Vegan Nail Polish: Find The Best Vegan Nail Polish Brands 2022
By Liis Hainla. Updated: April 2022. We may receive a commission for purchases made through the links in this post. Learn more.
Nail polish often contains animal products and toxic chemicals you do not want anywhere near your skin.
Luckily, things are shaping up in the nail lacquer world.
Nail polish is becoming gradually more ethical and nontoxic with better new brands and ingredients emerging.
To help you find the best vegan nail polish, we have made a list of our favorite brands and polishes on the market right now.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Vegan Nail Polish
First and foremost, you can rest assured that no animals were used or harmed when formulating the polish. Secondly, you can feel safe knowing that no questionable chemicals are seeping into your skin. Button emphasizes that vegan nail polishes are extremely beneficial because, there should be no skin reaction, and no risk of adverse effects if somehow the nail polish should be absorbed into the body, which is great news for nail biters.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid In Nail Polish
Below, these nail polishes will say #-Free, and it refers to the number of toxic ingredients they did not use, which you would typically find in conventional nail polish. Ingredients you should most certainly avoid when purchasing a new bottle are Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde resin, and Camphor. And good news for your nails – many brands are making non-toxic nail polish that doesn’t use those ingredients, along with many other ingredients you find in conventional polish.
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What Customers Have To Say
I love the colors which remind me of Michigan. I love the toxin free formula for my daughters and I. I love the names for each color. I love everything about these products and will never buy any other polish again. – Laura G.
These are the best nail polishes I have ever used! Not only are they innovative with the colors, but all the products last longer than any polishes Ive ever used. They stay chip free for many weeks and when I have a pedicure, they stay until I take them off. I cant say enough about these products and tell others about them. The colors are always beautiful! Makes it hard to pick just a few. Want them all!- Sophia D.
Looks so good even after one coat! Since Im pregnant, I love that its toxin free. The top coat makes a really nice shiny finish. Cant wait to buy more colors!- Emily W.
What Is Vegan Nail Polish
Its easy to get confused by the onslaught of terms used in product marketing today, so figuring out what exactly is vegan can be challenging. For starters, dont be fooled by labels like clean, green, or non-toxicproducts with this wording can still include the use of animals, animal by-products, or animal testing. In order to be considered truly vegan, a product must not contain any animal-derived ingredients or animal by-products.
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I Never Really Gave Much Thought To Vegan Nail Polish Until I Learned This Fact
I don’t paint my nails often, but when I do paint them myself, I normally don’t stray from my tried-and-tested brands and colors. The same goes if I’m getting my nails done at the salon. I never really gave much thought to the nail polishes I was using aside from their shades.
But recently, I got a crash course in nail polish ingredients and learned more about the benefits of vegan and “clean” polishes. I’ve heard of the terms “5-free,””7-free,” etc. before, but I never really knew what that meant, just that the polishes were free of certain chemicals and ingredients. The craziest thing I learned that I never really thought about before? There are animal products in some nail polishes!
“Vegan nail polish does not use any animal-derived ingredients or pigments, such as carmine , guanine , and oleic acid ,” explains Barry Shields, managing partner at Nailtopia.
Even if you don’t subscribe to a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle, there are benefits to opting for a vegan nail polish. “The main benefit of vegan nail polish is that your nails are exposed to fewer harsh chemicals, and no animals are harmed in the production and testing process,” Shields says. “For Nailtopia specifically, our polishes are infused with natural AHA and PHA, which help absorb the ‘good for you’ vitamins in our formula to help strengthen, harden, and condition nails and cuticles.”
Here’s a general baseline for the ingredients, according to Shields.
CredoHand Sanitizer Spray
Brands With No Response
I’ve also contacted the following companies, but haven’t heard back from them. This doesn’t mean that these companies test on animals. However, it’s often a red flag when a company refuses to share their animal testing policy.
Brands will be moved from this list to the appropriate list once I hear back from them.
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What On Earth Is 5
The term five-free refers to the absence of 5 highly toxic chemicals that are often used in nail polish and you can read more about them here. We leave these nasties out as well as many others so that you can enjoy the healthier, cleaner version of nail polish that has people online rejoicing. We figure, why use toxins when you don’t have to? Put simply, we are strong believers in creating beautiful non-toxic products that make buying healthy beauty products easier than ever. So you can enjoy our high quality, long lasting nail polish because its toxin-free and its available in all your favourite colours.
Tools Of The Trade For Shaping And More
Even if you prefer to go polish-free, you need to keep your nails trimmed and shaped to look their best. We have all of the nail care tools required for you to maintain healthy, attractive fingernails and toenails.
- Clippers cut through thick fingernails and toenails with ease, while scissors allow you to shorten your nails with more control.
- Pick up a cuticle stick or trimmer to manage overgrown cuticles safely and easily.
- To perfect the shape of your fingernails and toenails, purchase a durable metal nail file or disposable emery boards.
Also Check: How To Control Toenail Fungus
What To Look For When Shopping For Non
Always check for the number of free ingredients they do not include. 10-Free is pretty standard for non-toxic nail polishes, but as long as you don’t see the above ingredients on the label, you are already choosing better nail polish. When shopping for non-toxic nail polish, we look for the labels’ Vegan’ & ‘Cruelty-Free,’ which means no animal products are used within the ingredients, and there has been no animal testing. Since I live in the states, I also like to look for Made in the USA to lower my carbon footprint.
Faq About Vegan Nail Polish
Is nail polish vegan?
Nail polish can be vegan but it often is not. The typical ingredients that make a nail polish not vegan are shellac, guanine, carmine, and oleic acid.
Can vegans wear nail polish?
Yes. Vegans can wear nail polish if the nail polish is vegan, i.e. free of animal products and not animal tested.
What nail polish brands are vegan?
Zoya, Barry M, Ere Perez, Deco Miami, Piggy Paint, and Pacifica are all 100% vegan nail polish brands.
What is the best vegan nail polish?
The best vegan nail lacquer is the Zoya nail polish. The brand makes great quality vegan nail polish that is also free of harsh chemicals.
Is vegan nail polish better?
Yes. Vegan nail polish tends to be more natural, cleaner, and free from shady animal-derived ingredients. Better for you, better for the planet.
Where can I buy vegan nail polish?
You can find the best selection of vegan nail polishes online, especially on Amazon.
What is the best drugstore vegan nail polish?
The best drugstore vegan nail polishes are Zoya, Piggy Paint, and Pacifica.
Is gel polish vegan?
Gel polish can be vegan if it is free from animal by-products and not tested on animals.
Is OPI nail polish vegan?
Not necessarily. OPI nail polish can contain animal ingredients. However, OPI Nature Strong collection is 100% vegan and certified by The Vegan Society.
Is Maybelline nail polish vegan?
No, Maybelline products are not vegan since the company tests on animals.
Is Butter London nail polish vegan?
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What Is Vegan & Cruelty
When it comes to nail polish, youll want to look for twoor ideally 3things.
Some brands that are not vegan do offer vegan-friendly nail polish options . Other brands that have vegan options are not cruelty-free .
Since were entering a time when there is such a plethora of options out there, Im only including nail polish brands that offer a 100% vegan line of polishes on the list below.
What To Look For In A Vegan Nail Polish
When shopping for vegan nail polishes, always choose a polish that has the least amount of chemicals in them.
When painting your nails, you do not want to breathe in the fumes of dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or other chemicals linked to health hazards.
Today, you can find lists of harsh chemicals and toxins to avoid. Nail polish brands call themselves accordingly: 5-free, 6-free, 9-free, or even 16-free and 21-free.
5-free means the nail polish is free of the Toxic 3 dibutyl phthalate , toluene, and formaldehyde as well as formaldehyde resin and camphor.
So when buying vegan nail polish, do not settle for anything less than 5-free. That way, you can enjoy an ethical polish that is also safe for you and our planet.
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Plant Pots By Ciat London
Ciaté London is a PETA-certified cruelty-free makeup company founded by prominent English businesswomen Charlotte Knight.
The brand has pledged to also become fully vegan in the future. To our joy, their Plant Pot nail polishes are already vegan-friendly.
Plant Pots are both elegant and artsy. We love all their rich vegan nail lacquers from romantic warm tones and bold bright ones.
The vegan nail polish is also made from 80% natural ingredients and infused with nail strengthening and ingredients such as biotin and bamboo extract.
Essentials For Healthy Nails
With the right treatment products, you can address a wide range of nail and hand care concerns.
- Cuticle butters, lotions, creams and oils soften the skin around the nails, reducing splitting and flaking
- If your nails are prone to breakage, you can apply a nail hardener or strengthener polish or cream regularly.
- Nail supplements are also available to promote stronger, longer nails by supplying your body with the nutrients required for proper growth.
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List Of Vegan Gel Nail Polish Brands
Several of you have been asking for a list of cruelty-free and vegan gel nail polish brands, and Im happy to have finally found some vegan gel polish for personal or professional use.
Below is a list of nail polish brands that dont test on animals and offer vegan gel polish that doesnt contain any animal-derived ingredients like guanine, pearl, or shellac.
2021 Update! I have now also included information about the brands ethical mica mining policy. There were several brands that unfortunately didnt get back to me when I asked if their mica is ethically sourced without child or forced labor.
Esmalte De Uas Iconails Gel
¡Dura hasta 7 días sin top coat! La innovadora fórmula del esmalte garantiza un perfecto acabado con un brillo gel y la máxima duración en las uñas. Gracias a la tecnología GLOSS SEALRTM, los esmaltes de uñas tienen un espectacular acabado brillante. Su fórmula escudo consigue el equilibrio perfecto entre la elasticidad y la dureza para una resistencia óptima y una duración de hasta 7 días. Los esmaltes en gel CATRICE ICONAILS están enriquecidos con aceite de açaí y prometen un color intenso y unas uñas cuidadas. ¡Color y Cuidado al máximo! El aceite de açaí es conocido por su efecto nutritivo, hidratante y regenerador, y consigue un acabado ultrabrillante. El exclusivo diseño es especialmente práctico: el tapón fino y redondo con pincel profesional permiten una aplicación sencilla y precisa. Lo que consigue que aplicar la textura sea especialmente fácil y permite un resultado uniforme. Para una manicura perfecta, aplica su textura de gran pigmentación dos veces dependiendo de la intensidad del tono deseada.
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While you might have ruled out animal-tested make-up a long time ago and diligently swapped your skincare for cruelty-free alternatives, chances are you havent considered the ingredients hiding in your favourite nail treatments.
A category thats fallen by the wayside in the world of vegan beauty, traditional nail polish can contain animal-derived ingredients including guanine along with keratin, an animal protein known to help strengthen nails.
As for those shellac treatments we all love? Unfortunately, traditional shellac is not vegan it uses a resin derived from the female lac bug found in India and Thailand that helps create the glossy formula you see in the salon.
As Veganuary is in full swing, now is a great time to consider switching your nail polish . But how to work out if its actually vegan? Look out for the Peta-approved vegan logo and the Leaping Bunny trademarks. Dont be put off by a high-shine finish, either, lots of vegan alternatives have aluminium particles or synthetic pearls to get that shimmery, high-shine result that weve all grown to love.
The good news is that theres plenty of great vegan options to choose from to switch up your manicure. From winter shades to shellac alternatives, see our favourites from the likes of Nailberry, Rimmel and Orly, below.
Read more:
Madam Glam Vegan Gel Polish
Madam Glam has one of the largest selections of vegan gel nail polish for personal and professional use. Theyre fairly inexpensive compared to other soak-off gel polishes on the market. And they claim to be 5-free and last up to 4 weeks of perfect wear and shine.
Note: I reached out to Madam Glam to ask about their ethical mica mining policy but never heard back.
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Sally Hansen Good Kind Pure
vegan
The most shocking discovery of this entire study was realizing Sally Hansen made it to our top 5. I mean, GO SALLY!
Sally Hansens polish touts itself as the first plant-based 16-free vegan nail polish . It comes in 30 shades, is 77% naturally derived and also includes a new plant-based brush. And Ive gotta say, the brush is actually everything here. Its wider than normal but not clunky and it delivers a seamless, dare I say, PRO application.
Sally Hansen GOOD. KIND. PURE is formulated without the aforementioned concerning nail polish ingredients and its also void of benzophenone-1 and benzophenone-3 as well.
In fact, Sally Hansen goes above and beyond adding the following nourishing ingredients into their polish formulas:
- Methylthioppopylamido acetyl methionine: An antioxidant peptide that has DNA protection, cell protection and light protection benefits.
- Persea gratissima fruit extract: An effective skin conditioner.
- Camellia sinensis leaf extract: Contains antioxidants and is effective for protecting skin cells against damage from sun exposure.
- Spinacia oleracea leaf extract: An effective skin conditioner.
Do You Love How Wearing Nail Polish Changes The Way You Feel
So do we. Especially when its better than five-free , cruelty-free and vegan nail polish.
As women who have busy lives, stressful jobs and pressure to have it all under control, we know that the key to being happy is not only taking time out to look after ourselves but to be conscious of caring for our environment too. More people than ever before are choosing products that reflect the philosophy of being good for them and the environment at the same time.
Its this mindset and groundswell of people power thats revolutionising the cosmetic industry and we are proud to stand up and be part of the revolution. Its just one of the many reasons why our customers in Australia and around the world trust us and love our nail polish.
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Deborah Lippmann Gel Lab Pro Color In Skinny Dippin’
A lavender lattethat’s what comes to mind after taking one look at this pastel hue. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann is known for her nail-nurturing formulas, so you know this pigment will deliver intense color without sacrificing the health ofthose tips . Healthy, happy claws, all dressed in light lavender.
Colorbar Vegan Nail Lacquer
Whats special about the formulation This patented nail lacquer is 20 Free formula and does not contain any harmful ingredients which may be present in other nail lacquers. Enriched with Calcium that prevents nails from chipping and splitting. Enhanced with Biotin that is essential for nail growth & improves nail strength.
As per the internal study, women observed: 100% Coverage 96% Wear Performance after 6 days 100% High Gloss Whats special about the packaging Sustainable / Eco-friendly packaging along with vegan formula reduces harm done to the environment. Glass Bottle 100 % recyclable making it environmentally friendly o Eco-friendly cap – Unique combination of material in order to reduce consumption of plastic. 50% less plastic
Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose Adipic Acid/neopentyl, Glycol/trimellitic, Anhydride, Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate Isopropyl, Alcohol Stearalkonium, Bentonite Acrylates, Copolymer Diacetone, Alcohol Sucrose, Acetate Isobutyrate, Pentaerythrityl, Tetraisostearate Phosphoric Acid Propylene Glycol
- Apply an initial, very thin coat, starting in the centre of the nail and then continuing to the sides.
- Follow with a second, more generous coat to add
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