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Nail Products & Polishes that Contain Chemicals of Concern

Includes brands, products, manufacturers & more - your guide to toxic chemicals found in nail polishes & products.
Nail polish image

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.

Beauty and Its Beast report cover

Beauty and Its Beast

Unraveling the impact of toxic chemicals

on salon worker health

 

9 Responses

  1. Brittany A

    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.

  2. Amelia

    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!

  3. 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

  4. Jessie

    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?

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