What Is 10 Free Nail Polish?
We are so excited to announce the new PLA Nail Line! Along with being beautiful and long-lasting, all of our nail polishes are free of many common toxic chemicals, and we want to give you more details about what that actually means! Keep reading for more information about what exactly has been removed from these polishes, how they differ from traditional nail polish, and if it’s actually healthier or safer for your next manicure!
10 Free Nail Polish Explained
When you see the word “free” regarding nail polish, it refers to what has been removed from that nail polish. Many polishes started out being 3-free, 5-free, or 7-free, meaning that 3, 5, or 7 different chemicals were no longer used in their ingredients. Now, the best you will find is 10-free nail polish!
You might be wondering what these chemicals were and why they aren’t being used anymore. Let’s go through a brief description of all the chemicals you will never find in a 10-free nail polish, including ours!
First, there’s the Toxic Trio — formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.
- Formaldehyde - You might have heard of this one before if you’ve watched a lot of medical or crime dramas, as it’s been used as an embalming fluid for a long time. When used in nail polish, it bonds with the keratin in the nail and makes the nails harder, but has also been shown to cause damage to the organs and immune system, so it’s just not worth it.
- Toluene - Toluene can be used as a solvent in many different nail products, but its strong smell can affect your breathing and cause nausea. It’s also been found to damage the nervous and immune systems.
- Dibutyl Phthalate - Also known as DBP, this was used mainly to keep nail polish from becoming brittle. However, like many other toxic chemicals, it was found to correlate with causing cancer.
After those big three, there are seven more chemicals that you won’t find in a 10-free nail polish.
- Camphor - Originally used as a plasticizer, camphor helped nail polish stick to the nails and prevent chipping. Unfortunately, camphor also has a very strong smell and has been linked to various organ damage, vomiting, and even hallucinations if ingested.
- Formaldehyde resin - Used to give nail polish a glossy finish, formaldehyde resin is also known to cause allergies and eye irritation.
- Xylene - Xylene has been used as a solvent to thin nail polish and prevent it from becoming lumpy. But yet again, it’s probably carcinogen and can cause headaches and dizziness.
- Parabens - These are a group of many different chemicals that are used as preservatives, keeping bacteria, mold and fungi from growing in nail polish. However, they have also been found to increase the risk of various cancers.
- Ethyl Tosylamide - Although this does help to increase the durability of nail polish, it does also cause somewhat severe allergic reactions.
- Acetone - This is most likely familiar, since it’s widely used to thin out nail polish or remove it completely, but it’s really harsh on your nails and there are much better options out there!
- Animal ingredients - Some nail polishes have used animal by-products to add color and shimmer to their shades. There are lots of vegan options out there today, so it’s probably best to avoid polishes with animal products if you can!
10 Free Nail Polish Ingredients – How Does It Differ From Other Polishes?
You won’t find many noticeable differences between traditional polishes and 10-free polishes. They tend to be quite similar in consistency and longevity, fortunately.
Most, if not all, nail polishes are at least 3 or 5-free these days. So when you transition to a 10-free brand, you’re just taking out a few more toxic chemicals, helping you live an even healthier lifestyle!
Vegan and Cruelty Free Free Polishes
Lastly, we are proud to announce that our polishes are all vegan, with zero animal products in our ingredient list. It was important to our team to make sure our nail polish line is completely vegan and cruelty free.
We are so excited for you all to try out the PLA Nail Line, one of the few 10 free nail polish brands out there! There will be 9 collections in total with 290 shades, ranging from sophisticated neutrals to vivid brights — something for everyone! Also be sure to check out our nail tools and accessories to complete your manicure services!
We will always be here to answer any questions and help however we can with everything from lashes to nails!