You’ve probably heard people talking about 5-free nail polish. But what is it and why should I be looking for it?

There are five really nasty chemicals that are used in the majority of nail polishes. Here is a list of what they are, what they do and what the health implications are: –

Toluene

Toluene is made from petroleum or coal tar. It helps to give nail polish a smooth finish but chronic exposure has been linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and may affect a developing foetus.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is used in nail polish as a hardener and preservative. It might sound familiar as it is the same substance they use to preserve dead bodies. It is a known skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, and carcinogen (formaldehyde exposure has been associated with leukemia specifically).

Formaldehyde resin

Formaldehyde resin: Although formaldehyde resin hasn’t been linked to cancer like regular formaldehyde, it’s a skin allergen known to cause dermatitis. It can also off-gas formaldehyde and may contain residual levels of formaldehyde.

Camphor

Camphor is a scented substance derived from the wood of the camphor tree. It can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches when inhaled, especially in large doses, making it a concern for nail technicians.

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP) is used in nail polish to increases flexibility and shine.
DBP is known to cause lifelong reproductive impairments in male rats, and has been shown to damage the testes, prostate gland, epididymis, penis, and seminal vesicles in animals.Research by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that all 289 people tested had DBP in their bodies.

At Earth and Skin, we only use Bio Sculpture Five-free products on your nails.

You can also find Bio Sculpture Nail polishes on our retail shelves for you to use at home.