Making the switch to a cruelty-free lifestyle? Then you need cruelty-free nail polish. A cruelty-free and vegan lifestyle goes beyond what you eat and when you care about animal testing and are all about pushing your wellness to the next level, adding cruelty-free nail polish is key. Everything we put in our bodies has a direct impact on our health so you may want to give cruelty-free nail polish a chance. This is why today we’ll be sharing with you some of the best cruelty-free nail polish choices.
If you are the type that takes the motto, dress to impress to heart, then you understand that nail polish is a must for ladies; however, it can be a daunting task to find a cruelty-free option. Nail polish is one of those products you cannot afford not to have and since your nails also deserve the very best is time you give them the right products. Once you’ve made up your mind to switch over to cruelty-free and vegan products, you’ll never look back.
Whether you’re wanting to replace your regular nail polish with a cruelty-free alternative or you’re desperately looking to find a vegan option, you have come to the right place. As you can tell by now, finding the right cruelty-free deodorant may sound quite confusing, the good news is there are many options available so there’s no need to obtain your nail polish from brands that test on animals. And to give you a little hand, we’ve come up with some of the best cruelty-free brands currently available.
Cruelty-Free Nail Polish FAQs
Why do you need cruelty-free nail polish?
Studies show that nail polish chemicals can seep into the bloodstream even though the nail bed. For that reason, and the fact that traditional nail polish has been linked to everything from breast cancer to endocrine disruption, non-toxic nail polish has become a new, necessary trend in the world of clean beauty.
How toxic is regular nail polish?
- The three most commonly known hazardous chemicals which can be found in nail polish are Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde, and Toluene. If nail polish is free of these three toxic ingredients, it would be considered “3-Free”. Brands can also be considered “5-Free”, “7-Free”, and so on. “5-Free” polishes contain no Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor, in addition to the original three, and “7-Free” polishes also eschew Ethyl Tosylamide and Andxylene.
- 5-free nail polish means that the nail polish doesn’t contain the top 5 most toxic chemicals most often found in nail polish formulas. Typical 5-free polishes are do not contain dibutyl phthalate (aka DBP), formaldehyde and formaldehyde resins, toluene, or camphor. Avoiding these five hazardous chemicals should be your baseline requirement.
- 7-free nail polish goes a little bit further than 5-free. It means that the nail polish doesn’t contain two additional not great chemicals– usually ethyl tosylamide and triphenyl phosphate (aka tphp). Therefore, 7-free nail polish is just a little bit “cleaner” than 5-free polish.
- 8-free nail polish means that the nail polish does not contain dibutyl phthalate (dbp), toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate (tphp) or xylene. All of these chemicals are carcinogens and endocrine disruptors, which are toxic to our bodies.
- 10-free nail polish is the best of the best. This means that the nail polish is free from all the same things as 8-free polish, as well as parabens and tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The 10-free designation is the highest standard in the non-toxic nail polish industry.
Are metallic and shimmery shades cruelty-free?
If you’re a fan of metallic and shimmery shades (and let’s face it, who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle?), just beware that sometimes this effect is made by the use of fish scales. Gross, right? You’ll need to look out for ‘guanine’ or ‘pearl’ on the ingredients list.
Is OPI vegan and cruelty-free?
OPI is owned by Coty and inherits its animal testing policy. Although OPI as a company does not test their finished products or ingredients on animals, they nevertheless pay others to test their products on animals “where required by law”. This means that OPI is not cruelty-free.
What nail polish is vegan and cruelty-free?
The list of cruelty-free nail brands includes Orly, China Glaze, Deborah Lippmann, LVX, Orly, and Seche Vite.
Cruelty-Free Nail Polish
China Glaze Nail Lacquer with Hardeners
China Glaze is a professional-level nail enamel made with a special balance of polymers and resins that combine to create a nail lacquer that is long-lasting, chip-resistant, and resistant to color and shines fading.
For the longest-lasting manicure apply Seche Clear Base Coat, two coats of lacquer, and then Seche Vite topcoat. Refresh when needed with another coat of topcoat. Great for manicures and pedicures.
Formulated without Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (Phthalates), Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Xylene, Triphenyl Phosphate, Parabens, Animal Derived, Sulfate.
Features:
- Long-lasting
- Chip resistant
- Vibrant color
Orly Bleu Iris
Make an impression with color as iconic as its namesake. This pastel cornflower blue is the ultimate spring statement shade.
Apply one coat of ORLY Bonder Rubberized basecoat to prepped nails. Apply two coats of color allowing them to dry slightly between coats. Finish with your favorite ORLY topcoat and let dry.
Features:
- Pastel Color
- Easy to Apply
- Everyday Occasion
Pacifica Plant Magic Polish
Believe in magic! Pacifica Plant Magic Polish is an innovative, 16-free, bio-based formula that is designed to be long-lasting with rich, vibrant colors.
Clean bio-based formula with up to 80% bio-sourced ingredients, from renewable vegetable biomass. Infused with bio-ceramics that are rich in calcium and magnesium. 16 FREE Formulated without animals, toluene, formaldehyde resin, camphor, formaldehyde, acetone, xylene, phthalates (including DBP), triphenyl phosphate (TPP), parabens, ethyl tosylamide, bisphenol A (BPA), sulfates, e-series glycol ethers, benzophenone 1, 2, nonylphenol ethoxylate
Long-wearing formula, with up to 6 days of wear. Comes with a flat, vegan brush for easy, smooth application. Apply on clean, dry nails for smooth application. Let it dry before applying any topcoats. To extend your mani and keep polish from chipping, apply any of Pacifica’s topcoats every 2-3 days.
Features:
- 16-free Formula
- 100% Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cirque Colors Crème Nail Polish
Cirque Colors’ high-quality creme polish is rich in color, is opaque in 2 coats, and has a smooth long-lasting finish.
This polish is vegan, animal cruelty-free, non-toxic formula, and 10-free.
The brand does not use any animal ingredients or byproducts such as beeswax, lanolin, or carmine. Additionally, the products and ingredients are never tested on animals.
Many standard nail polishes may contain toxins that can be harmful to us. The 10-free formula does not contain toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, phthalates, parabens, and fragrances.
Features:
- Creme Finish
- 10-Free
- Non-Toxic
Eternal Mirror Shine Nail Polish Set
Check out these 4 flattering shades that will make your hand look more graceful and polished. The idea is to brighten and enhance your nails while adding a flattering tone.
You won’t need much patience while waiting for the polish to dry. Eternal Cosmetics Collections are quick-dry, so they will be ready in record time.
Free of Toluene, Formaldehyde, Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, MEHQ / HQ, MIT, Parabens, Animal-derived ingredients, and Gluten.
Features:
- Long-Lasting
- Fast-Dry
- 12 Free and Vegan Formula
Jolie Vegan Nail Polish
Jolie Vegan nail polishes are free of 10 top harsh ingredients found in standard nail polishes. With this color, you can feel fantastic is best described as a bubblegum pink shade.
Each Jolie Vegan nail polish is paired with an inspiring bit of advice or confidence-building expression, thus promoting mental health.
Their products are not made with any animal products or byproducts and are not tested on animals at any point in the manufacturing process by Jolie Vegan or a third party.
Features:
- Vegan Nail Polish
- Cruelty-Free Nail Polish
- PETA Certified
- Non-Toxic
Karma Organic Natural Nail Polish-Non-Toxic Nail Art
This vitamin-enriched formula is long-lasting and chip-resistant. The nail strengthening formula contains calcium and coffee extract to nourish nails and prevent peeling.
The unique blend of plant-derived ingredients is free of TPHP and is “7 free”. The brand does not use toluene, formaldehyde, DBP, camphor, xylene, formaldehyde resin, or any other harmful chemicals.
They support animal-friendly values and the vegan lifestyle. The polish is also child-friendly and pregnancy safe.
Features:
- Glossy Finish
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
Lacomchir Non-Toxic Nail Polish
The nail polish set has glossy and matt finishes. If only applying nail polish, it will be a matte finish. If the base & top coat cover nail polish, it will give a glossy finish.
It can meet your needs for various occasions, such as work, parties, and classes. This is a non-toxic nail polish don’t contain chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP and has minimal odor.
It is a great Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year gifts choice for women, teenagers, and children.
Features:
- Vegan
- Eco-Friendly
- Water-Based
MOW Nail Polish – Blank Slate
Mow Nails has the mission to provide a vegan, non-toxic, and cruelty-free alternative to guarantee that you are able to give your nails the care they deserve with the trendy long-lasting colors of the season.
MOW Nails products have been carefully designed to create a formula that complies with the new standards of clean beauty, yet it provides all the benefits of high-quality nail polish: long-lasting, shiny, and easy to apply.
This new collection of vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic nail polishes, doesn’t contain any of the following 7 toxic ingredients commonly found in nail polishes: toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, and xylene.
Features:
- Vegan
- Cruelty-Free
- Non-Toxic
AZA Nail Polish
This nail polish is fortified with vitamin E & tea tree oil to promote healthy nails.
Vegan, 10-free, cruelty-free, and non-toxic, made by a podiatrist. Features tea tree oil and vitamin E. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties and Vitamin E helps nourish the nail.
You can expect high shine gloss, fast-drying, and long-lasting, opaque, and summer colors.
Features:
- Vegan
- 10-Free
- Cruelty-Free
- Non-Toxic
