Slowly but surely, we’re all coming round to the fact that, actually, we shouldn’t just be eating healthily, we should be making sure that what we put on our skin is healthy, too. Makeup is in the midst of a ‘clean beauty’ makeover, but the nail polish industry has been lurking in the shadows somewhat, with many brands yet to reassess age-old formulas filled with potentially dangerous chemicals.
One glance at the ingredients list of your average bottle of polish throws up largely unpronounceable, scientific-sounding names like ‘formaldehyde’, ‘toluene’, ‘camphor’ and ‘triphenyl phosphate' (TPHP), so it’s understandable that many of us simply choose not to dwell and carry on selecting our favourite shade.
But when you consider studies that say chemicals in polish can be absorbed by the body in just 14 hours, it’s worth doing your research. Toluene is known to cause dizziness and may cause other central nervous system problems. TPHP, widely used as a fire retardant, is a suspected hormone disruptor. Formaldehyde is a proven carcinogen used to preserve dead bodies and could not be less glamorous.
It’s important to note that almost all polishes have some chemicals in them, so if you’re really worried, it’s best to use them sparingly or not at all – but we’ve tried some fabulous brands recently that are getting rid of the dodgiest nasties. None of these includes formaldehyde or formaldehyde resin, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or camphor (they're known as ‘5-free’) while those taking the top prizes have also banned xylene, ethyl tosylamide and triphenyl phosphate from their formulas ('8-free'). They’re all also lovely polishes in their own right, offering fantastic shades and high-quality finishes that more than rival those of less health-conscious brands.
butter London
This London brand has been paying careful attention to what goes into its polishes for years, racking up a cult following with its original 3-free lacquers. Now, every shade is proudly 8-free while still maintaining the high standards that beauty lovers have come to expect. The pretty pale teal of Minted will brighten up any outfit at work or on holiday in one stroke, and the rest of the shades are similarly richly pigmented. The finish is super-shiny and long-lasting, and the packaging is modern and iconic.
butter London Minted, £12, available at The Beauty Store
Dior Vernis
Okay, so it’s pricey for a nail polish but every girl deserves at least a touch of Dior in their collection. It really is that good, too, with the shiniest finish achieved outside of a salon. The new 5-free formula has shunned the key chemical nasties, with the nail surface strengthened by organic silicon. Even those who don’t rate their skills at ‘wrong hand’ application can achieve a flawless look thanks to the flat, rounded brush and the shades themselves are simply gorgeous, ranging from the classic to the avant-garde. They dry quickly, too, so you won’t need to sit staring at your hands for long.
Inglot
This popular Polish brand has finally landed on UK shores and is also making use of developments that allow nails to breathe under lashings of polish. The newly designed brush is flat and firm for mess-free application and the eight stylish matte shades look fantastic when paired with a similarly fashionable statement matte lip. Try the deep rose of 531 or the midnight blue of 533. Inglot is proud of its non-toxic credentials, so you won’t be inhaling any dodgy fumes while painting your paws with these polishes.
Inglot Soft Matte 531, £14, available at Inglot
Leighton Denny
Leighton Denny has gone all Great Gatsby on us and released a daring Roaring Twenties collection of seven jazzy colours. The deep bordeaux of Rebellious Heart is sultry and mysterious for nights spent in cosy wine bars, while we’ll be loving the La La Land glitter of Tinseltown when summer cocktail parties finally come back around. Founded by the award-winning nail technician of the same name, Leighton Denny’s polishes are ideal for DIY manicures – easy to apply with a firm brush and free from formaldehyde, toluene and DBP to keep your nails healthy.
Leighton Denny Rebellious Heart, £12, available at M&S
Lily Lolo
It can be a mission to find non-toxic nail polishes in an industry that does still largely rely on potentially harmful chemicals but British brand Lily Lolo is showing off, with an 8-free range that is 100% vegan to boot. There are six chip-resistant shades on offer, ready for welcoming in spring, with the hot coral pink of Carnival catching our eye in particular. Lily Lolo has won natural beauty awards, so you can rest assured that it takes its claims seriously without forgoing high-impact colour and shine. The price deserves a mention as these polishes are a steal at just under £7, particularly when compared to other brands whose products don’t match up.
Lily Lolo Carnival, £6.99, available at Lily Lolo
Nailberry
Nails often get neglected in our beauty regimes but they need TLC, too. Thankfully, Nailberry has realised this and introduced an innovative ‘breathable’ range of 5-free polishes that allow air to pass through and keep your nails oxygenated. The latest collection, Vintage Romance, is inspired by the classic movies of the '50s and '60s, with the understated taupe of Cocoa Cabana reflecting the trend for a twist on the nude. The polish looks its most pristine when two coats are applied thinly, followed by a reliable topcoat.
Nailberry Cocoa Cabana, £14.50, available at Nailberry
Orly
Lily Lolo and butter London’s 8-free formulas are impressive, but Orly has gone one better and ticked all the boxes with a 10-free range (no gluten, animal-derived ingredients, parabens, camphor, etc) that is Halal-certified and requires no base or topcoat to look red-carpet ready. That’s a tough CV to beat. Dry and damaged nails will be banished as argan oil and vitamins get to work healing and repairing, while advanced oxygen technology similar to that used in contact lenses allows moisture to penetrate the nails, keeping them strong and hydrated. There are 18 shades to choose from but the creamy pastel pink of Happy and Healthy is sunshine in a bottle, and our pick as the weather warms up.
Orly Breathable Happy and Healthy, £14, available at Orly
Soigné
Soigné is our go-to luxury brand because, although pricey, there are no harmful carcinogens anywhere to be seen on the ingredients list, each polish contains up to 85% plant-sourced raw materials, they’re all vegan-friendly and none of them is tested on animals. The quality is by no means compromised for eco-credentials, so there’s no need to worry about chipping and smudging when getting on with day-to-day life. What's more, the bottles look cute and classy on your dressing table. Soigné’s latest collection Jardin du Minuit (Midnight Garden) consists of three alluring dusky shades and will appeal to anyone looking to vamp up their nail game – the elegant gunpowder grey of Nuit Radieuse has us in raptures.
Soigné Nuit Radieuse, £11, available at Soigné
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