Nail polish - is there a 100% pure alternative?

Nail polish is a miracle weapon: in the blink of an eye, colour can make us look more elegant or fashionable and can really make an outfit stand out! The effect of colour on us is also huge, because even if we don't consciously perceive the colour, it still has an effect on us and can lift our mood, calm us down or have a balancing effect.

It is often unclear whether nail varnish is really safe. Intensive research has revealed the following:

Nails also absorb

For some inexplicable reason, we are led to believe that nails are not absorbent because they are "made of dead cells". This is not true: anyone who has ever noticed how soft their nails are after a long bath and who has ever had dark spots on their nails from the dark red that we all had to have and wear and idolise knows this already. Yes, nails can absorb up to 25% of their own weight in water, and so can any substances - toxic or non-toxic - contained in nail polish. 

Ingredients

The most toxic ingredient in nail polish is formaldehyde. Formaldehyde has been linked several times to nasal cancer and leukaemia. In the EU, formaldehyde has been strictly limited and classified as a known human carcinogen.

Another false friend is DBP (a phthalate). DBP has also been banned in Europe, as it has been proven that DBP can be detected in the bloodstream via the nails and in breast milk via the vapours of the varnish, causing underdevelopment of male genitalia in foetuses and babies.
Another old acquaintance is acetone. Acetone has been proven to irritate the skin and is often contaminated with formaldehyde in particular. Wait, hasn't formaldehyde been officially banned by the EU?

Yes, it did, and here's where it gets complicated: even if a brand decides to stop using a toxic substance or two, we don't know what substance they're using instead and how it can affect our bodies.

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Is there any natural, non-toxic nail polish?  

Fortunately, there are less toxic alternatives for those who can't do without nail polish. However, it is important to remember that until Mother Nature invents nail polish, there will be no absolutely natural and chemical-free alternative. Many brands are endeavouring to stop using toxic substances in their formulations. This means that although there are fewer toxic nail polishes, there is no absolutely natural and non-toxic nail polish.

It is therefore particularly important to ensure that nail polish is at least 3-free and preferably 5- or 6-free. This means that this particular nail polish does not contain the most toxic 3, 5 or 6 ingredients. And here finally comes the good news: there are great nail polish brands that are 3-, 4-, 5- or even 6-free! These include Benecos (4-free), for example, as well as the most popular nail polish brands Chanel, Dior, Esté Lauder, Catrice, Dashing Diva, Essence, Nubar, Deborah Lipman, Santé, USLU (5-free).

What now?

If you rarely wear nail polish should simply find a formulation that is as toxin-free as possible and have fun. We are surrounded by so many toxins every day, these can be reduced by eating healthily and making small changes - and wearing nail polish every now and then is something everyone who chooses to do so can enjoy!

If you wear nail polish regularly - has a problem. In any case, you should switch to the most non-toxic colours. Then you have to consider whether it is really necessary to have perfectly painted fingers and toes day and night, summer and winter. Nobody can forbid you to do this, but remember that nail polish is not non-toxic and your body absorbs it. Voluntarily exposing yourself to so many toxins is simply not the best idea.

Who is pregnant should consider going without nail polish, at least during pregnancy. Numerous studies have shown the alarming effects of nail polish and its vapours (even in the foetus and breast milk!). It's simply not good for the baby - and that's what it's all about at the moment. There will still be plenty of time after pregnancy to apply varnish! And who knows, maybe there will be non-toxic formulations by then!

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photo credit: http://pinterest.com
Parts of this article first appeared on www.thetwist.ch, the predecessor of Biomazing.