During my second pregnancy, I decided to get rid of ALL of my nail polish. I know, *gasp*!
I literally sold my entire collection at a garage sale. I’m not gonna lie. It hurt a little bit!
I still wanted to keep my nails looking fresh so I decided to try natural nail polish.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. I am not a doctor. All opinions are my own.
With my second baby on the way, I didn’t want to make trips to the nail salon or breathe in any toxic chemicals.
My research led me to discover that many traditional nail polish and nail polish removers have harmful chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde (the stuff they use to preserve corpses *barf!*), and toluene!
These are often called the “toxic trio” because of how much potential danger they pose to people who wear them.
Formalydalde always reminds me of when I took anatomy in college and we had to dissect cats. The smell is awful!
No one should be breathing that in, especially pregnant women. We deserve better ladies!
Many of these ingredients are also endocrine disruptors which means they can mess with your hormones. As a mom of 4, I know pregnant women don’t need any more hormone drama than necessary, right?! 😉
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So What Nail Polish Can You Use?
The good news is, after searching for the best pregnancy-safe nail polish I found several natural nail polish brands that are free from nasty chemicals and toxic ingredients!
You can wear them without having to worry about the safety of your unborn baby. What a relief!
These days there are many choices of natural nail polish that are free from the toxic trio and other potentially harmful ingredients.
You’ll notice different brands have labels that tell how many chemicals they are free of such as:
- 3-free: No toluene, DBP, or formaldehyde
- 5-free: No toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, or camphor
- 7-free: No toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, or xylene
- 10-free: No toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, or animal ingredients
Pregnant women don’t have to skip nail polish altogether. Instead, you can choose from natural nail polish brands for a beautiful fresh set of nails and peace of mind!
If you’re interested in more non-toxic options for pregnancy, be sure to try these DIY natural deodorant recipes!
Here we go, mamas! Check out these gorgeous natural nail polish options!
1. Ella + Mila
Ella+mila nail polishes are 17-Free! This means they are made without 17 harmful chemicals. They are vegan and animal cruelty-free, made in the USA, and certified by PETA.
This gorgeous nail lacquer comes in a glass bottle with a ton of beautiful colors to choose from.
They also have a mommy & me line which is absolutely adorable. Once you give birth you can match your baby without worrying about yucky ingredients!
2. Aila
AILA Cosmetics is physician-developed and free from 8 common toxins normally found in nail polish. Comes in many bold chip-resistant colors!
3. Cote
Cote toxin-free nail polish is cruelty-free and vegan. It is free of the 6 major toxins. Available in stunning colors, it is made in the USA!
4. Zoya
Zoya offers a healthy version of nail polish in a variety of shades. It is one of the best choices for pregnant women. Zoya’s polishes are vegan-friendly and 10 Free!
5. Butter London
Butter London is cruelty-free, vegan, paraben-free, and also 10 free! That’s a mouth full!
They use shock-resistant polymer technology which provides long wear and chip resistance.
It also has bamboo extract which helps to promote stronger nails and prevents breakage. Sounds very durable for mom life!
6. Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure.
This drugstore favorite has a line that’s reasonably priced and clean! Its formula is free from sixteen top chemicals.
It comes with a plant-based brush and is 100% vegan. A great choice if you need to run to the store and pick up something quick and affordable!
7. Piggy Paint
I buy piggy paint for my 3 daughters and they love it! This non-toxic nail polish is perfect for expectant mothers and kids because it is non-toxic, virtually odorless, cruelty-free, and vegan.
It is a celebrity favorite and trusted by parents. It is water-based but still dries hard.
8. ILNP Juliette
ILNP Juliette is cruelty-free, vegan, 5-free, and non-toxic. It is known for its intense holographic sparkle that is sooo gorgeous!
The best part is it’s not glitter so the removal is painless, unlike the glitter polish I used as a kid that took forever to take off! Does anyone else remember those days?!
9. Cirque Colors
Cirque Colors is a high-quality creme polish that is vegan and animal cruelty-free. It has a non-toxic formula and is 10-free. It is handmade in small batches in Brooklyn, NY.
10. Mineral Fusion
Mineral Fusion is a long-lasting, chip-resistant nail polish that is vegan and made in the USA. It is free from formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, and camphor. It also comes with an extra-wide brush for flawless application!
11. Karma Organic
Karma organic nail polish is vitamin-enriched, long-lasting, and chip-resistant. It is plant-derived, 7-free, vegan, and cruelty-free They also use glass bottles and soy-based ink!
12. Sophi
SOPHi comes in beautiful colors and is non-toxic which makes it perfect for everyone!
13. Handmade Beauty
Handmade Beauty is non-toxic and does not contain toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, or parabens. It is also vegan and cruelty-free!
14. Bontime
Bontime is a water-based, low-odor nail polish that is also safe and eco-friendly. It is free of chemicals and can be peeled off when you are done with it so you don’t even need nail polish remover!
15. OPI Nature Strong
OPI Nature Strong is a plant-based, natural-origin nail lacquer from one of the top nail polish brands. They are 9-free, cruelty-free, and made with naturally sourced plant-based ingredients!
16. Jolie
Jolie Vegan products are certified by PETA, 100% vegan, and cruelty-free. They are also 10-Free so you won’t have to worry about harsh chemicals!
17. Dr.’s Remedy
Dr.’s Remedy is a great non-toxic option that is 7-free, cruelty-free, and vegan friendly. It also contains biotin, tea-tree oil, garlic bulb extract, lavender, wheat protein, and vitamins for healthy nails!
18. Beetles Gel Polish
If you’re looking for a gel polish look no further! Beetles gel polish is healthy and environmentally friendly. It is 9 toxin-free and has low odor with no harsh ingredients.
19. Nailtural
Nailtural uses natural ingredients like potato, beet, and cassava for healthy nails and a better environment. Their nail polishes are 16-free and formulated without sulfates, phthalates, and parabens.
Also, their plant-based formula dries in under 2 minutes per coat!
20. 786 Cosmetics
786 Cosmetics nail polishes are vegan and cruelty-free. They are made without the top 11 harshest chemicals found in typical nail polish.
They also allow water through the nail polish which keeps nails healthy and hydrated.
21. Karma Kids
Karma Kids Nail polish is great for kids or pregnancy because it is gentle and safe. It is free from toxins: TPHP, Toluene, Formaldehyde, and DBP and is 100% organic!
22. 10 FREE CHEMISTRY
10 Free Chemistry is a plant-based nail polish that is 21+ free, vegan, and leaping bunny certified. It is made in the USA with sustainable ingredients.
It uses plant extracts, peptides, ceramides, vitamins (B3, B5, B7, E), sodium hyaluronate, & minerals that help repair damaged nails.
23. Honeybee Gardens
Honeybee Gardens is a water-based polish that is non-toxic, kid safe & pregnancy safe. It is also gluten-free, vegan, and PETA-certified cruelty-free!
BONUS: Natural Nail Polish Removers
24. Karma Organic Nail Polish Remover
Conventional nail polish remover can be very harsh on nails and toxic. This unscented organic nail polish remover has a nourishing formula with essential oils and vitamin E.
It is acetone-free and contains natural soybean oil. It is non-toxic and works on various nail polishes such as gel, glitter, and matte.
25. Ella+Mila Soy Nail Polish Remover
This favorite brand also makes a soy-based, acetone-free, nail polish remover for when you want to change out your polish. It is vitamin-enriched and unscented so you don’t have to worry about any strong smells!
Wrapping Up
Although painting your nails doesn’t seem very harmful, long-term exposure to dangerous chemicals can have negative health effects.
During pregnancy or any time, it is important to pay attention to what we put on our bodies.
Thankfully, there are so many nail products that give you a safe option for a beautiful manicure.
I hope you enjoyed this list and find a nail color that is perfect for you!!
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