Best Non-Toxic Gel Nail Polish: 5 Safe, Natural, and Beautiful Options!

Find the best non-toxic gel nail polish for 2023, which offer all the benefits of a gel manicure with fewer harmful ingredients.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in February of 2023 and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in August 2023. 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure here.

As more people become aware of the clean beauty movement and the health risks associated with toxic nail polish, we’re starting to see more non-toxic gel and natural nail polish brands arriving on the market that are made with safer, less toxic ingredients like natural resins, organic solvents, and plant-based oils and waxes.

These natural and organic options are less likely to cause skin irritations.

A Note About Non Toxic Gel Polish Labels

We do want to mention the health and safety of cosmetic products, including nail polishes, is generally not well regulated, so it is difficult to say that any gel nail polish brand can ever definitively be considered completely nontoxic nail polishes, as the definition of "non-toxic" varies and is not regulated by any governing body in the US.

The non-toxic gel nail polishes that are available are often labeled as "three-free," “toxic trio-free,” "five-free," or "seven-free," indicating the number of toxic chemicals they do not contain.

So, while it may not be possible for gel nail polish to be completely safe, the alternative gel nail polishes we mention here contain fewer harmful chemicals and are the safest gel nail polish options available.

As always, it's important to do your own research, read labels, and choose products that align with your personal values and health concerns.

5 Non-Toxic Gel Nail Polish Brands To Try In 2023

The Green Flash Gel-Polish kit comes with all the essentials you need to get started - a base coat, top coat, nail polish remover, nail clips, LED lamp, and an organic cotton bag. Green Flash has a variety of colors to choose from, including dainty neutrals to vampy burgandies.

Green Flash non-toxic nail polish is a ‘12-free’ formulation infused with a blend of bio-sourced ingredients such as potato, cassava, oleic acid, cotton, and sugar cane, meaning that all of the Green Flash nail polishes are as kind to your nails as they are to the planet.

This Green Flas kit is perfect for even those new to doing their own non-toxic gel polish manicure at home. The kit comes with simple, straightforward instructions and takes about 15-20 minutes from start to finish. The polish holds up well and didn't chip during our daily chores. While the kit may seem expensive at first, it's definitely worth the investment and pays for itself in a few uses.

The removal process was also easy. Their nail polish removers didn’t have a strong scent, and it was a breeze to remove the polish - it peeled off each nail like a sticker and left our nail beds in great condition.

The Le Mini Macaron DIY Gel Manicure Kit is a great alternative to get the results of a nail salon from the comfort of your own home. It promises a high-shine, chip-free manicure that lasts up to 10 days and lives up to the promise. The cute little macaron-shaped LED lamp included in the kit cures the polish in just 30 seconds, so no more sheet imprints on your fresh manicure when you wake up in the morning!

Not only is the kit practical and efficient, but it's also a cruelty-free, vegan, non-toxic nail polish. The polish is free of the things you don't want like toluene, dibutyl phthalate DBP, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP, or xylene.

The kit comes with everything you need, including a gel remover, cuticle stick, LED lamp, USB cord, nail file, instructions, and a gel polish color that matches the lamp. This makes it a great alternative to nail salon manicures, as you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

Make sure to follow the instructions and only apply thin coats of polish. Applying it too thick can lead to chipping.

Beetles is definitely worth trying if you're looking for budget-friendly, high-performance gel polishes that last for weeks.

Beetles has so many different colors to choose from; you can change your polish color as often as you change your clothes. Luckily it is almost as easy to remove as it is to apply.

The Beetles formula is 9 toxin-free, ensuring that each nail and nail bed is healthy and free from unwanted chemicals. The brand is certified by GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and has passed SGS tests for heavy metals and toxicological risk assessment. Beetles is free from ingredients like formaldehyde resin, dibutyl phthalate, toluene, parabens, sulfates, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, xylene, and ethyl tosylamide.

Application is easy, roll the bottle between your palms to warm the product, apply a thin layer of base coat, cure it under an LED light for 90 seconds, and repeat with your color of choice and top coat. That's it! And with options to purchase nail tips and art tools, you can get creative with your manicure.

The Bio Seaweed Gel nail polish line seriously brings the 'wow' factor with its vibrant colors and full coverage, and their products are exceptionally easy to apply. You don't need to fuss with primers, bonders, or heavy sanding, which is good news if you are trying to maintain healthy nails or have particularly sensitive nails.

The staying power was reasonably good for a healthy gel nail polish, but we did notice a few nails starting to peel a little within a few days, but that may have been due to user error and not allowing the polish to cure fully.

If applied correctly, the polish should last for over a week. Protecting your hands if you're dealing with harsh chemicals or lots of water is also a good idea.

For best results, we recommend purchasing the Bio Seaweed base gel polish, 3Step First Coat (in your color of choice), and the top gel polish. Shake the bottles well before use, and be sure to apply polish in thin layers.

Karma Organic's gel nail polish is one of the best organic gel nail polish brands we tried. It provides the long-lasting power of regular polish but without any of the questionable chemicals. 

This brand offers a wide range of classic colors and finishes, including glossy, matte, and even glow-in-the-dark shades. What sets Karma Organic apart is their commitment to using only organic ingredients and avoiding harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and more.

This organic gel nail polish produces a chip-resistant, non-yellowing finish that is rich in color. It also strengthens your nails with its unique formula derived from coffee and calcium extracts, making your nails healthy and nourished.

How Is Gel Polish Different From Traditional Nail Polish?

GEL POLISH

Gel polish and traditional nail polishes have their distinct characteristics, including the formula, application, and end result. Gel polish has a thicker consistency and uses UV light to harden, resulting in a glossy and long-lasting finish. 

regular nail polish

Regular nail polish, on the other hand, dries through evaporation but has a tendency to chip and fade quickly. Applying gel polish involves several stages, including a base coat, color coats, and a topcoat, while regular nail polish can simply be brushed on in one step.

Ultimately, the end result of gel polish is a glossy, long-lasting manicure that can persist for up to two weeks, whereas regular nail polish has a quicker drying time but requires touch-ups more frequently.

What Is Non-Toxic Gel Polish?

These gel polishes are free from chemicals that are harmful to your health. Safe gel polish brands don't include formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, TPHB, DBP, xylene, or parabens in their formulations. Clean nail polish brands are considered better for both your nails and your body, making it a great option for people who are concerned about their health and the environment.

Suggested Reading: Non-Toxic Personal Care Products for Sensitive Skin: Your Guide to a Clear, Calm Complexion

What Toxic Ingredients Should I Avoid With Gel Polish?

Conventional nail lacquer products often contain a mix of chemicals that can have negative health implications. One particularly concerning group of substances is commonly referred to as the "toxic trio": formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP). These three toxic chemicals are frequently used in nail polishes, nail hardeners, and nail prep solutions to improve the products' performance but come with a set of health risks that should not be overlooked.

Formaldehyde 

Often used in nail hardeners and some nail lacquers, formaldehyde is a preservative and disinfectant. Exposure to this chemical can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. In some cases, it has even been linked to skin cancer, particularly when it comes in prolonged contact with the skin. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

Toluene  

This chemical is used to give nail polish its smooth texture and as a solvent to help the polish stick to our natural nails. Inhaling toluene fumes can be harmful to our central nervous system and respiratory system. Skin contact can also cause skin irritation.

Phthalates  

Are a group of chemicals used to make plastic more flexible. They can be found in a lot of personal care products, including gel polish, as a plasticizer. Phthalates can mess with our hormones and have been linked to a host of health problems, such as reproductive and developmental issues.

TPHB 

Also known as triphenyl phosphate, is a chemical commonly used in traditional gel nail polish and other beauty products as a plasticizer and flame retardant. However, triphenyl phosphate has been linked to hormone disruption and is a potential endocrine disruptor.

dibutyl phthalate dbp

Dibutyl Phthalate DPB, a known carcinogen, is a chemical commonly used in traditional gel nail polishes to improve their flexibility and durability. Dibutyl Phthalate DBP has been linked to a number of health concerns, such as endocrine disruption and developmental and reproductive toxicity, and has been classified as a toxic substance by some organizations.

Xylene

Is a common solvent used in some gel nail polishes, as well as in many other products, such as paints, varnishes, and adhesives. It is considered toxic, and exposure to it can cause a number of adverse health effects, including irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Long-term exposure to high levels of xylene can also lead to more serious health problems, such as liver and kidney damage, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

Parabens

Are often utilized in many cosmetic products to prevent the growth of bacteria and increase the product's shelf life. However, there have been concerns raised about the safety of parabens because they have the potential to imitate estrogen in the body and disrupt the endocrine system, leading to hormonal imbalances, reproductive problems, and an increased risk of certain cancers.

These nail care ingredients listed above either contain animal ingredients or are tested on animals, making the products unsuitable for those who wish to purchase products considered to be cruelty-free.

What To Look For When Buying A Non-Toxic Nail Polish

You may have heard of "three-free," "five-free," "seven-free," "10-free," "14-free," or even "21-free" non-toxic nail polish formulas. The numbers in these product labels refer to the number of toxic chemicals that aren't included in the product.

For instance, a "five-free" nail polish means it's free of five of the nastiest toxic ingredients found in regular nail polish, including formaldehyde, toluene, phthalates, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. So "seven-free" nail polish is free of those five chemicals, plus two more health-harming chemicals. And so on; each higher number means two more chemicals are left out.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Non-Toxic Gel Nail Polish?

• Healthy gel polish is safer for your health: Traditional gel nail polish often contains nasty chemicals that can be harmful to your health, but non-toxic gel polish is made without these chemicals, making it a safer option.
• Non-toxic gel polishes are better for the environment: These options are made without toxic substances that can be damaging to the environment, so it's a more sustainable option.
• It's long-lasting: These non-toxic alternatives are just as durable and long-lasting as traditional gel nail polish, so you don't have to sacrifice staying power for safety.
• It's available in a range of colors: All of your favorite colors without the harmful ingredients so you can find the perfect shade to suit your style.

Like this post? Share on Pinterest!