9 Best Non-Toxic Nail Polishes for a Healthy Manicure

We selected these products based on expert advice, extensive research and top reviews. The Good Housekeeping Institute's Beauty Lab is constantly testing the newest nail and makeup products, including hand creams, nail polishes and more, and our beauty pros shared their favorite picks for natural nail polishes based on years of industry experience and product testing.

After we gathered the top picks, GH Institute Beauty Lab's Senior Chemist, Sabina Wizemann, combed through the selections to ensure they are each formulated without potentially harmful ingredients, so the included nail polish brands have been vetted not only for performance, but safety as well.

"Products are crossing off 'toxic' ingredients from formulas at rapid speed, and some brands offer vegan and gluten-free options," says Wizemann. Many "non-toxic" polishes are 3-free, which means they're formulated without formaldehyde, toluene and Dibutyl phthalate. Here's why:

• Formaldehyde, an intense smelling and colorless gas, typically used as a nail hardener in nail polishes, has been linked to some types of cancer, including leukemia, in humans when exposed in high amounts, according to the American Cancer Society. Though formaldehyde does occur naturally in the environment and is present in small amounts in most living organisms, it is recognized as a carcinogen by International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as well as by the Department of Health and Human Services.
• Toluene is a colorless, sweet-smelling industrial solvent that temporarily affects the nervous system and can cause strong eye and nose irritation as well as dizziness and fatigue when inhaled, according to the EPA. It is not characterized as a carcinogen, but is a teratogen, an agent that can disturb the development of the embryo or fetus after prolonged exposure.
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is commonly used as a plasticizer to promote material flexibility and reduce brittleness, and it can cause irritations, headaches and dizziness when inhaled.

Beyond that, polishes go as far as being 10-, 14- or even 16-free. Here's the breakdown of what's missing (thankfully!) from those formulas:

• 5-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor.
• 7-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene.
• 9-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, acetone.
• 10-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, acetone, TPHP, TBHP and/or gluten.
• 14-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, TPHP, gluten, MEHQ/HQ, MIT, palm oil, animal-derived ingredients.
• 16-free contains no formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide, xylene, parabens, acetone, TPHP, animal-derived ingredients, bisphenol A (BPA), sulfates, e-series glycol ethers, benzophenone 1, 2, nonylphenol ethoxylate.
• "Water-based formulas incorporate non-synthetic pigments and aqueous acrylic polymers, plus they are also odorless," says Wizemann. Though easy to apply, they are often not as long-lasting.

"The safest and healthiest type of nail polish to use is often referred to as “5-free,” “7-free,” or even “10-free” nail polish," says Dr. Garshick. As mentioned above, "these labels indicate that the polish is free from a certain number of potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in traditional nail polishes."

While there are concerns regarding certain ingredients and chemicals in different nail polishes, she feels that more evidence is needed to fully understand how much of these chemicals get absorbed through routine manicure use and the actual clinical implications of this on your health. "That said, more brands have developed products that range from 3-free to 16-free, eliminating certain chemicals but not compromising on quality," Dr. Garshick says. If you have any worries about safety, there are now plenty of brands that have eliminated potentially concerning ingredients.

Some nail polishes are formulated to be good for your nails by including nourishing ingredients. "These polishes often contain vitamins, minerals and strengthening agents that promote nail health while providing color," says Dr. Garshick. "For example, nail polishes enriched with ingredients like biotin, keratin, argan oil and vitamin E can help strengthen and nourish your nails, reducing brittleness and promoting growth."

She is a fan of Essie’s Good as New Nail Perfector, which contains ceramides, helping to even color and texture, improving the look of damaged nails while also leaving behind a sheer pink, demi-matte finish. Ten Over Ten, one of our picks mentioned above, is another example that incorporates essential oils, vitamin E and aloe to help nourish the nails, while also providing a variety of colors.

Sabina Wizemann has coordinated makeup and nail product tests by collaborating with professional makeup and nail artists, lab testing and performing large consumer studies. She has tested and assessed makeup foundations, concealers, mascaras, liquid lipsticks and tinted moisturizers during her tenure as a senior chemist at Good Housekeeping.

Beauty writer Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing nail stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including nail artists, technicians and dermatologists. She is an expert in all nail product categories, including nail color, nail treatments, nail art, professional services and more.

Paige Stables also contributed to this article; she was a former Assistant Beauty Editor at Good Housekeeping, where she regularly covered beauty products, including nail colors, tools and care.