Nails

Take a whiff of any traditional nail polish and it is obvious that the ingredients are up to no good. Most polish is formulated with toluene, DBP, and formaldehyde–known to be harmful to skin and lungs—ingredients that can turn our harmless mani-pedis into a risky business:

TOLUENE can irritate the skin and damage the lungs. FORMALDEHYDE is an allergen, irritant, and known carcinogen. DIBUTYL PHTHALATE (DBP) has been linked to male reproductive problems and underdeveloped genitals in newborn boys.

Not only is exposure to these chemicals potentially dangerous, they are absorbed into our bodies where they build up over time. (Toluene, for example, is storied in fat tissue.) The nail polish brands below are some of the safest on the market. All are free from toluene, DBP and formaldehyde, and will definitely make you want to BYOP—Bring Your Own Polish–the next time you head to the nail salon.

Read more from NATURAL BEAUTY 101:

Why Go Green
My Mission
How To Shop Green
Ingredients to avoid
Skin
Makeup
Hair
Sunscreen
Water
Food
Household
Green Baby
Pets