If you’re a fan of painted nails, you’re not alone. Why not try some of the vegan nail polish brands available in your area? Many of us love getting that French manicure. Unfortunately, the nail polish industry is not as eco-friendly as we’d like it to be. What appears to be “harmless” beauty products can actually cause harm to the environment with their toxic chemicals.
Ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) are commonly found in many nail polishes and can negatively affect our health and the environment. Add their plastic packaging to the mix, and it’s another problem to consider.
It’s time to rethink our love for nail polish and find sustainable alternatives that are safe for the planet. With growing consumer awareness, more brands are creating a more sustainable option. Their nail polishes range from chemical-free, cruelty-free, and even packaged in eco-friendly materials.
In this feature, we will look at some of the top vegan nail polish brands paving the way for a greener approach to nail care.
Eight toxic-free vegan nail polish brands around the world to discover
#1 Kester Black
Country: New Zealand
Price: $14 to $16 per bottle
While most vegan nail polish brands are from the US, Kester Black stands out as a New Zealand-based brand that produces vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically-made nail polish products. The brand’s nail polish formula is free from common toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, and camphor.
#2 Zoya Cosmetics
Country: USA
Price: $9 to $10 per bottle
Zoya Cosmetics is a nail polish brand based in the US that offers various colours, textures, and finishes while keeping its values vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and free from toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, camphor, and resin. The company uses recyclable materials for its packaging and promotes proper disposal of old or unused nail polish bottles through its nail polish exchange program, reducing waste in landfills. Extending its commitment beyond products and packaging, the company also reduces its carbon footprint by using renewable energy in manufacturing and working with suppliers prioritising sustainable practices.
#3 By-K
Country: Denmark
Price: $12 to $15 per bottle
Founded in 2012 by business partners and currently managed by Karina (the “K” in “By-K”), this line of polishes was created with the goal of providing a premium, health-conscious, and cruelty-free option to consumers. The brand’s polishes are free from harmful chemicals like parabens, camphor, toluene, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde resin.
#4 Nami Natural
Country: UK
Price: $10 to $12 per bottle
Developed in the UK, Nami is a beauty brand that is committed to making its products better for the planet and its customers. The brand has identified alternative ingredients that are eco-friendly and sustainable and has ensured that its nail polishes are free from harmful chemicals. Moreover, all of the brand’s nail polishes are vegan, cruelty-free, and odour-free.
#5 Nailberry
Country: UK
Price: $12 to $18 per bottle
Sonia Hully founded Nami back in 2012 as a luxury Nail Bar located in Chelsea, London. Over time, the brand evolved into a range of premium polishes that are cruelty-free, gluten-free, halal, and vegan.
This means that the brand’s formula is free from harmful chemicals like Phthalates, DBP, Toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, xylene ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate, alcohol, parabens, as well as animal derivatives and gluten.
Nami said it is committed to providing eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives in its products for the betterment of the planet and its customers.
#6 Zao
Country: France
Price: $12 to $18 per bottle
Zao Make-Up is a make-up brand owned by Cosm’Etika France. It was founded in 2012 by four close friends – David Reccole, Philippe Donnat, Yvan Rouvier and Salima Macozzi Reccole.
The brand takes inspiration from plants, and its nail polish formula is made up of around 65.5 per cent to 99 per cent* ingredients that are sourced from natural origins such as corn, potatoes, manioc and wheat.
#7 Andizumo
Country: Japan
Price: $15 to $18 per bottle
Andizumo is a nail polish brand inspired by mother nature and the traditions of Izumo City in Shimane Prefecture. It values sustainability and local ingredients. As it also features ingredients safe for users, the main ingredient is water and contains no solvent. The brand promotes vegan nail polish that does not use animal-derived products.
Users can remove the nail polish with warm water by soaking the nails for a few minutes and peeling them off. The Japanese brand mainly offers neutral colour polishes, considered appropriate for the office environment there.
#8 Priti NYC
Country: USA
Price: $15 to $18 per bottle.
Priti NYC is a brand that produces non-toxic, vegan, and cruelty-free nail polish products. Its nail polish formula is free from harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP, commonly found in traditional nail polish.
Final thoughts
Ultimately, we can’t ignore traditional nail polish’s negative environmental impact. The industry leaves a significant ecological footprint with toxic chemicals and non-recyclable packaging. Luckily, there’s a growing demand for vegan and eco-friendly nail polishes that provide safer and more sustainable options. By choosing to support these brands, we not only protect our health but also contribute to protecting the planet. Let’s paint our nails with eco-friendly colours and embrace a greener approach to nail care!
