henson. She breaks down the most common classifications of nontoxic nail polish and what ingredients are omitted, regardless of the brand.
3-Free Nail Polish
For those who prefer fewer chemicals in their manicures, Saunders says you should choose one that is 3-Free, meaning it omits formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate — the three primary offenders in regular nail polish.
5-Free Nail Polish
Some nontoxic nail polishes are 5-free, indicating they do not contain formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate, plus formaldehyde resin and camphor.
7-Free Nail Polish
7-free polishes exclude seven questionable ingredients, including all five found in 5-Free, plus ethyl tosylamide and xylene. "You'll see 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, and so on, but 3-free is just as safe as 7-free," says Saunders.
10-Free Nail Polish
These nontoxic varnishes do not contain the seven ingredients omitted from 7-free polish, plus parabens, ert-butyl hydroperoxide, and animal ingredients.
Pricing
Thankfully, the nontoxic nail polishes on our list don't contain these harmful ingredients, yet still give you the high-quality color you'll love. But, you will spend a bit more for a cleaner formulation. The average cost of the 14 nontoxic nail polishes on our list is $15.50, while traditional nail polishes from OPI are $11 and Essie is $9.
How We Chose
Our beauty editor vetted these 14 nontoxic nail polishes, including their scent, formula, texture, and opacity. She also considered the size of the brush wand, price point, and overall brand quality, plus she evaluated hundreds of reviews across trusted retailers like Amazon and Nordstrom. Plus, Saunders reveals her expert-recommended nontoxic nail polishes.
Ready for gorgeous, chip-free manicures and pedicures that don’t compromise your health? Here are the 14 best nontoxic nail polish brands worth your investment.
1
Best Overall
Plant-Based Clean Nail Polish
Don't let the name fool you: This brand is the cleanest in the nail polish market for keeping out a whopping 21 toxic ingredients. Plus, it comes in a variety of 30 shades, so you'll always find a color to match your mood.
Choose from their dainty Coral Floral (perfect for spring), or go bold with their moodier shades. Whichever vibe you choose, expect it to last — their polishes have a no-chip formula that makes it nearly impossible to scrape off (until nail polish remover comes into the mix, of course).
This impressive nontoxic nail polish boasts glowing Amazon reviews. Shoppers say it only takes a single coat to achieve fast-drying, opaque coverage. Plus, reviewers sensitive to regular nail polish and acrylics note this nontoxic option doesn't cause any irritation and lasts almost as long as gel polish.
More: Nail Gift Sets for Salon-Quality Manis on a Budget
2
Best Color Range
Nail Polish
We're thrilled to report that Zoya, one of our favorite nail polish suppliers, goes above the masses, producing 10-free polish by removing the big three, plus dibutyl, resin, and camphor. Of course, light neutrals are necessary year-round, so this creamy pink pictured here (called Brenna) will fare well in any season.
Not your color? Zoya offers more than 300 different shades of healthy polish for your fingertips.
Amazon reviewers love this brand of nontoxic nail polish because it applies smoothly, and manicures last for at least a week. "I've been exclusively using Zoya polishes for a few years, and I have found they perform just like conventional polish, but without the harsh chemical,"" says one Amazon reviewer.
3
Glossiest Finish
Patent Shine 10X Nail Lacquer
It's easy to fall for any of butter LONDON's creamy polishes, but we're especially fond of the Patent Shine collection. The 8-free formula features highly pigmented colors and a glossy finish that lasts up to 10 days. Plus, the dense brush applicator helps you get a professional-looking mani at home, no matter your skill level.
Amazon reviewers say butter LONDON's quick-drying taupe nail polish has successfully converted them into brand loyalists. "This is such a fantastic neutral that transitions well through all seasons. I've been purchasing this color for over 10 years; it's just a classic color," writes one Amazon reviewer. While others appreciate that it's fade-resistant and uses bamboo extract to help strengthen their nails.
4
Best Drugstore Pick
7-Free Nail Polish
Pacifica's 7-Free Nail Polish Collection features an assortment of vivid colors that are designed to apply smooth and last long. Each is formulated without parabens, phthalates (dibutyl phthalate), toluene, xylene, camphor, formaldehyde, or resin. At an affordable price point, this lacquer is a worthy addition to your nail polish collection.
Our least favorite part about traditional nail polish is the harsh, chemical smell. However, you won't have to worry about that strong odor from Pacifica's nontoxic nail polish. Multiple Amazon reviewers say it has a light scent that quickly fades away.
5
Cult-Favorite
Nail Polish
Since its launch in 2014, Smith & Cult skyrocketed to cult-favorite status. Not only are these high-end lacquers absolutely beautiful, but Smith & Cult is one of the few brands that boasts an 8-free formulation.
We love the offering of classic bold shades like Kundalini Hustle, a powerhouse red, as well as basic staples like Subnormal, a neutral light gray. Up your polish game for a special occasion by layering on a glittering coat like Smith & Cult's Glass Souls.
One Amazon reviewer admits to expecting a watery-thin film but was impressed when they could achieve opaque coverage that lasts without a topcoat. "The consistency of this polish is a little thicker than my usual brands, but the coverage is better, and it goes on smoothly and easily," writes another reviewer.
6
Best Earth Tones
Nail Polish
Mani-loving friends Nadine Abramcyk and Adair Ilyinsky launched their own trendy NYC nail salons, as well as a collection of polishes. With pigments ranging from warm neutrals to quirky brights, their unique 8-free formula goes way beyond the usual three chemicals (formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate) that most other brands omit.
Happy Amazon reviewers say they achieve a gorgeous, glossy mani at home without a topcoat. Plus, one shopper says Ludlow, a vivid red, is an excellent dupe of their go-to Chanel nail polishes.
7
Best Pastels
KMC 7-Free Nail Polish
If you want a truly eye-popping color without any mysterious toxins, these nail polishes from LA nail salon Olive & June are your best bet. Not only are all of the shades a variety of vibrant pastels, nudes, and more, but they're also free of seven toxins (more than double most of those "3-free" brands).
While there are more than 100 shades to choose from, reviewers love KMC because it is a gorgeous sage green that looks exactly as pictured on Olive & June's site. They also appreciate that it doesn't streak and glides over their fingernails with ease.
8
Best Award-Winning Polish
Nail Polish
We've been hooked on Sundays' nail polish since our first visit to one of the brand's spa-like NYC salons. It doesn't chip easily and doesn't look streaky after one coat, either. The brand has tons of gorgeous colors, too, so you'll find your perfect one no matter the season.
The formula is 10-free, excluding chemicals like parabens, camphor, and xylene, and 100% free of animal by-products. Plus, you have plenty of shades to choose from, ranging from 45, a stunning sky blue to 25, an earthy rose.
Reviewers note it has the normal smell of nail polish, but they don't mind because the thick and award-winning formula doesn't chip for at least seven days.
9
Best 10-Free
Nail Polish
This nontoxic nail polish not only has the hearts of Amazon lovers everywhere, but even Saunders is a self-admitted fan of this luxury nail brand. Along with having one of the cleanest formulas on the market (they're 10-free!), Côte nail polishes are made in the USA and bottled in Italian glass.
Multiple Amazon reviewers say they only use Côte's nail polish because they can achieve a salon-quality manicure without worrying about toxins.
This beige shade (No. 12 Pearlized Camel) is perfect for any occasion, but you'll also find dozens of bright colors and metallic options for the days that you feel like going bold.
10
Best Halal
Breathable & Halal Nail Polish
Sure, being nontoxic is nice, but some of us can't wear nail polish for reasons other than environmental impact. Base Coat, one of Saunders' favorite brands, took this into consideration to create a halal, 10-free formula that's safe for most people to use.
"I'm chemically sensitive and can't tolerate most brands. This polish goes on smoothly and lasts longer than other brands I've used," says one Nordstrom reviewer. "Instead of suffocating my nails with gel or regular polish, I'll now only use this breathable polish," writes another shopper.
There are seven expertly-curated shades to choose from (our favorite is this sparkly metallic hue, Goldfields).
If you're looking for a brand that goes above and beyond most others, then allow me to introduce you to Orosa. This 14-free brand sets the bar high for clean beauty standards, but that's not the only reason why we're obsessed.
Each shade is extremely opaque and swipes on with ease, so styling your nails becomes a breeze.
The long-lasting formula is enticing, but reviewers are also impressed by its short, rounded brush for mess-free application. "Easily the best nail polish I have ever used, and I am terrible at painting my own nails. This polish went on so easily and dried so quick," writes one reviewer.
12
Best Vegan Formula
8-Free Nail Polish
Dr. Cary Gannon, M.D, created AILA Cosmetics specifically to provide women with a healthier, transparent nail polish option with fewer chemicals. In addition to being 8-free, the luxe formulas are cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and made in the USA. We're a fan of the glossy, rich color options, but it's important to note that some reviewers note that you need three coats to really get the best color from the polish.
This under-the-radar brand has loyal fans who have used these nontoxic nail polishes for years. Reviewers rave about the brand's longevity and subtle shimmer finish.
13
Longest Lasting
Tila March Collection Nail Lacquer
JINsoon nail polishes are 5-free and vegan-friendly, helping your nails stay healthier through each and every coat.
Having captured a loyal following of editors, celebs, photographers, and the everyday woman, clientele fawn over each polish's high-quality color payoff, long wear, and the formula's own extended shelf life. It also doesn't hurt that the bottles are adorable and look effortlessly chic on your vanity.
While most nontoxic nail polishes last up to a week, JINsoon's will last twice as long, according to reviews on Macy's and Amazon. Plus, it has a small brush that's perfect when you want to create precise nail art or French tips.
14
Best Luxury
Nail Lacquer
Another one of Saunders' favorite nail polishes, this brand skyrocketed to fame via its cult-favorite NYC nail studio. Now you can give yourself the salon treatment at home thanks to its 10-free formula that comes in a curated 12 shades (which last for a week, by the way).
Saunders isn't the only one who adores this splurge-worthy nail polish. Shoppers can't resist this gorgeous burnt orange color and note it doesn't chip easily. Reviewers say they achieve smooth and even coats whenever they use this fast-drying polish.
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the Beauty Editor at BestProducts.com, where she oversees coverage on all things beauty.
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor
Jennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
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