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During pregnancy your body goes through many changes, seen and unseen. It can be hard to go through so many ups and downs. To feel more normal and to pamper yourself in pregnancy you may get a mani or pedi. While wanting to treat yourself, you may be curious if nail polish is safe during pregnancy. Many “normal things” you could do pre-pregnancy often come with caution tape now. Is the same true for a simple mani? Let’s find out in this article which products on today’s market are the best safe nail polish for pregnant moms!
Key Takeaways:
- There are toxic ingredients in regular nail polish that can pose potential risks to your unborn baby.
- Pregnant moms have options to choose safer products without sacrificing great looking nails
- You don’t have to now do your own nails, but use our tips to find a salon that decreases potential risks.
Table of Contents
Is Nail Polish Safe During Pregnancy?
In pregnancy you encounter so many changes. Your sense of smell is heightened or nausea sets in (check out or article on the best popsicles to combat pregnancy nausea). Your nails may even grow faster and thicker than before, or they may become more brittle. No matter which symptom, how many of us have heard that we need to head to a salon or treat ourselves before labor with a manicure.
Well, in recent years women have looked closely at the ingredient list in nail polishes and nail polish removers to find the use of formaldehyde, toluene, bisphenol A (BPA), and other phthalates. Which can negatively affect your health especially in large doses over time. Before this article I didn’t even realize this was a thing!
So Should you be Using Nail Polishes during Pregnancy?
According to the National Poison Control, though formaldehyde, toluene, and plasticizers are associated with potentially dangerous health effects, with nail polish there is low-level exposures and lack of association to significant health effects.
They also state that fetal exposure is much lower than maternal exposure, making fetal toxicity much less likely.
However, pregnant women who work in nail salons have more long-term exposure to chemicals over the duration of their pregnancy, and may be more at risk for harmful fetal effects.
Long story short they say there is no evidence that any particular nail polish or brand is unsafe to use occasionally during pregnancy, so pregnant women are able to safely use any nail polish that is currently available, whether or not it is labeled as being “free” of certain ingredients.
Despite the reassurances, they doesn’t say anything about gel manicures, powders, or acrylics. And knowing that formaldehyde or resin of formaldehyde is a possibility on my nails and thus absorbed through my nail bed, makes me wonder if there are safer options on the market. The good news is that there are better safe nail polish options available with less harsh chemicals and harmful ingredients!
How Do You Choose The Right Nail Polish?
Choosing the right nail polish is up to you, your preferences, and the way you feel when your nails are done. Perhaps you’re in the camp of no UV rays at all, so no gel polishes. Or feeling like it’s too much of a risk of infection with acrylics. Whether you want to keep up your pre-pregnancy routine as your body is changing or try something different, you get to choose what you use and what you feel safe with. If you are uneasy about any level of exposure, no worries. All natural nails are great looking too!
What Ingredients To Look Out For:
If you are still uneasy with some of the toxic chemicals used in traditional nail polish, the good news is quite a few brands have moved away from what are known as the “toxic three” (dibutyl phthalate or DBP, formaldehyde and toluene). You may find salons, nail polishes, or websites stating this as 3-free. This is a great place to start. You can also look for other designations as well, such as the following:
- 3-free: No formaldehyde, toluene, or dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- 5-free: No formaldehyde, toluene, or DBP, as well as no formaldehyde resin or camphor
- 7-free: No formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, or xylene
- 10-free: No formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, or animal ingredients
- Vegan: No animal ingredients or testing on animals.
- Cruelty-free: Polish bottles with this label were not manufactured or developed using animal testing.
- Natural or plant-based: These polishes are made with natural ingredients (this can often include the polish brush).
Looking for other non-toxic changes you could make, check out our article
What Do You Need To Know If You Are Going to a Nail Salon While Pregnant?
When going to a nail salon while pregnant, you may want to check a few things out. For example acrylic nails sometimes use methyl methacrylate as a bonding agent. This chemical can cause drowsiness and lightheadedness, and prolonged exposure may cause skin irritation. There may only be a small amount in the bonding agent, but researchers have not thoroughly tested the effects in pregnant women. For the time being it may just be safer to avoid it.
Due to heightened sense of smell with pregnancy, pregnant women may become more nauseous, dizzy or get a headache due to the smells in a salon, if it is not well ventilated. Getting a breath of fresh air outside is a great way to take a break and offset the scents, or make sure there is an open window for good ventilation.
Other nail salon tips include:
- Looking for a well-ventilated salon if possible
- Check that your nail technician has a license of certification
- Make sure your nail technician is wearing new gloves
- Ask that your cuticles (the little white part of skin on your nails) be pushed back rather than cut to avoid the introduction of bacteria or fungus to your bloodstream. As pregnancy makes you more susceptible to infections
- Ensure that cutters or other metal tools are properly sanitized in an autoclave (a heat sterilizer machine) and make sure that any non metal tools used by your nail technician are brand new. Or just bring your own
- If you are going to do a pedicure, either make sure that your foot station has just been sterilized or opt for a portable tub
How We Chose Our Pregnancy Safe Nail Polishes
When looking into a wide range of nail polishes, we are sharing polishes that have been tried and tested by others, vetted by other agencies, and have, at minimum, absence of the toxic trio (are a 3-free formula).
Top 10 Non-Toxic Nail Polishes
JINsoon
is a vegan and 10-free nail polish formula. It is a quality product with lasting wear up to a week before chipping!
Pros:
- Comes in 92 colors and shades to choose from
- Extended shelf life
Cons:
- it is on the expensive side
Ella + Mila
17-free, vegan, and animal cruelty free! This brand is a great one, with fun quirky names and a Mommy and Me set that comes with a big bottle for mom and a matching little bottle for your kiddo. This is such a fun company to support.
Pros:
- Quick-dry
- Long lasting
- Doesn’t chip easily
- They have their own brand of nail polish remover that is soy based
Cons:
- You will need at least two coats of polish for a perfect finish
Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nail Lacquer
This 10-free formula is a luxuriant feeling and comes in all kinds of shades. This company also aims for vegan as much as they can, but is 100% cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Variety of colors
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Gel like finish
Cons:
- 2 coats for it to really shine
- Did seem to chip after a few days, but paired with a topcoat it should be OK
- More expensive than other products
Sally Hansen. Good. Kind. Pure.
If you’ve been waiting for a possible drug store brand that is clean and affordable, you’ll be happy to hear that Sally Hansen nail polish is doing it with the Good. Kind. Pure line. Not only is it vegan, but also boasts a 16-free formula in 65 shades.
Pros:
- Plant based brush
- So many options to choose from
- Affordable
Cons:
- Will need a few coats to get the look you may be going for
Zoya Nail Polish
Affordable while still being vegan and 8-free, this is a big player in the nail polish world with good reason. Zoya’s color options come in hundreds to choose from. If you’re looking for a particular color the odds are, Zoya has it.
Pros:
- Hundreds of colors to choose from
- Vegan and non-toxic
- Affordable
Cons:
- More frequently chips than other options
Nailtopia
This brand goes above non-toxic. They go so far as to use veggie-based ingredients to replace plasticizers. Cruelty-free, vegan, and 20-free.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Infused with argan oil, vitamin B, and vitamin C. Nails felt “healthier” after use.
Cons:
- May chip after a few days.
Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color
If you’re looking for a salon quality gel-like finish without the UV light or other special tools, this nail polis will do that for you. While being vegan cruelty free and 10-free, there are so many fun options available. However, it is more expensive than others we’ve listed. If you are wanting 21-free options, they are available on their direct website.
Pros:
- No curing light or other tools needed
- 10 free
- Long lasting
Cons:
- One of our most expensive recommendations
TenoverTen
This is a great option that is an 8-free nail polish formula and this is a perfect middle match for me. With plenty of color options for modern or classic, that aren’t super cheap or super expensive. These colors will stay vibrant for a few days.
Pros:
- Great middle ground product
- Vegan and cruelty free
Cons:
- Not as long lasting as other nail polishes
Pear Nova Classic Nail Lacquer
The classic lacquers give the appearance of a professional mani or pedi. This formula is 10-free, vegan, and cruelty free and will be a great asset to your nail game. Fitting in on the higher middle ground cost area.
Pros:
- High sheen and lacquer
- Fast drying
- Long lasting
Cons:
- Getting to the pricier spectrum
10 Free Life
According to their website these nail polishes are 22-free from harmful chemicals, 100% vegan cruelty free with the leaping bunny guarantee. Gorgeous colors and a guarantee that it will last for 10 days is a tall order, but they are pretty amazing.
Pros:
- 10 days of wear
- Biopeptide-infused formula for stronger nails
Cons:
- Mid level range for price
Olive & June
15 free and long lasting Olive and June is a stunning option. It has the durability and plumpness of gel nails without the lamp or extra steps. It’s vegan and cruelty-free as a bonus. Lasting much longer than your typical polish and can easily be removed with any nail polish remover.
Pros:
- Long Lasting
- Professional gel like finish
- Easily off
Cons:
- Occasionally some delays in shipping
Àuda.B Vegan Nail Polish
This is another great gel like formula that is 21-free, cruelty free, and vegan. with two coats and a top coat you can have a long lasting finish that should last 7-10 days without having to reapply.
Pros:
- Cruelty free, vegan, 21-free
- Colors and finish give off a more glamorous look
Cons:
- Expensive
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re trying to make a shift into less chemicals, or if you simply want the reassurance that you’re using safe nail polish, I hope this article gets you excited about the changes that have already occurred in the nail industry. There are great options available out there that will leave your nails looking fabulous at any trimester or stage of life you are in.
Niki Cowan has a background in Medicine and Public Health. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist as well as a Medical Assistant. She’s passionate about Women’s Health and empowering women in their journeys. She is married to her wonderful husband Kevin, and they have an active son. While trying to have another little one hasn’t worked out yet, she is pursuing her passions and hoping to gain further education and experience in the area she loves, while playing with her son. She’s an avid reader, Original Great British Baking Show watcher, and very amateur kickboxer.
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