Our favorite cleaner nail polishes in nudes and reds for the perfect non toxic holiday manicure.
Base Coat
When Tran Wills, Base Coat Founder, was pregnant with her fourth child, she wanted one last pedicure before heading to the hospital. While waiting for her treatment at a local salon, her nose started bleeding and she became nauseous from the harsh chemicals. After immediately walking out, she knew there was something more to her experience. In 2013, Tran founded Base Coat with their OG line which is 8-free, and now also offers a range called Breathable, which is 10-free.
Free From: The “Suspicious 6”: Essential Oils, Drying Alcohols, Silicones, Chemical Sunscreens, Fragrances/dyes, SLS), Sulfates, Parabens, Phthalates
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Côte
Taking cue from the brand’s chic, beachy salons in Los Angeles and New York City, Côte nail polish boasts a wonderfully curated and varied selection of colors in a 10-free, long-lasting formulation. We especially love that everything is manufactured in the U.S., with the exception of the Italian made glass bottles.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate [DBP], Toluene, Camphor, Formaldehyde Resin and Triphenyl Phosphate [TPHP], Xylene, Ethyl Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin, Gluten, Animal Products
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Deborah Lippmann
Deborah Lippmann is a celebrity and fashion manicurist who has designed nail polishes for the stars with names inspired by famous song titles. Her namesake line offers long-wearing formulas are 5-Free, with a wide range of color offerings that stand out.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, DBP, Camphor, Animal Testing
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Honey Bee Gardens
Unlike most solvent-based polishes, Honey Bee Gardens uses a patented water-based formula with a 12-free ingredient list, which makes them odorless, and arguably one the cleanest polish out there. With 26 colors in finishes matte, slight iridescence, and slight shimmer, feel good about finding the perfect holiday nail color this season.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate, Camphor, Formaldehyde Resin, Xylene, Parabens, Fragrance, Nitrocellulose Resin, Animal Ingredients, Triphenyl Phosphate or Benzophenone-1
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JINsoon
Created by nail artist Jin Soo Choi, these polishes are 9-10 free (free from toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, DPB, camphor, and formaldehyde resin) , and are formulated with high-tech polymers and resins that ensure long wear with glossy, high-shine finish and a quick-dry formulation for a mani on the go.
Free from: Animal Ingredients and Testing, Fragrance
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Orosa
Orosa’s Pure Cover Nail Polish is a 14-free formula— which puts them at the top of our clean list— that is also vegan, cruelty and gluten free, as well as quick drying. Their polishes come in distinct colour offerings and the best part is the applicator which has a shorter wand, and a flat, wide, curved brush that hugs the natural shape of your nail for precision during those last minute at-home manicures.
Free from: “The Nope List” Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, Camphor, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ethyl Tosylamide, MEHQ (Mequinol)/HQ (Hydroquinone), MIT (Methylisothiazolinone), Palm Oil, Parabens, Animal-Derived Ingredients, Gluten
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Talon
Talon is a 10-free, vegan nail polish line with a range of fashionable shades, but why we really love them is their recycling program, which repurposes every Italian made glass bottle that you send back to the company. Each order of Talon is also shipped in 100% post consumer recycled material mailers, most of which are biodegradable and compostable.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dbp, Camphor, Formaldehyde Resin, Xylene, Parabens, Ethyl Tosylamide, Triphenyl Phosphate, Fragrance, Phthalates, Animal ingredients
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Tentoverten
Tentoverten is another NYC based clean polish line, with an 8-free formula and delicate yet pigmented colors designed to strengthen the nail. Nadine Abramcyk and Adair Ilynisky founded Tentoverten nail salons with the goal to create an affordable and healthy line of nail products.
Free from: Parabens, Sulfates, Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs), Mineral Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Formaldehyde/Formaldehyde Releasers, Volatile Silicones, Petrolatum Paraffin Wax, Animal Products, Animal Testing, Fragrance
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Zoya
One of the first “free from” polishes, Zoya offers a 5-free range with 400 colours that range from sheer to shimmery to matte, all with a beautiful depth. Zoya also offers cleaner nail care products like polish remover and cuticle treatment.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate, Camphor
Shop Zoya 10
Mischo Beauty
A 10-free formulation with vibrant colors and staying power. While pregnant with her son, Kitiya Mischo King was unrelenting in her search for chic, richly-hued polish that would cause no harm to her or her unborn baby. Six long months later, she was left with polishes in bland colors that chipped and cracked, and chunky lacquers that did not allow for smooth application. A future without impeccable nails was untenable, so she moved to create what she could not find. With a degree in chemistry and licenses in Cosmetology, Esthetics, and Makeup Artistry, Kitiya was well equipped for the challenge before her— that of filling the void of luxe, non-toxic nail lacquer in the beauty landscape.
Free from: Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Triphenyl Phosphate, Tert-butyl hydroperoxide, Parabens, Artifical Fragrance, Vegan, Cruelty Free, Gluten Free
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Bare Hands
For the minimalist, this dry gloss manicure is an at-home nail care kit that nourishes, strengthens, and shines for a healthy, polished natural nail. Packed in a vegan leather case, The Polisher and Cuticle Oil hydrate, condition cuticles, and add a natural shine—with only the purest ingredients. The Polisher’s glass and mineral blend gently bind keratin cells with no chipping and no dry time needed.
Free from Parabens, Cyclic Silicones, Never tested on animals
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