De-Toxifying Your Nail Polish

There's a lot of fuss being made these days about the ingredients in nail polish products-three (formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP) in particular. The tricky thing is that even though these "Big Three" (as they're called in the industry) have been linked to certain health problems and concerns, not everyone agrees that the amount in your nail polish is cause for concern. In fact, this is what the FDA has to say about their stance on the situation: "Many nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. For example, some nail ingredients are harmful only when ingested, which is not their intended use."

Well, if that makes you feel safe, then keep on using your regular old nail polish. But many women (particularly those who are pregnant) are figuring it's better to be safe than sorry. Check out the info on each of the ingredients below and decide for yourself.

The Big Three:
Dibutyl phthalates (or DBP)
This "plasticizer" is added to polishes to help head off chipping. The worry here is some studies show it is an endocrine disruptor, which means that it affects the hormone system responsible for reproductive development. This is a particular concern during pregnancy, since some scientists suggest that DBP can cause underdeveloped genitals and reproductive problem in baby boys.

Formaldehyde
You find this chemical (classified as a "known human carcinogen") in nail hardeners. There's some debate over whether the amount used could be harmful since, according to a 1997 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision, formaldehyde is found in low levels in indoor and outdoor air. And this is what the FDA has to say: "Nail hardeners that contain formaldehyde may cause an irritation or allergic reaction to those sensitized to this compound. In 1984, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel reported that available toxicological data and other information were insufficient to conclude that cosmetics containing formaldehyde in excess of 0.2% are safe. However, the CIR was referring to cosmetic products applied to the skin, not nail products. The concentration of formaldehyde needed for nail hardening is higher than 0.2%, but formaldehyde is less likely to cause skin sensitization when shields are used to keep the hardener away from the skin."

Toluene
Toluene is a solvent that helps your polish glide on easily. It's been linked to nervous system disorders and kidney damage and has a set limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency regarding how much can be in drinking water for it to be considered safe.

Want to go Big-Three free? Here are some options:
Luckily if you'd like to steer clear of these ingredients, there are now some companies that are going completely free of all three. My personal experience has been that they tend to chip a little faster. But what's a couple of nicks in your polish when you've got peace of mind?

A few to check out:

• SpaRitual, a line of polishes that's totally vegan and chemical-free.
• Sally Hansen, which announced in 2006 that the entire line would be free of the "big three."
• Barielle, an entire line free of these ingredients.
• e.l.f., which features a slew of colors at only $1 a pop.
• Dashing Diva, which has a big-three-free line called the Extra Virgin Collection.