Nail polish is a cosmetic product that is used by millions of people daily. Most common nail polishes like Essie are "3-free", meaning they are formulated without dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. "5-free" polishes exclude formaldehyde resin and camphor as well, while 7-free, 9-free, etc. formulas can differ in the ingredients they leave out. However, some nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. For example, some nail ingredients are harmful when swallowed, but not when used on the nails, because the nail is a barrier, which prevents absorption. Some common nail product ingredients that people often ask about, or that raise special safety concerns include:
- Acetonitrile in Artificial Nail Removers
- Toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin (TSFR) in some nail polishes
- Acrylic polymers in artificial nails
In addition, a study found that toxic metals including antimony and aluminum were present in many of the sampled polishes, even though these polishes did not disclose them as ingredients. It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. If you have a reaction to a nail product, it is recommended to report it to the FDA.
