Decoding Non Toxic Nail Polishes: What Are 3, 5, 7, And 10 Free?

Nail polish can pose quite the conundrum. The lure of fun, sparkly nails is often hard to ignore. But at the same time, we know that most commercial nail polishes are full of harmful ingredients and that getting a mani means exposing ourselves to some toxic chemical nasties.

You can read more on why nail polish is so problematic, here.

Fortunately, not all nail polishes are created equal. Some are undoubtedly safer than others. The beauty industry has heard the call for safe nail polish and many brands (even the big ones) now offer 3 free and 5 free nail polishes.

But while it’s great that we can now feel better about our manicures, the many types of non toxic nail polishes can sometimes be confusing. So today, we wade into the world of natural nail colour and introduce you to our favourites.

3 free nail polish

3 free nail polish brands are free of the so-called Toxic Trio: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. These three are the most harmful - and most common - toxic ingredients found in many mainstream polishes. You definitely want to seek out DPB free nail polish!

4 free nail polish

But why stop at 3? There's also 4 free, which is free of the Toxic Trio, as well as formaldehyde resin.

5 free nail polish

As you can see, the number refers to the amount of toxic ingredients removed from the nail polish formula. Today, 5 free nail polish brands are the minimum of what we look for. These safer polishes don’t contain the Toxic Trio and are also free of formaldehyde resin and camphor.

7 free nail polish

On top of the nasties mentioned above, 7 free nail polishes are also free from ethyl tosylamide and xylene.

We think that one of the best 7 free nail polish brands is Hanami, which is cruelty free, palm oil free, vegan nail polish, and made in Australia. These polishes are fast drying, chip resistant, and come in a range of gorgeous colours.

8 free nail polish

8 free nail polishes go even further. These are free from DBP, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, and triphenyl phosphate (TPHP).

Our top 8 free picks: Benecos organic nail polish (budget friendly, doesn't chip, and comes in a variety of vibrant shades) and Butter London (their on-trend polishes last up to 10 days and are formulated to strengthen nails).

10 free nail polish

10 free nail polishes strip out even more bad stuff. These are free from all of the dodgy ingredients previously mentioned, plus fragrances and animal ingredients.

Our top 10 free picks are Ere Perez (85% plant based!) and Kester Black natural nail polish (ethically and sustainably made; comes in dozens of striking colours).

For kids

You never have to worry about your 5-year-old chewing off (and eating) her nail polish again. Snails, one of our fave non toxic kids nail polishes, is completely odourless and comes off with just soap and water. This brand is said to be the “first 12 free, washable and water based nail polish in the world” and is made in the EU under the strictest cosmetics laws. You'll be glad to know that even mums can use this.

If you're looking for the best non toxic nail polish, make sure to check out the range at Hello Charlie.