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Not All Drugstore Nail Products are the same... Here's what I've learned!
9:06 AMUnknown
Howdy Folks,
I have learned the horrible truth that some nail polish has toxic, harmful, damaging and cancer causing ingredients. Not only that, but a lot of what we put on our nails to care for them and enhance their appearance, can actually cause our nails to do the opposite in the long run. Some of the short and long terms problems associated with these products: yellow, stained and discolored nails; peeling, breaking and thinning of the nails; inability to grow long or thick/hard nails; and lastly, the cuticles can become dehydrated, raw, bloody, hard, infected, etc. I didn't know my beloved bottles of nail polish contained ingredients that are sometimes called the "toxic trio" on the beauty streets. Meet the "toxic" trio: formaldehyde (a carcinogen used as a hardening agent), toluene (evenly distributes color) and DBP (which adds flexibility and sheen). Toluene and DBP are linked to developmental defects. The people who are probably most at risk for long term problems associated with the "toxic trio" are pregnant women, children that are more susceptible and chew or bite their fingers and nails, people who bite their nails in general, and salon workers or people who work with nail polish often.
After learning about all of this, I thought that better options would be hard to find and possibly expensive. I didn't want to have to spend a lot of money or order nail polish online that potentially would lack pigment or dry slowly, etc in order to get healthy products. I want to stick with drugstore nail products, so here is a list of some products that seem to be potentially less damaging or toxic to among the drugstore options:
*Options with an asterisk (*) are free of 5 potentially harmful toxins: Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor.
**All of the other options listed are free of the "toxic trio" listed above.
Once again, please check out the video that I made, which shows the steps I'm using to get my nails in better shape! Here's to longer, stronger nails!
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I have learned the horrible truth that some nail polish has toxic, harmful, damaging and cancer causing ingredients. Not only that, but a lot of what we put on our nails to care for them and enhance their appearance, can actually cause our nails to do the opposite in the long run. Some of the short and long terms problems associated with these products: yellow, stained and discolored nails; peeling, breaking and thinning of the nails; inability to grow long or thick/hard nails; and lastly, the cuticles can become dehydrated, raw, bloody, hard, infected, etc. I didn't know my beloved bottles of nail polish contained ingredients that are sometimes called the "toxic trio" on the beauty streets. Meet the "toxic" trio: formaldehyde (a carcinogen used as a hardening agent), toluene (evenly distributes color) and DBP (which adds flexibility and sheen). Toluene and DBP are linked to developmental defects. The people who are probably most at risk for long term problems associated with the "toxic trio" are pregnant women, children that are more susceptible and chew or bite their fingers and nails, people who bite their nails in general, and salon workers or people who work with nail polish often.
After learning about all of this, I thought that better options would be hard to find and possibly expensive. I didn't want to have to spend a lot of money or order nail polish online that potentially would lack pigment or dry slowly, etc in order to get healthy products. I want to stick with drugstore nail products, so here is a list of some products that seem to be potentially less damaging or toxic to among the drugstore options:
*Options with an asterisk (*) are free of 5 potentially harmful toxins: Formaldehyde, DBP, Toluene, Formaldehyde Resin and Camphor.
**All of the other options listed are free of the "toxic trio" listed above.
- Nail Polish:
- Essie ($8.50 at CVS)
- L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Nail Polish ($5.99 at CVS)*
- O.P.I ($10.79 at CVS)
- China Glaze ($7.50 on Ulta's website. Also sold at Sally Beauty Supply; ***Only certain nail polishes from this brand, not all of them!)
- Wet N' Wild ($0.99 to $3.69 at CVS)
- NYC ($0.99 to $1.99 at CVS)
- Sally Hansen Salon Nail Color (Pricing ranges from $3.19 to $12.99)
- Sinful Colors Collection ($1.99)
- American Apparel Nail Lacquer ($7)
- MAC Studio Nail Lacquer ($12)
- Givenchy Le Vernis Intense Color Nail Lacquer ($18)*
- Dior Vernis ($25 to $30-something)*
- Chanel Le Vernis ($27)*
- Zoya ($9 on Zoya website)
- OCC aka Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics ($8)
- Nars Galion ($17)
- RGB Seal ($16)
- Nail Strips/Stickers, the Nail Polish Alternative:
- Sally Hansen and Kiss make some nice nail stickers/strips. Personally, I love these and have used them several times! Here is an example: http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/makeup/nails/sally-hansen-salon-effects-real-nail-polish-strips-lust-rous-skuid-862612
- Nail Care Products for Nail Health & Appearance:
- To save time and space, here is a full list of the Sally Hansen nail care products at CVS (again, Sally Hansen claims to be free of toxic trio mentioned above) http://www.cvs.com/search/N-0?searchTerm=SallyHansenNailCare&DCSext.TriadCampID=78902
- Burts Bees has a great line for hand, cuticle and nail care. I've tried this product and I liked it. I will be picking it up in the future: http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/bath-body/hand-foot-care/burt-s-bees-100-natural-lemon-butter-cuticle-cream-with-vitamin-e-skuid-310523
- http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/sally-hansen-miracle-cure-severe-problem-nail-formula/ID=prod1753451-product
- There are a few other brands that I've seen in drugstores that seem to be natural and beneficial. I have not tried most of them. I believe researching the company websites is always beneficial!
- Nail Care Tools:
- Crystal Nail Files: http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/beauty-tools-accessories/nail-tools/beauty-360-crystal-file-case-skuid-988445
- Cuticle pushers soft: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/nails/tools/cuticle_pushers
- Buffing blocks: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/studio-35-beauty-buffing-block/ID=prod6015848-product
- Cuticle Oil Pen: http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/makeup/nails/cvs-almond-oil-cuticle-pen-skuid-924521
- Nail Clipper (try to cut straight across and not too short):
- Nail Polish Remover:
- Nail polish remover isn't too good for your nails and you should try to avoid using it as much as you can. There are natural, online brands that sell less damaging remover, but from what I've read some of them aren't as good as the drugstore nail polish removers that we're used to. Here's a couple of options that seem to at least have some beneficial properties:
- http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/makeup/nails/nail-tools/sweet-almond-oil-nail-polish-remover.aspx?utm_source=GoogleShopping&utm_medium=sem_gen&utm_campaign=061914_Generic&utm_term=&utm_content=Q22015&cvosrc=cse.google.22132&cvo_campaign=061914&cvo_crid=62444911594&vendor=CSE_GOOG&mr:trackingCode=67EAC86C-2159-E411-B3C3-B8CA3A5D9DDA&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mr:ad=62444911594&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=70255265780&gclid=CjwKEAjwwZmsBRDOh7C6rKO8zkcSJABCusnboNZqJq0XPMyI0r2eh_RUsYLmUM4NytOzy8COLp55mxoCnkvw_wcB
- http://www.cvs.com/shop/beauty/makeup/nails/honeybee-gardens-nail-polish-remover-4-oz-skuid-558097
- Gel Manicures and Acrylics
- When it comes to these two, you need to remove them carefully as they can damage the nail and remove some of your nail plate. This is a topic for another post, but be gentle when removing them, don't scrape, chip or pull them off your nail. The best thing to do for gels is to soak them in nail polish remover for a long enough time that they very easily come off with a scrapper.
- Gels: http://www.nailsmag.com/article/96323/avoid-nail-damage-with-proper-gel-polish-removal
- Gel Polish Remover Tool: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/sensationail-gel-polish-removal-tool/ID=prod6128462-product
- Acrylics: http://skincare.lovetoknow.com/Natural_Nails_After_Acrylic
*Pro Tips: Use sunscreen on your hands to prevent sun spots and aging, use keratin and vitamin e on hands cuticles and nails. When cleaning or doing the dishes, wear gloves. Always wear gloves when it's cold outside or really windy. Moisturize and use cuticle oils and creams. Don't bite you nails-get a bad tasting nail polish or get a mouth guard if you do it in your sleep. The same goes for bitings at the skin surrounding your nails. Talk to your doctor or a dermatologist if it's severe or affecting your life. It can cause problems.
Once again, please check out the video that I made, which shows the steps I'm using to get my nails in better shape! Here's to longer, stronger nails!
So the lesson here is to read the ingredients and research the products that we buy. If you see something happening to your nails or cuticles that doesn't feel nor look very good, reassess what you're putting on your nails and the surrounding area. Everything from cuticle care to nutrition will affect the look and health of your nails. I don't need formaldehyde and other toxic (/cancer causing) ingredients that make it harder to have long, strong and white/clear nails.
***Again, if you are pregnant, nursing, bite your nails or use nail polish on a child (especially a child that bites or chews their finger/nail area), then I would advise that you make sure that the polishes and products that you are using are non-toxic; when in doubt, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor or reach out to the company for guaranteed facts and ingredients (but know that not everyone is informed or telling the whole truth).
Have you used any of the products mentioned above? Did they work well? What healthy nail products do you use? Please tell us what you use and how you like it! Questions or comments? Leave them in the comments section below!
You're Worth It,
She-IY World
"She does it herself..."
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