Guide to Nail Polish for Sensitive Skin

Finding a high-quality nail polish suitable for sensitive skin can be quite challenging, especially if you have serious allergies. Allergies may occur when your skin comes into contact with an irritant, which includes ingredients found in nail polish. These allergies can develop immediately after the first contact or after repeated exposure. It’s important to note that allergies are a genuine concern, and many people are actively seeking safe alternatives.

Understanding Allergies and Nail Polish

There is no specific rule for when allergies might develop, making it crucial to stay informed about the ingredients in your nail polish products. Below, we provide a list of common chemicals found in both gel and regular nail polish. Our aim is to help you make informed decisions about the products you use. We focus on providing clear information without inducing fear, as the reality of potential skin irritation is sufficient reason for caution.

Toxic Chemicals Often Present in Nail Polish 

Toluene – this toxic chemical appears in nail products and hair dyes. Used to suspend colour in nail polish, Toluene comes from crude oil and the tolu tree. It also helps create a smooth finish across the nail. Exposure to Toluene can cause headaches, dizziness and cracked skin, in addition to more serious reproductive damage and respiratory complications. Additionally, it can even affect the central nervous system. There are varied exposure limits for Toluene, depending on where you live, but any prolonged exposure can cause reactions. 

Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives – these colourless, strong-smelling gases have many uses, including personal care products. These chemicals help prevent microbes from growing in water-based products. They can be absorbed through the skin and lead to allergic skin reactions and cancer. In 2015, the American Contact Dermatitis Society voted Formaldehyde as Contact Allergen of the Year, due to its propensity for causing allergies. Needless to say, you definitely need to stay away from nail polish containing

Formaldehyde in any form. 

Dibutyl Phthalate – also known as DBP, this chemical is used in nail products as a solvent for dyes. It is a plasticizer that prevents nail polishes from becoming brittle. As any nail polish enthusiast knows, brittle polish means more chips and cracks. Dibutyl Phthalate has been linked to skin irritation, endocrine disruption, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and cancer. The EU has banned the use of this chemical in cosmetics, but it still remains a common ingredient in US products.

Picture Polish’s Eco-Friendly Formula

So, you may be left wondering why anyone still uses these chemicals. The reality is they are inexpensive and widely available. Even if you’re trying your best to avoid them, it’s a real challenge. Many of these chemicals have multiple names and keeping track can feel like an impossible task. This is particularly worrisome for those with sensitive skin and allergies! Creating nail polish without harsh chemicals remains one of our top priorities. 

We want our community to feel safe using our products and remain committed to making nail polish for sensitive skin. That said, one of our polishes—Looking Glass top coat—contains less than 3% of Benzophenone-1. While Benzophenone-1 is a chemical component, studies have shown that any potential dangers are minimal when used in small quantities and in a well-ventilated area. For the time being our much loved Looking Glass top coat will continue to be available to customers. If a fast-drying top coat that matches the performance of our current one becomes available without it, we will consider making the switch. Our other top coats and all of our other polishes are free of Benzophenone-1.

As we’ve sought new ways to enhance the eco-friendliness of our formula, we’ve sourced some unique ingredients. No, we aren’t listing the menu for a delicious brunch, but if you’re hosting, we’d love to stop by! In addition to our colour formula now having over 70% natural origin, with ingredients that come from plant sources such as sugar cane, manioc, potato, and corn. As research and development continue, we are excited to see what the future holds. By omitting common chemicals that can cause allergic skin reactions, our nail polish is a safe and beautiful option.

And it’s not just about the base formula, which can be a deceptive business practice. Using partially non-toxic ingredients isn’t enough, in our opinion. If we’re going to do it, we want to do it right. Not only is our formula non-toxic, but our additional elements are also non-toxic. Whether you’re deciding between a simple crème manicure or a blazing holographic polish, it all has the same good stuff. The sky is the limit with over 90 shades to try! 

At Picture Polish, we are obsessed with creating non-toxic nail polish for allergies that you can feel good about. That means no harsh chemicals and an eco-friendly formula. A misconception around toxic-free, vegan, and cruelty-free nail polish is that it doesn’t last. We’ve been proving them wrong for over 10 years now! Highly pigmented nail polish with skin-friendly ingredients is our specialty!

So, the next time you’re looking for a splash of colour across your nails, choose Picture Polish! A safe and beautiful option for sensitive skin, and we can’t wait to see what you create. Please tag us @PicturePolish on Instagram!