School is back in session. You may try to find some time on a weekend when there is nothing to do to have a Mommy (or Daddy) and Me Spa Day, complete with a self-soothing and beautifying mani and pedi, afoot. When making your beautification plans, you want to be sure that all is as safe and nurturing as possible—especially for your mini-me. So here is a guide to a few safer polish brands, we have researched and tried—just for you!
Here are our top three picks!
GLH Nail Lacquer- boutique brand, 5 free, vegan based in Brooklyn NY, www.GLHBeauty.com, retail $12
GLH Nail Lacquer was founded in 2015 by Gina L. Hicks. She is a Mercedes Benz NYFW manicurist and small-business owner, based in Brooklyn, NY. The creation of GLH Nail Lacquer was birthed as a tribute to her late parents. Gina says, “My parents were great role models in my life. They taught me to be passionate, persevere and most of all to be patient with the process of life. So I dedicate this line to them.” GLH Nail Lacquer is leaving a legacy for generations to come. The brand can be purchased online on the website www.GLHBeauty.com
● Free of the following harsh chemicals:
o Toluene
o Camphor
o Formaldehyde
o Formaldehyde Resin
o DBP-Dibutyl Phthalate
Ella + Mila- mainstream brand, 7 free, Vegan, PETA Certified, Made in the USA, www.EllaMila.com, Mommy & Me ® (duo set), retail $16
Ella + Mila was initially inspired by the twin daughters (affectionately named Ella and Mila) of one of the founders. The brand is made in the USA and can be found at several retailers such as target, Ulta beauty, and private spas across the country. The brand came from the desire to have a high-end product that is also eco-friendly. Their motto is polish with love ® and they achieve that with their 7 free formula.
● Free of the following harsh chemicals:
o Toluene
o Camphor
o Formaldehyde
o Formaldehyde Resin
o DBP-Dibutyl Phthalate
o Xylene
o Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
TenOverTen- online & boutique brand, 8 free, Vegan, Gluten free, Made in the USA, www.TenOverTen.com, retail $18
TenOverTen was created in response to the lack of quality nail salons in the Tribeca (New York) neighborhood. The brand is unique in that it is a polish manufacturer and has six nail boutiques across the U.S. Their boutique-like salons gives you the feeling of an enjoyable social hour, while in a beautiful apartment-like setting, getting your nails manicured by highly-trained technicians with care. The brand can be found online at Amazon and boutiques across the country.
● Free of the following harsh chemicals:
o Toluene
o Camphor
o Formaldehyde
o Formaldehyde Resin
o DBP-Dibutyl Phthalate
o Xylene
o Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
o Ethyl Tosylamide
Chemical descriptions:
Toluene
Toluene is a toxic chemical used in nail products and hair dyes. Exposure to toluene can result in temporary effects such as headaches, dizziness and cracked skin as well as more serious effects such as reproductive damage and respiratory complications.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (FRPs) are used in many personal care products, particularly in shampoos and liquid baby soaps. These chemicals, which help prevent microbes from growing in water-based products, can be absorbed through the skin, and have been linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions.
Camphor
This is a scented substance derived from the wood of the camphor tree, a natural ingredient. But in large doses it can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches when inhaled, making it a concern for nail technicians. It acts as a cover on your nails, depriving them of nutrients and causing yellow staining on your nails.
Xylene
A solvent that keeps your nail polish from getting gloppy; it’s also a known allergen and possible carcinogen, according to research from the International Agency on Research For Cancer Scientific Publications Series.
Formaldehyde Resin
Although formaldehyde resin hasn’t been linked to cancer like regular formaldehyde, it’s a skin allergen known to cause dermatitis. It can also off-gas formaldehyde and may contain residual levels of formaldehyde. It is a soft resin material which, in conjunction with nitrocellulose, forms tough, shiny and durable films on nails, and maintains a high gloss of nail enamel throughout the wear period.
Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
A handful of studies have suggested that TPHP could be an endocrine disruptor which could affect your hormones—in particular, it could potentially affect reproductive health and lipid metabolism (that’s where the “nail polish makes you fat” headline comes from). TPHP is utilized as a flame retardant, used in plastics to improve flexibility and found in nail polish to make it more durable.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
DBP is known to cause lifelong reproductive impairments in male rats, and has been shown to damage the testes, prostate gland, epididymis, penis, and seminal vesicles in animals. Toxic for reproductive and developmental growth. It’s used in nail polish because it increases flexibility and shine.
Ethyl Tosylamide
This highly viscous, amber liquid is used primarily as plasticizer and film former. It is a mixture of isomers of toluene bound to ethane sulfonamide. It is barred from personal-care products in Europe due to its antibiotic properties and a concern over antibiotic resistance.
Definition Citations: www.SafeCosmetics.org, www.tenoverten.com
Stay Beautiful, Stay You,
Joy A Johnson, Contributor
@NailsFacesofJoy
@Joy.A.Johnson
[email protected] ← Have a nail question? Send it here.