Nail Products & Polishes that Contain Chemicals of Concern
Chemicals of Concern:
Acrylamide
Benzophenone
BHA
Carbon Black (Airborne)
Cocamide DEA
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Formaldehyde
Methylene Glycol
Triethanolamine
Toluene
Trade Secret Carcinogens and/or Reproductive Toxins
Where did we get this information?
Acrylamide (carcinogen)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail Tek | Quicken | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Other Nail Products* |
Benzophenone (carcinogen, endocrine disruptors)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barielle | Ultra Speed Dry Manicure / Top Coat | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | Instant Nail Hardener | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | No Chip Speed Dry | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | Natural Nail Camouflage | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | Nail Brightener | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | Growth Activator | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Barielle | Protect Plus Color | Fisk Industries Inc | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Palladio | Nail Treatment | Palladio Beauty Group | Nail Creams and Lotions |
| Barielle | Barielle Nail Shade | Fisk Industries Inc | Nail Polish and Enamel |
BHA (carcinogen)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beauty Secrets | Beauty Secrets Professional Acrylic Kit | Arcadia Beauty Labs LLC | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Broadway 2gm. Pink Gel HQ Free Twist Off | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | 2gm B way Gel – Pink Gel Twist | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | 3 gm Clear Gel Glue | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Kiss Quick Pink 3 gm Pink Gel Glue | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | 3 GR. Maximum Glue HQ Fr 3 Bond 1741AHQF | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | 5gm Lightning Speed Brush-on Glue | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Quick Pink Brush on Nail Glue, 5gm, HQ Free | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | HQ-free Lightning Speed Brush on Glue .2 | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | 2gm Kiss Gel – Twist Off HQ Free | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Flawless 3G AL TUBE | Ivy Enterprises, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Broadway 2g Pink Gel Twist Off | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Brush-On Gel Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Broadway 3g Clear Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Broadway 3g Pink Gel Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Broadway | Jet Dry Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Fina | Fina 3g Pink Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Fina | Fast Set Clear Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Medical Glue 2 gram in precision bottle | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Lightning Speed Brush On Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Kiss 2g Pink Gel Glue Twist Off | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Kiss 3g HQ Free Pink Gel | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Pink Gel Glue with Beneficial Ingredients | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | 3g Maximum Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Pro’s Choice Precision Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Kiss Flawless Crystal Thick Gel Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Quick Pink Brush On Gel Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Lightning Speed Brush On Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Pure Repair Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | Brush On Pink Gel Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Kiss | 2g Kiss Pure Conditioning Nail Glue | Kiss Products, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Nail Bliss | Brush on Glue | KMC Exim | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Dashing Diva | Gelife Brush on Glue | KMC Exim | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Dashing Diva | Tailor Bond | KMC Exim | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| B/S 2 1/2 OX Quick Dry Grade 17N0190024 | B/S 2 1/2 OZ Quick Dry | Marianna Industries | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| B/S Glue 3 GM Quick Dry Grade 17N019E001 | B/S Glue 3 GM Quick Dry Grade | Marianna Industries | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Glue Origi-Stik 3 Gram GLU0080 #17N0190034 | Glue Origi-Stik 3 Gram GLU0080 | Marianna Industries | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Fing’rs | 2 g Pink Glue HQ Free NF | Pacific World Cosmetics | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Nailene | Brush-On Gel Overlay | Pacific World Cosmetics | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Nailene | Pink Gel Glue | Pacific World Cosmetics | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
Carbon Black (Airborne) (carcinogen)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ck one color | ck one long wear + shine nail color | Coty | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| N.Y.C – New York Color | NYC In a New York Minute Nail Enamel | Coty | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Rimmel – London | Rimmel – London Salon Pro with Lycra Nail Polish | Coty | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sally Hansen | Sally Hansen Salon Effects French Manicure | Coty | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | Laughin’ To The Bank | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | Shake Your Money Maker | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | Fake It Til You Make It | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | Glitter and Be Gay | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | Pretty Vacant | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Deborah Lippmann | It’s Raining Men | Deborah Lippmann | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sinful Colors | Nail Polish | MIRAGE COSMETICS INC | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sephora | Nail Patch Art – Vernis Motifs Imprimes / Decorated Nail Polish Stickers | S+ | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sephora | Nail designer Top coat ongles / Nail top coat | S+ | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Young Nails | Kaleidoscope Gel Paint, Red | Young Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Young Nails | Kaleidoscope Gel Paint, Black | Young Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
Cocamide DEA (carcinogen)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| SuperNail | Tri Cuticle Softener & Remover | American International Industries | Cuticle Softeners |
| GiGi | White Tea Extract Manicure Soak | American International Industries | Cuticle Softeners |
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) (developmental & reproductive toxin)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | LES BASIQUES BASE ADH’SIVE | Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | LES BASIQUES LAQUE S’CHE-VITE | Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | Vernis ‘ ongles / Nail Enamel | Lise Watier Cosm’tiques Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
Formaldehyde (carcinogen)
Formaldehyde has also been shown to be harmful to fertility. In addition, studies show that pregnant women who are exposed to formaldehyde are more likely to have a miscarriage. Repeated exposure to formaldehyde can cause allergic reactions of the skin (dermatitis) and the lungs (asthma).
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Express | Express Nail Hardener | Alessandro International GmbH | Other Nail Products* |
| Nail Spa | Biotin Nail Hardener | Alessandro International GmbH | Other Nail Products* |
| Nail Spa | Calcium Nail Hardener | Alessandro International GmbH | Other Nail Products* |
| Nail Tek | Foundation II | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Sation | Sation Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Beyond | Beyond Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Regal | Regal Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sheila | Sheila Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | Amanicure Design | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Nail Optimizer | Nail Optimizer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Other Nail Products* |
| OPI | Nail Envy | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Other Nail Products* |
| Seche Vite | Recondition | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Rebuild | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Seche Plus | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche | Recondition | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche | Rebuild | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Fing’rs | Heart 2 Art Nail Polish | Pacific World Cosmetics | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Young Nails | Neon Color Acrylic Powders | Young Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
Methylene Glycol (carcinogen)
Methylene glycol readily converts into formaldehyde. For health concerns, see details above on formaldehyde.
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nail Magic | Nail Magic Hardener and Conditioner | Nail Magic LLC | Other Nail Products* |
Triethanolamine (TEA)
Alone, triethanolamine is not considered a carcinogen. However, it can contain trace amounts of the carcinogen, diethanolamine.
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poshe | AHA Cuticle Care | American International Industries | Cuticle Softeners |
| Gena | Adios Creamy Cuticle Remover | American International Industries | Cuticle Softeners |
Toluene (reproductive toxin)
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sation | Sation Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Beyond | Beyond Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Regal | Regal Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Sheila | Sheila Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | Amanicure Design | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| OPI | OPI Lacquer | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | Base Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | Base Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | Airbrush Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | Airbrush Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | UV Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | UV Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | Sunscreen Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | Sunscreen Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lexi | 45 Second Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | 45 Second Top Coat | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| QT | Polish Thinner | Alfalfa Nail Supply, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel Removers |
| Seche | Vite Top Coat | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Professional Kit | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche | Vite | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Restore | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Envogue | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Chemis | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Couture | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Bijou | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Ridge Filling | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche | Base | American International Industries | Basecoats and Undercoats |
| Seche Vite | Seche Rose | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Lacquer Porcelain | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Chic | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Chiffon | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Dry Top Coat | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Elegant | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Satine | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche | French Couture Lacquer – Bijou | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche | Vite Seche Rose | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche | Restore | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche | Porcelain | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Seche Red | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Dry Fast Topcoat | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Seche Vite | Dry Topcoat | American International Industries | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Cali Chem | Air-Brush Glowing Topcoat | Cali Chem Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Entity Nail Top Coat | UV Nail Topcoat | Entity Beauty, Inc. | UV Gel Nail Polish |
**Trade Secret Carcinogens and/or Reproductive Toxins
Companies can file for “Trade Secret” status, and avoid disclosing the public about toxic chemicals found within their products. For more information on the problems with Trade Secrets, click here.
| Brand | Product Name | Company | Product Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tammy Taylor | A Coat | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Tammy Taylor | Soak-Off Nail Gel | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Tammy Taylor | Nail Powder S-Set (Summer) | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Tammy Taylor | Nail Powder | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Tammy Taylor | Prizma Powderz | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Artificial Nails and Related Products |
| Tammy Taylor | Z-Coat | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Tammy Taylor | Airbrush Top Coat | Tammy Taylor Nails, Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Lumene | Lumene Quick & Chic Nail Polish | Lumene Oy | Nail Polish and Enamel |
| Mary Kay | Hello Sunshine Collection Nail Lacquer | Mary Kay Inc. | Nail Polish and Enamel |
The Research
This research is compiled from the California Safe Cosmetics Database (May 2015). California Safe Cosmetics Database requires companies to report ingredients in their cosmetic products that are considered carcinogens or reproductive toxins under Proposition 65. The California Safe Cosmetics Act (the Act) requires companies that manufacture cosmetics to report any cosmetics products that contain ingredients known or suspected to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
This list is only a partial compilation of problematic nail products. Other chemicals of concern, which are not required to be reported to the State of California, may be found in nail products but are not reflected in the Safe Cosmetics Database. Information about other chemicals of concern in salon products can be found here.
*Nail products other than: Artificial Nails and Related Products; Basecoats and Undercoats; Cuticle Softeners; Nail Creams and Lotions; Nail Polish and Enamel; Nail Polish and Enamel Removers; UV Gel Nail Polish.
**Many of these products also come in several shades/pigments, each of which contain a reported trade secret chemical.
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Beauty and Its Beast
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I would appreciate a list of safe non toxic nail products.
Thanks!
You can look up less toxic nail polishes on the EWG Skin Deep Website. It will give you a list of non toxic cosmetics by category and you can also look up individual products and it will give you the ingredients and toxicity rating.
I love doing my own press on nails…so the Kiss glue in any form is cancer causing
Hey! Just wondering why Quimica Alemana isn’t on this list and if you can point me to anywhere I can get more information about the product. Thank you!
Good question! It appears that Quimica Alemana nail hardener does include formaldehyde as an ingredient. Therefore the company should be reporting the presence of the ingredient to the California Safe Cosmetics Database (which is the source of the data for this list.) There is suspicion that there is still vast underreporting to the database – so this appears to be just one example. We will be happy to forward this information along to the California Safer Products program. (There is the possibility that this company does not have large enough annual sales to be required to report however.)
Meanwhile for more information on the product: the Quimica Alemana website doesn’t have great ingredient disclosure: http://www.quimicaalemana.com/en/
But we did find this beauty supply store that list the ingredients on their website:
http://www.justbeautysupplies.com/quimicaalemananailhardener.aspx#.WJikF_I0MwA
Hope that’s helpful
Alex Scranton
Director of Science and Research
Women’s Voices for the Earth
What about Elite99? Is the most sold items on Amazon!
Thanks
Thanks for providing this information. I don’t see LA Colors on this website and I can’t find information on EWG.org. Any feedback on that brand?
Hi is yuan shun soak off gel polish toxic