Nail care products can contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Here are some details about nail care products:
Regulation: Nail products for both home and salon use are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) . Nail products intended to treat medical problems, such as nail fungus, are drugs.
Ingredients: Nail products can contain a variety of ingredients, some of which may be harmful. Here are some common nail product ingredients:
- Acetonitrile in Artificial Nail Removers
- Toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin (TSFR) in some nail polishes to make the coating tough and resilient
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde in most common nail polishes
- Triphenyl phosphate, trimethyl pentanyl diisobutyrate, camphor, and dibutyl phthalate in plasticizers that provide flexibility and adhesion
- Tosylamide/formaldehyde resin, tosylamide/epoxy resin, formalin, methylene glycol, and tolunesulfonamide/formaldehyde resin in resins that improve adhesion, hardening, and gloss
- Ethyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, butyl acetate, and toluene in solvent-extender that keep nail polish in liquid form
- Iron oxides, color lakes, mica, and other FDA-approved colorants in pigments that provide color
- Stearalkonium hectorite and bentonite in suspending agents that keep ingredients evenly distributed
- Benzophenone-1 as a UV stabilizer to prevent colors from fading
Positive: Some non-toxic nail polish brands that avoid harmful ingredients include Zoya, Kure Bazaar, Benecos, Piggy Paint, and Aila.
Negative: Some nail products contain ingredients that are considered toxic, such as triphenyl phosphate in Sally Hansen nail polish. Some ingredients may trigger discomfort in the eyes and skin, or cause allergic reactions.
It is important to note that nail polish ingredients have undergone review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, which uses peer-reviewed scientific literature to determine safety. However, there are still some safety concerns for nail technicians working in nail salons.
