Best Non Toxic Nail Polish Brands (2025)

Non toxic nail polish delivers a safer manicure by eliminating toxic chemicals from your nail polish.

In this post I will share why conventional nail polishes are harmful, and safer non toxic nail polish brands you can use instead.

Want to shop this list of top non toxic nail polish brands? Click here to visit the shop!

Affiliate Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Chemicals in Nail Polish

The average nail polish is made with a variety of chemicals, many of which are considered unsafe. Here are toxic ingredients often found in nail polish formulas:

Phthalates: preservative linked to reproductive & developmental toxicity, potentially linked to ADD and learning disabilities (PMID: 24267794) potential carcinogen & endocrine disruptor (PubChem CID: 3026)
Toluene: irritant, chronic inhalation exposure linked to cognitive impairment, birth defects (PMID: 25360325)
Formaldehyde: suspected of causing cancer, genetic defects, skin & eye irritant (PubChem CID: 712); potential cognitive damage (PMID: 18333987)
Fragrance/Parfum: umbrella term including hundreds of toxins, including hormone disrupting phthalates, as well as skin irritants and allergens. Chemicals that are hidden behind this term can be carcinogenic, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, and more (PMID: 35669814)

and more!

What is 3-Free, 5-Free, and 10-Free Nail Polish?

Nail polish brands share whether they are 3-free, 7-free, 10-free based on the amount of toxins the product is free from.

For example, 3-Free Nail Polish is made without dibutyl phthalate, toulene and formaldehyde. These ingredients are known as the toxic trio and should be avoided due to their negative impact on health.

Here’s the breakdown on what each label means:

3-Free Nail Polish: made without “the toxic trio”, dibutyl phthalate, toulene and formaldehyde.

4-Free Nail Polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin.

5-Free Nail Polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin, AND camphor.

7-Free Nail polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin, camphor, as well as xylene and ethyl tosylamide.

8-Free Nail polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, AND triphenyl phosphate.

9-Free Nail polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, AND triphenyl phosphate, as well as acetone and parabens.

10-Free Nail polish: made without the toxic trio, as well as formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate. The tenth ingredient tends to vary from one brand to another. Some claim it is fragrance, others says gluten.

If you are sensitive to particular ingredients, be sure to read the ingredients to be sure the product meets your needs.

Non Toxic Nail Polish Brands

Below is a list of nail polishes from 3-Free and above. While we strive to share products that are completely non toxic, sharing this range of products allows you to see more possibilities when it comes to your budget and accessibility.

The higher the number, the cleaner the nail polish. If a lower number suits your budget and/or your needs, that’s ok! You choose which level is best for you and your lifestyle.