Choosing a nail polish remover is like walking a tightrope. You have to find the perfect balance between strength and mildness or else you could end up causing irreversible damage to your nails.
We’ve all come across those nail polish removers that leave your nails feeling dry and brittle. Not forgetting that awful overpowering chemical smell that you have to contend with. Nail polish isn’t any better. Most brands in the market are equally as toxic.
Some of the culprits responsible for the toxic nature of most nail polish and their respective removers include Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), Toluene, Formaldehyde, and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP). You want to find a brand that doesn’t use any of these ingredients in their manufacture.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. There is a light at the end of the nail polish/remover tunnel. Thanks to innovation in the cosmetic industry, you can get the best of both worlds. You can delight in a product that is just as effective as it is strong but without any of the toxic elements that define many brands. We’ve compiled for you a comprehensive guide on the best nail polish and nail polish removers on Amazon.
1. Best Overall Non-Toxic Nail Polish
Imagine if you could apply nail polish at home, have it look professionally done, and have it stay chip-free as well for three days? It sounds like a dream, right? Well, it isn’t. There are certain things you can do to increase the longevity of nail polish.
For starters, nail polish professionals advise that you should refrain from washing your hands before application, buff your nails to remove oil buildup, add a base and top-coat for best results, and so on. They also recommend that you avoid excessive contact with water. But, let’s face it. You can never wash your hands too much, right? If that all sounds like an impossible undertaking, there’s a hassle-free solution in sight.
Bontime Water-Based Nail Polish can stay on your nails for at least two to three days, unlike other brands that begin to chip within less time. The best part about it is that it is non-toxic. It is water-based, quick-drying, and has easy peel-off removal. It contains natural mineral pigments for color and polyurethane to give it a glossy highly durable finish. It contains no flammable solvents that could potentially be corrosive to your nails.
It is integrated with a 2-in-1 base and top-coat, which makes for easy and quick application. This not only gives it a professional glow but also prevents the color from fading into a different shade altogether. That way, it maintains its original rich appearance. Bontime is designed for both professional as well as individual use, so you don’t need to worry about having a UV light to cure it. Regular natural light will do.
Features
- Available in 6 different shades
- Lasts up to three days after application
- It comes in 0.28 fl oz. clear glass bottle
- Kid-friendly
- Quick dry
- Easy peel-off removal
- Toluene-free
- Plasticizer-free
- PB-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- DBP-free
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Easy peel-off removal
- Easy and smooth application
- Doesn’t require UV light to cure it
Cons
- Clumps up after a few months
- 3-day longevity not guaranteed for all users
2. Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish on a Budget
You don’t need to break the bank to look good. You can do it on a budget and still look like a million bucks. According to Statista, the average price of a basic manicure and pedicure is $21.34 and $33.72, respectively. If you prefer gel polish instead, that will set you back between $28.53 and $48.53.
Spending that kind of money every week or so just to get your nails done can add up in the long run. Getting a couple of good quality nail polishes instead is a more cost-effective solution. There are lots of great non-toxic nail polish brands you can find on Amazon that cost no more than $11.
Fercaish’s Non-Toxic Nail Polish is one such brand. It comes in a wide range of vibrant colors, has a hardening finish, exhibits extraordinary staying power, and, all in all, gives you great value for your money. One of its most notable attributes is that it takes 90 seconds to dry from the moment of application.
You no longer have to spend what feels like an infinity waiting for your nail polish to dry. This effectively minimizes the risk of smudging if you were to come into contact with anything. Fercaish has been specially formulated to allow you to peel it off the nail easily and apply an entirely different shade altogether.
You can go from having one color in the morning to having an entirely different look later the same day with no risk of damaging your nails. Its ingredients also enhance nail health by preventing your cuticles from cracking and preventing dryness of the skin surrounding the nail bed.
Features
- Available in 6 different shades
- Lasts up to three days after application
- It comes in 0.33 fl oz. clear glass bottle
- Kid-friendly
- Quick dry
- Easy peel-off removal
- Toluene-free
- Plasticizer-free
- PB-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- DBP-free
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Easy peel-off removal
- Easy and smooth application
- Transparent nail polish doubles up as base/top-coat
- Doesn’t require UV light to cure it
Cons
- Clumps up after a few months
- 3-day longevity not guaranteed for all users
3. Best Non-Toxic Gel-Like Nail Polish
There are many defining elements that people look for when it comes to picking a great nail polish. For starters, you want it to last as long as it can before it starts to chip. You also want it to retain its original color and not fade into something else altogether.
Additionally, you want a product that feels natural, dries quickly, nourishes your nails, and gives them an added layer of protection so that they can grow longer without breakage. Gel nail polish has all these positive attributes. This is the main reason why its popularity has continued to soar since its inception in the 1980s.
Thankfully you no longer have to go to the nail salon to get a professional-looking gel-like manicure using non-toxic products. You can get salon-quality finishing right from the comfort of your home! AQmore is undoubtedly the market leader on this front with more than 14 years’ experience in producing non-toxic water-based nail polishes.
AQmore Non-Toxic Peel-Off Gel-Like Nail Polish gives your nails that signature gel-like finish protects your nails from breakage and prevents your nails from yellowing, which is synonymous with regular gel nail polish. It doesn’t require a UV light to cure it either. Simply apply two coats with the accompanying base/top-coat, and you’re ready to roll!
Features
- Gel-like finish
- 45 seconds of drying time per layer
- Lasts up to three days after application
- It comes in 0.29 fl oz. clear glass bottle
- Kid-friendly
- Quick dry
- Easy peel-off removal
- Toluene-free
- Plasticizer-free
- PB-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- DBP-free
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Easy peel-off removal
- Easy and smooth application
- Transparent nail polish doubles up as base/top-coat
- Doesn’t require UV light to cure it
Cons
- Clumps up after a few months
- 3-day longevity not guaranteed for all users
4. Best Nail Overall Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover
Toluene is a toxic chemical found in traditional nail polishes that facilitates easy application and enhances smooth finishes. It is also the same chemical used in nail polish removers that gives them their characteristic smell. The fumes from toluene have been linked to birth defects and developmental issues in babies and growing children, respectively. This is what has earned nail polish removers a bad reputation.
Karma Naturals Soybean Oil and Lavender Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover is a different kind of remover. It is specially formulated to hydrate and nourish your nails while stripping away the underlying nail polish.
Its defining factor is that it is acetone-free and toluene-free, which means that you don’t have to worry about it leaving your nails dry, discolored and brittle. It uses a unique combination of Aloe Vera, Lavender and Soybean to safely remove all types of nail polish. You’ll especially like just how quick and effective it is and how nice it leaves your nails feeling.
Karma Natural’s gentleness doesn’t stop at its ingredients. It is also evident in the mild pleasant Lavender scent it has. Who knew that a nail polish remover could smell so exquisite? This is perhaps one of the many reasons why beauty experts can’t stop raving about it.
Features
- Toluene-free
- Acetone-free
- Alcohol-free
- It comes in a 4 fl oz. brown tinted glass bottle
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Quick removal
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Slightly pricier than conventional removers
5. Best Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover Wipes
If you’re like most people, there are very few things worse than chipping nail polish. Once that beautiful sheet of color begins to flake off, you’re suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to get it off even if it means damaging your nails by picking away at the offending bits of polish. It’s like an itch you can’t help but scratch.
There are better ways to deal with chipping nail polish that doesn’t require the use of such barbaric techniques. One of these involves getting a handy pack of nail polish remover pads. But not just any generic brand will do. You’ll love the Non-Toxic Nail Polish Remover Wipes from Karma Naturals.
They consist of ultra-small individually-wrapped pre-soaked biodegradable ready-to-use remover pads that you can carry around in your handbag without running the risk of spillage if you were to carry an entire bottle of remover.
They are specially formulated from Soybean Oil and Lavender and are ideal for nail emergencies when your nail polish starts to chip in the most inopportune moments. The pack has 10 wipes – one for each nail in case you need to remove nail polish from each fingernail.
Features
- 100% biodegradable
- Toluene-free
- Acetone-free
- Comes in a pack containing 10-individually wrapped pads
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Quick removal
- Convenient
- Affordable
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- May require using more than one pad per nail depending on the strength of the nail polish you have on
6. Best Natural Vitamin-Enriched Nail Polish Remover
Finding an alcohol-free, toluene-free, and acetone-free nail polish remover can be quite an uphill task. It’s easy to understand why. There aren’t many naturally-occurring elements that can strip off nail polish without some form of “chemical-assistance” to help the process along.
Ella+Mila, the makers of Soy Nail Polish Remover, cracked the code to develop their unique blend of all-natural vitamin-enriched non-toxic polish remover. How natural, you ask? Well, it doesn’t contain any traces of alcohol, toluene or acetone. It is made from all-natural ingredients like Soybean and is enriched with Vitamin A, C, and E. Its pleasant fragrance stems from Lavender Essential Oil, which users find to be mildly therapeutic. It almost compels you to forget that you’re taking off nail polish.
One thing to point out here is that while it is highly effective in removing regular nail polish, it might be slightly harder to remove other types of nail polish like gel. It’s not as fast-acting as you would expect. You would typically need to rub in the remover for a little while before you can get all the color out.
Because of its mild nature, it is a popular choice for many cancer patients undergoing treatment, given how sensitive their nails become because of the medication. Ella+Milla Soy Polish Remover is an excellent choice on this front.
Features
- Toluene-free
- Acetone-free
- Vegan and animal cruelty-free
- PETA certified
- It comes in a 4 fl oz. bottle
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Quick removal
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- May not be as effective in removing gel polish
Pick the Right Product for the Best Nail Health
To keep your nails strong and healthy, you need to refrain from using harsh products with toxic chemicals that wear them thin and strip away their natural moisture. This leaves them dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
Ensure that you scrutinize the ingredients of any nail polish or nail polish remover to spot toxic chemicals that could have adverse effects on your nail health. That way, your nails can look great and stay strong. We recommend using the products detailed in this guide.
Looking for the best natural shampoo bars? Check out our blog for our top picks.
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