Is Nail Polish Toxic? The Hidden Cost of “Polished” Hands

Reading Time: 15 minutes

My Story

For years I never stopped to ask: is nail polish toxic?

I assumed that if it was sold everywhere and worn by everyone, it must be safe. Only later did I start looking more closely at what was actually in those attractive, tiny bottles.

This post has been a long time coming. It’s been around 10 years since I last painted my nails, and the reasons I stopped were compelling enough to make even the most devoted manicure fan pause.

I’ve hesitated to publish this because I know how deeply ingrained this “little beauty ritual” is. And as humans, we cling fiercely to habits, even the ones harming us.

But recently, it’s felt necessary to speak on it, so here I am.

After getting into my story, this article expands on information from dermatology literature, occupational health guidance, and regulatory documents from EU and CDC sources.

Growing Up Conditioned

I grew up in northern England in the 90s, a time saturated with cheap cosmetics, sensational tabloids, and relentless messaging aimed at impressionable teenage girls.

Come to think about it, not much has changed for the next generations, really.

Like most young girls wanting to blend in, I participated despite my mother’s objections. I bought the products and followed the trends.

If it wasn’t press-on or glued synthetic nails then I painted my natural nails weekly; French tips or nude for school, something brighter for my toes. Weekends meant free reign for all the wildest colours. Then I’d either rip them off or strip the polish off with pure acetone and start again.

Despite genetics that give me naturally strong nails that grow long quickly, I even experimented with DIY acrylic kits at one point. Not because I needed them but because it was fashionable. Because it felt creative. Because that’s what girls do, right? … Cringe.

Regardless of the technique, the cycle of applying and stripping chemicals in a bid to “be beautiful” became normal.

When It Became “Content”

Once at university, beauty blogging was exploding. Tumblr, nail art blogs, early internet and digital culture was taking root. Social media was born and smartphones were to follow. It was the beginning of hyper-visual self-presentation.

I started my own nail blog and made it my mission to create regular content. Instead of weekly manicures, I was removing and repainting every couple of days. At first I loved the creative outlet, but I wasn’t able to keep it up for long.

That’s when my body began responding.

My fingers became raw and sensitive from constant acetone exposure. Tiny red sores erupted around my nails. The skin stung. Photographs became impossible. My hands, the subject of my content, no longer looked healthy.

It sounds absurd that it took me over 22 years to realise the body is a living, responsive organism. But most of us move through life detached from the physical consequences of our habits. That is until the consequences become unavoidable and undeniable.

Before the blog went anywhere remarkable, I stopped. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to wake me up though; I didn’t fully stop painting my nails. I just reduced the cadence of applications.

Anyone trying to make changes in their lives knows how old identities tend to linger.

The Gel Manicure Phase

After university, I moved to London. Gel manicures were everywhere: long-lasting, glossy, “low maintenance.” Affordable salons were on every high street.

I became a regular.

Every two weeks my nails were filed down with electric drills, coated in chemicals, and cured under UV lamps. At the time, it felt normal. Even indulgent. Like a well-deserved treat.

What I didn’t think about back then was the wider structure behind that convenience. Many of the salons I visited were staffed by migrant workers which allowed them to keep costs low.

I later learned that many nail technicians are often underpaid and exposed to the same chemical environment all day long in poorly ventilated spaces; inhaling fumes, handling solvents, breathing dust from filed acrylic and gels.

Occupational safety recommendations exist, but enforcement varies, especially in small independent salons. The low cost I enjoyed came at someone else’s expense.

Another industry that thrives on programmed insecurity and invisible labour.

Looking back, and without the knowledge I have now, it’s easy to sit being pampered for 45 minutes and never question who is absorbing the hidden cost — chemically or economically.

And still, despite previously having experienced reactions myself, I continued.

It’s remarkable how easily we override our own past experiences when something is repackaged as an upgrade.

When My Body Started Screaming

Then the reactions escalated. They became impossible to ignore.

Rashes. Irritation. Flare-ups on my scalp, face, arms, legs. I was repeatedly told it was just eczema. Benign contact dermatitis. I was prescribed steroid creams that thinned my skin and treated symptoms without asking why they were appearing in the first place.

What I didn’t understand at the time was that solvents like nail varnish remover don’t just remove polish, they also strip the natural oils that protect the skin. Repeated exposure can leave the barrier weakened, drier, and more reactive. Once that protective layer is compromised, irritation becomes easier to trigger and harder to calm.

Eventually I decided to investigate instead of suppress.

I started overhauling my shampoos and cosmetics. Learned to read ingredient lists. Stopped trusting labels like “organic,” “vegan“, “natural,” or “dermatologically tested.” And I discovered how marketing language manipulates perception.

This was before widespread cosmetic transparency, before barcode scanning apps, before ingredient awareness became mainstream. Research meant manually looking up compounds one by one.

What shocked me wasn’t just what was in cheap products, it was how similar many formulas were across price points, even the “luxury“ and “natural” brands.

Still, despite learning all this and making many changes to my beauty routine, I still continued painting my nails for years.

Probably because I didn’t think that much about total toxic exposure yet. Also, I believed what most people believe: that nails are dead, inert tissue. That nothing is absorbed through them. And that if a product is available and everyone else is doing it, it mustn’t be that bad.

Those beliefs are convenient, especially for industry.

The Final Break

Eventually, after so much research I stopped participating in the beauty industry entirely. My trust and desire to conform was completely eroded.

I threw it all away. I no longer paint my nails and no longer wear makeup. Now, I read ingredient lists carefully and choose far fewer products overall. Generally speaking, if I cannot eat it, then I am reluctant to use it on my body.

Do I sometimes feel the pull to participate? Yes. Painted nails can look beautiful. There’s a social normality around it. Women are targeted endlessly and it creates a subtle fear of missing out or being perceived “badly”.

But I remember the sores. The rashes. The medical dismissals. The endless cycle of application and damage. I’ve learned also of the hidden costs of participating; the potential neurotoxins, endocrine interference and the reproductive harm associated with some ingredients. Not just from one product, but thousands of micro-exposures that all accumulate over time.

And when you know all of that, the desire fades.

More importantly, my interests have shifted. I’ve taken up gardening. I cook whole food meals from scratch and bake bread. I use my hands and practice self-massage. Long, polished nails don’t align with the way I live now. They interfere with function, hygiene, and sensation.

I no longer see my hands as aesthetic objects to please the gaze of others.
They are useful and loving tools.
They are living sensory organs that are worth treating with reverence and respect.
And that doesn’t mean slathering them in chemicals, at home or at the salon.
For me, that means reducing the toxic load however possible.
Going bare and natural has become the norm.

I’d love to see the mass normalisation of bare nails, bare faces and respect for our natural appearances instead of the actual ubiquity of cosmetic procedures and body modification.

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Is Nail Polish Toxic? What’s Actually in Nail Varnish

The “Toxic Trio” and Their Replacements

Traditional nail polishes historically contained what became known as the “toxic trio”. So when people ask, “is nail polish toxic?”, they’re often referring to these historical ingredients:

Many brands now market themselves as “3-free,” “5-free,” or even “10-free.”

This often means these specific compounds were removed but not that the formula is inert. Substitutes can include chemically related solvents or plasticisers with less long-term safety data. Regulation often follows patterns of real-world harm after it happens rather than predicting it and removing the danger in advance.

“Free-from” is a marketing category, not a safety guarantee.

In addition, some nail products don’t contain straight formaldehyde but instead use formaldehyde-releasing resins or preservatives, such as:

• Tosylamide/formaldehyde resin (commonly used to improve polish durability)
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives like DMDM hydantoin or quaternium-15

These compounds release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. While permitted at regulated levels in certain cosmetic categories, they can trigger allergic contact dermatitis in sensitised individuals.

Source:
Formaldehyde releaser. Wikipedia. Retrieved 17 February 2026
Chou M, et al. (2017). Contact sensitization to allergens in nail cosmetics. Dermatitis.

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Endocrine Disruption: The Subtle Concern

Certain ingredients used in nail products have been studied for endocrine-disrupting potential, including:

• Some phthalates
• Benzophenone-type UV stabilisers
• Certain plasticisers
• Synthetic fragrance components

Endocrine disruptors do not behave like acute poisons. They interfere with hormone signalling, sometimes at low doses, and effects may depend on cumulative exposure.

Source:
Endocrine Society – What Are Endocrine Disruptors?

For an occasional manicure, exposure is likely low. But modern exposure is cumulative; from plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, air pollution, and household products combined.

Hormonal systems respond to total burden accumulated over time.

“Nails Are Dead”: The Absorption Myth

It’s true that the nail plate itself is made of keratinised cells.

However:

• The nail plate is porous
• The nail bed and matrix are living tissue
• Solvents increase permeability
• Mechanical abrasion (buffing, drilling) increases penetration

Studies on transungual drug delivery confirm that substances can penetrate the nail plate, particularly when solvents are used.

Sources:
Murdan S. (2002). Drug delivery to the nail following topical application. International Journal of Pharmaceutics.
Walters KA et al. (1983). The human nail as a barrier to drug penetration.

Absorption through nails is slower than through skin but not zero.

Factors that increase permeability:

• Buffing the nail plate
• Gel polish preparation
• Repeated acetone soaking
• Damaged cuticles

With long-term, repeated use, particularly when the nail is mechanically thinned, the likelihood of substances entering the body increases.

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Gel Manicures: A Different Exposure Profile

Gel systems introduce additional concerns.

UVA / LED curing lamps

Most gel lamps emit predominantly UVA radiation, which penetrates deeper into the skin than UVB and contributes to photoaging and oxidative damage according to regulating bodies.

Sources:
O’Sullivan N.A. et al. (2014). Tanning bed and nail lamp use and the risk of cutaneous malignancy: a review of the literature. The Australasian College of Dermatologists.

Current research suggests occasional use carries low risk — but frequent, long-term exposure remains under-studied.

Methacrylates

Acrylate and methacrylate monomers used in gel systems are well-known allergens. Dermatologists have documented increasing cases of allergic contact dermatitis, particularly among nail technicians and frequent gel users.

In some cases, the allergy doesn’t stay confined to the salon. Methacrylate sensitisation can cross-react with dental materials and certain medical adhesives, which makes it more than just a cosmetic inconvenience.

As gel manicures surged in popularity, due to social media and especially with the rise of at-home kits, reports of sensitisation increased too. In response, the EU has restricted certain methacrylate ingredients in recent years.

Unfortunately, sensitisation can become permanent and lifelong once established.

Sources:
Ngan V. (2012) Allergy to acrylates. DermNet
CDC/ NIOSH guidance document (MMA/EMA, dermatitis/asthma/allergies)

Removal process

Removal often involves longer, occlusive (foil-wrapped/pressing devices) solvent soaking, followed by scraping or drilling to lift the product away. Over time, this can thin the nail plate. Repeated abrasion gradually weakens the nail’s natural barrier, making it more vulnerable to irritation and damage.

Gel isn’t automatically “worse” but it increases intensity and frequency of chemical and mechanical stress. Especially for those getting them done regularly.

Acrylic Nails: Stronger Chemistry, Similar Risks

Before gel systems became mainstream, acrylic nails were the dominant enhancement method, and many salons still offer them today.

Acrylic systems are formed by mixing a liquid monomer, typically ethyl methacrylate (EMA), with a polymer powder. This reaction creates a hard plastic overlay on the natural nail.

The primary health concern associated with acrylic systems is allergic sensitisation, particularly among frequent users and nail technicians. Uncured methacrylate monomers are well-documented allergens. With repeated exposure, they can trigger allergic contact dermatitis, swelling or blistering around the nail folds, and nail lifting (onycholysis).

Once sensitisation develops, it can be long-lasting and may cross-react with related materials used in dentistry or certain medical adhesives, which are probably more vital than nail aesthetics.

Acrylic application and removal also involve strong vapours during curing, heavy buffing before application, and mechanical filing or prolonged soaking during removal. Over time, this combination increases inhalation exposure and contributes to thinning of the nail plate.

Acrylic systems are not inherently “worse” than gel in every respect, but they tend to involve more intense monomer exposure and significant mechanical stress.

Source:
DermNet NZ — Allergy to acrylates

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Respiratory Exposure: The Invisible Layer

Nail salons contain measurable levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including:

• Solvents: Acetone / Ethyl acetate / Butyl acetate
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Formaldehyde (in some systems)

Occupational studies show higher rates of:

• Respiratory irritation
• Headaches
• Asthma symptoms
• Contact dermatitis

among nail technicians and regular users compared to general populations.

Sources:
CDC/NIOSH Nail Technicians – Workplace Safety and Health

For occasional customers, exposure is somewhat brief.
This is obviously augmented the more one visits the salon for a regular mani-pedi.
For workers unfortunately, it is constant across their lifetime.

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Nail Polish Removers: The Overlooked Exposure

Removal is often more chemically intense than application.

Acetone dissolves nail polish and enhancements efficiently, but it also temporarily removes protective lipids and moisture from the nail and surrounding skin, which can lead to dryness and brittleness with repeated use.

“Acetone-free” removers typically rely on alternative solvents such as ethyl acetate or isopropyl alcohol. They may feel gentler, but they function through the same mechanism: dissolving synthetic films.

Regardless of the solvent being used, the issue is repeated exposure to volatile chemicals that disrupt the nail barrier.

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Press-On Nails and Foils: Lower Exposure, Different Trade-Offs

Press-on nails and adhesive nail foils are often seen as a safer alternative to gel or acrylic systems. In many ways, they reduce exposure:

• No UV curing
• No liquid monomer fumes
• No heavy drilling or filing during application

That said, they are not chemically neutral.

Most press-on systems rely on cyanoacrylate-based glues (aka instant glue), similar to medical adhesives. While generally considered lower risk than methacrylate monomers used in gels and acrylics, cyanoacrylates can still cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.

Source:
PubMed Sensitization Patterns to Cyanoacrylate-Based Surgical Glues

Nail foils and adhesive wraps avoid liquid glue but use pressure-sensitive adhesives and plastic films. These create an occlusive layer over the nail, which can:

• Trap moisture and create hygiene issues and fungal problems
• Weaken the natural nail with repeated removal
• Increase brittleness and porousness if peeled off improperly

The main concerns with press-ons and foils are mechanical damage and local irritation rather than systemic toxicity.

From an environmental perspective, they are typically made from synthetic polymers and are single-use plastic products, further contributing to cosmetic waste.

They may represent a lower chemical exposure profile but they are not impact-free.

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The Bigger Picture

So, is nail polish toxic? The more relevant question is cumulative exposure across a lifetime.

One mani-pedi might not cause much harm, but I do think we should be wary of it in an already chemical-saturated environment.

Especially when most girls start painting their nails at a very young age, they then add on cosmetics and make-up, hair-dyes, fragrance etc. It can all build up as the years pass and lead to many issues later down the line.

Biomonitoring studies consistently show that modern populations carry measurable levels of:

• Phthalates
• Bisphenols
• Flame retardants
• Persistent organic pollutants

Source:
CDC National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals

Nail products are optional exposure and not unavoidable like ambient air pollution.
From a reduction, low-tox perspective, they are among the easier exposures to reconsider and eliminate for a healthier lifestyle.

Are All Nail Varnishes Dangerous?

Not exactly, risk varies by:

• Formula
• Frequency
• Ventilation
• Individual sensitivity

But “non-toxic” is not a regulated cosmetic term, it’s marketing speak.
It usually means “formulated without certain headline ingredients.”
It does not mean biologically inert as most believe.

Furthermore, most safety testing evaluates single compounds in isolation, not the combined effect of repeated multi-chemical exposure.

Harm Reduction: If You Choose to Use

• Choose transparent, documented EU-regulated brands if applicable
• Avoid gel and acrylics altogether, opt for the cleanest products available
• Space applications out, give yourself long breaks where your nails are bare
• Avoid aggressive buffing and damaging the cuticles, use removal solvents sparingly
• If going to a salon, ensure the workers are protected and there’s adequate ventilation

And most importantly:
Listen to your body.

Pay attention to persistent changes in energy, skin, digestion, or mood.
Chronic low-level exposures and lifestyle stressors don’t always show up clearly on routine tests, and they’re not always the first thing discussed in a standard 10-minute medical appointment.

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The Psychological Layer

A lot of so-called “beauty routines”, including manicures, pedicures and nail painting, sit at the intersection of:

• Aesthetic conformity developed through media programming
• Surface perfection that can hide persistant health issues underneath
• Commercialised femininity that dictates whom belongs and who doesn’t

Framed as small, harmless rituals; a “treat,” a form of self-care, a marker of polish and put-togetherness. They are also one of the earliest beauty practices many girls are socialised into. Painted nails become shorthand for neatness, desirability, and effort.

It’s worth pausing to ask why something purely decorative requires industrial solvents, power tools, UV curing devices, and chemically complex polymers.

Can we recognise how excess exposure to toxins has become normalised and wrapped in identity and belonging?

When appearance is subtly tied to social value, questioning it all can feel like questioning femininity itself.

You don’t have to entirely reject the beauty industry like I have.
Although it is reasonable to ask whether every “normal” ritual aligns with your deeper health, your values, and your wider exposure load.

In a world where exposure to synthetic chemicals is constant, it’s reasonable to reconsider the ones we voluntarily add, especially when they serve purely aesthetic purposes.

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Environmental Impact: The Microplastic Question

Just like cigarette butts, the environmental impact of our beauty choices are rarely discussed.

Read my article on the Environmental Impact of Cigarette Butts here.

As we have seen in this article, nail varnish is not simply coloured liquid, nail enhancements not just a bit of fun. They generally contain:

• Film-forming polymers (such as nitrocellulose or synthetic resins)
• Plasticisers
• Acrylic and methacrylate polymers (in gels and enhancements)

While these ingredients are designed to harden into a smooth surface on the nail, they are fundamentally plastic-based materials.

When polish chips, is removed, or is filed off, microscopic fragments can enter dust, indoor air, food, or wastewater systems. Unlike natural materials, these polymers are not readily biodegradable.

There is limited direct research on nail polish specifically. However, broader environmental research confirms that:

• Synthetic polymers used in cosmetics contribute to microplastic pollution
• Microplastics enter waterways primarily through wastewater discharge
• Wastewater treatment plants do not fully remove microplastic particles

Sources:
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). (2023). Microplastics restriction proposal under REACH.

Nothing Disappears: The Afterlife of Beauty Products

The European Commission has already moved to restrict intentionally added microplastics in cosmetics under REACH regulation, acknowledging that rinse-off and leave-on products can contribute to environmental load.

Nail products are not currently the primary focus of regulation, but they contain similar polymeric materials. And cosmetic plastics, like all plastics, do not disappear.

Environmental impact is rarely discussed in the context of our little rituals. Yet beauty waste from “cotton” pads to acetone to synthetic polymers, all form part of the broader chemical and plastic footprint of modern grooming.

A single manicure is not ecological catastrophe, especially compared to the rest of things in our mad world. Nevertheless, at the scale people participate in these things, amongst others, it makes one wonder what the world could look like if we embraced ourselves as we are, naturally.

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Choosing What We Participate In

Once you understand the substances and materials involved, the question is no longer simply “is nail polish toxic?” but whether participating aligns with how you truly want to craft your long-term health, values, and exposure load.

If you’re rethinking your cosmetic routine, start small and take it slow.
It can feel overwhelming at first. Don’t try and overhaul everything at once.
Choose one optional exposure to reduce and observe how you feel.

Let’s normalise asking better questions rather than participating blindly.
Share this with someone who loves a manicure. Not to alarm, but inform.

When we know better, we tend do better… eventually.

If this resonated, please do share your own experience.
What “normal” habit did you once accept without question?

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