The 12 Best Clean Nail Polishes

Help is at Hand

Help is at Hand

How “fresh” is your fresh manicure? Many nail lacquers on the market and in salons (even some fancy brands!) are formulated with formaldehyde, phthalates, camphor, xylene, toluene, parabens, plus other potent chemicals. And what you put on your body will inevitably be absorbed into your body—this can cause headaches, skin irritation, nervous system damage, and other health risks. Luckily, there’s a healthier way to rock nail color, and opting for clean ingredients doesn’t mean sacrificing long-lasting, glossy manis. There are benefits to swapping to non-toxic polish, whether it’s 3-free (free of three “non-clean” ingredients or all the way to 10-free): When you ditch the harsh ingredients and treat your nails with TLC, they’ll actually grow healthier overtime. Here, we’ll dish on 12 of our fave non-toxic polish brands and why they made the cut.

Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Polish

Crabtree & Evelyn Nail Polish

For a healthy, glossy manicure that lasts for days, try a swatch from Crabtree & Evelyn’s collection of clean lacquers. Formulated without camphor, dibutyl phthalates, formaldehyde, or toluene, the polish reinforces and strengthens nails with brilliant color. Plus, it glides on smooth and dries super quickly. We’re currently coveting Wisteria, a pretty blue-purple with subtle shimmer.

Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish

Dr.'s REMEDY Enriched Nail Polish

We’ve all been guilty of using color to conceal brittle, unsightly nails—but it’s a catch-22 when polish contains chemicals that further degenerate nail health. Dr.’s REMEDY—created by two board-certified podiatric surgeons—is a unique line of vegan polish that preaches healthy and gorgeous nails. All 39 high-shine hues contain organic wheat protein, tea tree oil, garlic bulb extract, and lavender to strengthen and enhance nail health without harsh ingredients.

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals

Dermelect Cosmeceuticals "ME" Nail Lacquers

Our nails lose protein as we age, causing them to feel weak, fragile, and hard to grow. Dermelect’s 5-free, anti-aging polish is infused with hydrolyzed keratin peptide and vitamins to deliver brilliant color to your digits and help resist chipping, peeling, and splitting. (Plus, the line is cruelty-free!) From chic nudes to electric blues, there’s a hue for every season and reason; To The Core is a cool russet copper to stock up on for fall.

Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer

Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer

Outshine the rest! With its patented Shock Resisting Polymer Technology, Butter London has upped the ante with a new 8-free formula (formerly 3-free) that delivers high-octane shine and a flawless mani that lasts up to 10 days. Good-for-you ingredients like bamboo extract, vitamins, diamond powder, and UV absorbers promote longer, stronger nails that resist chips. Plus, each full-coverage shade glides on smoothly with its dense, curved brush. ($18, Shop)

Zoya Nail Lacquers

Zoya Nail Lacquers

A bigwig with professionals and a backstage veteran at New York Fashion Week, ZOYA gets two rounds of applause: one for making their polishes vegan-friendly and 10-free (removing the big offenders, plus camphor, xylene, and lead); the other, for their repertoire of over 300 haute colors. Making health-conscious beauty choices is always in style, so we’ll unapologetically invest in a few bottles! ($9; Shop)

Honeybee Gardens Watercolors Nail Enamel

Honeybee Gardens Watercolors Nail Enamel

This unsung brand takes “clean” to a whole new level. Honeybee Gardens’ non-toxic polishes are gluten-free and water-based—meaning, no more nasty chemical odors permeating your bedroom! Unlike solvent-based formulas, this earth-friendly polish actually removes with rubbing alcohol or vodka instead of acetone. When first applied, it requires a slightly longer dry time (4-to-6 hours); but once the color cures, you’ll enjoy a long-lasting, scratch-free, healthy manicure. ($9.74; Shop)

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color

Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Nail Color

We appreciate how long gel manicures last, but they can really destroy your nails. Nail guru Deborah Lippmann created a 7-free formula that delivers the best of both worlds: the long-lasting wear, shine, and cushioned look of a gel mani without the damage. Ten active ingredients including biotin, evening primrose, green tea extract, platinum powder, and silk fibers seal the deal for a decadent, glossy mani with fortifying benefits. Loving the rose gold trend? Try the shade Stargasm. ($18; Shop)

Dr. Dana 9-Free Nail Color

Dr. Dana 9-Free Nail Color

Expertly formulated by a dermatologist and nail specialist, this 9-free polish blends nourishing antioxidants and essential oils to strengthen nails and deliver a salon-quality mani-pedi. Plus, each gorgeous color is created with and named for an inspirational woman whose nail health and beauty is paramount to her career, with proceeds being donated to her charity of choice; this full-coverage nude, Gayle, is for Gayle King. ($18; Shop)

Ella + Mila Nail Polish

Ella + Mila Nail Polish

This line of 7-free non-toxic lacquer features a wide range of hues—from barely-there pinks to all-out sparkles—and each one is vegan and certified by PETA (our editors and furry friends approve!). The formula is chip-resistant and dries lightning fast—perfect for those of us who always manage to ding a fresh coat of polish. Another perk: the kitschy bottles double as vanity décor. ($7; Shop)

NCLA Nail Lacquer

NCLA Nail Lacquer

Treat your tips to an indulgent manicure that you and your nail beds can both feel good about. NCLA is a luxury brand designed to deliver utmost shine and decadent color, and it’s also non-toxic and 7-free, 100% vegan, and animal friendly. In the heat of the summer, we’re all about Acapulco Gold—a creamy mint green. ($16; Shop)

Acquarella Nail Polish

Acquarella Nail Polish

Another water-based alternative, Acquarella is void of the bad stuff—aka, no formaldehyde, toluene, parabens, mercury, gluten, or smelly hydrocarbons. Plus, each of the 70 voguish hues utilizes non-toxic colorants formulated with iron oxide pigments. It’s thinner than traditional polish (it’s designed that way), but rest assured, your breathable manicure will still reap saturated color and gorgeous shine. ($16; Shop)

RMS Beauty Nail Polish

RMS Beauty Nail Polish

Inspired by the brand’s ten most iconic shades, this line of richly pigmented polish is as clean as it gets—the formula is 10-free, vegan, completely without gluten, petrochemicals and GMO byproducts, and cruely-free. The no-streak application and professional finish will make you smile—which is also the name of this lush coral color. ($15; Shop)

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