You found our guide on nail polish ingredients!

This list includes:

best non toxic nail polish
vegan nail polish
what is formaldehyde
non toxic nail polish brands
cruelty free nail polish
non toxic gel nail polish

This list of potentially harmful nail polish ingredients is similar to Identifying Ingredients in your Beauty Routine: What The Heck is Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane?.

Let’s get to it!

Non Toxic Nail Polish: A Deeper Look at Ingredients You’ll Never Find in Ours

In the world of clean beauty, non toxic nail polish is more than just a trend—it’s a conscious choice that reflects a deeper commitment to wellness, simplicity, and self-respect. At sundays, we believe that beauty should never come at the cost of your health, your values, or the wellbeing of others. Whether you’re treating yourself to a quiet manicure moment in your East Village apartment or visiting one of our studios for a self-care reset, the polish you choose matters.

Why We Created a Non-Toxic Formula

As our founder Amy discovered during her time in nail school—and later while earning her MBA at Columbia—many of the nail products on the market were full of ingredients that had no place in a wellness-centered lifestyle. That’s why she teamed up with a chemist and spent a full year developing our signature sundays polish: a salon-quality formula that’s clean, safe, and deeply considered.

The skin around your nails—and your nails themselves—are more absorbent than we often realize. That means what you paint on them can seep into your body, especially with regular use. Traditional nail polishes often contain a cocktail of synthetic chemicals that are linked to hormonal disruption, skin sensitivity, and respiratory issues. In the age of informed beauty, knowing what’s not in your polish is just as important as what is.

At sundays, we don’t just say non-toxic—we mean it. Our nail polishes are free from 10 potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in conventional formulas: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), TPHP, toluene, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, parabens, and tert-butyl hydroperoxide.

What We Leave Out: 10 Potentially Health-Harming Chemicals Commonly Found in Regular Nail Polish

Let’s take a closer look at ten ingredients commonly found in conventional nail polish that we purposefully leave out of our formulas:

1. Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

Once a staple in polish for added flexibility and durability, DBP is a known endocrine disruptor. It has been associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity. The EU banned its use in cosmetics years ago, but it still lingers in some U.S. products. We say: no thank you.

Learn more about DBP.

2. Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)

This plasticizer is often used to increase the durability of nail polish, but it comes with baggage. Studies have linked TPHP to hormone disruption and potential effects on metabolism and fertility. It has no place in clean, conscious beauty.

Learn more about TPHP.

3. Toluene

This volatile solvent helps polish glide on smoothly—but inhaling it can cause dizziness, headaches, and long-term damage to the nervous system. Toluene has been largely phased out of many cosmetics, but not all. We’ve banished it from our bottles.

Learn more about Toluene.

4. Xylene

Used to help polish dry evenly, xylene is a petrochemical solvent that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. Its vapors are especially harmful in poorly ventilated spaces (hello, tiny bathrooms). We’ve opted out.

Learn more about Xylene.

5. Ethyl Tosylamide

Once beloved for its quick-dry capabilities, this ingredient has antibacterial properties—but that’s not always a good thing. It may contribute to antibiotic resistance and is banned in the EU. We leave it off our ingredient list entirely.

Learn more about Ethyl Tosylamide.

6. Camphor

This strong-smelling compound gives a glossy finish but can cause nausea, dizziness, and in rare cases, seizures when inhaled in high doses. A pretty polish should never come with that kind of risk.

Learn more about Camphor.

7. Formaldehyde

A well-known carcinogen used as a nail hardener. It’s hard to imagine this chemical still shows up in some nail products. It’s been tied to cancer and respiratory issues—and has been completely excluded from our polish.

Learn more about Formaldehyde.

8. Formaldehyde Resin

A byproduct of formaldehyde, this resin can trigger skin allergies and dermatitis. It’s not quite as notorious as its parent compound, but it’s still problematic. We believe in avoiding the entire family.

Learn more about Formaldehyde Resin.

9. Parabens

These preservatives have been widely criticized for their potential hormone-disrupting effects. While they’re common in all types of cosmetics, they don’t belong in nail polish that aims to be genuinely clean.

Learn more about parabens.

10. Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide

Used to initiate the polymerization process in gel polishes, this ingredient is highly toxic and a known irritant. Though more common in gels and hardeners, it has no business being in a non-toxic formula.

Learn more about Tert-Butyl Hydroperoxide.

Beyond Ingredients: Our Deeper Commitment

Creating a non-toxic polish was just the beginning. At sundays, we extend that same thoughtfulness to every aspect of our products:

100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free: Sadly, animal byproducts are still used in some nail polish formulas. Not ours. Every sundays polish is completely vegan—and never, ever tested on animals.
Timeless, Not Trendy: We don’t chase seasonal hype. Instead, we’ve curated a small, intentional collection of timeless shades you’ll return to again and again. Think of them as your nail wardrobe staples.
Ultra-Pigmented, Long-Lasting: Our professional-grade polish glides on smoothly and stays vibrant longer, with color that’s rich and luminous in every swipe.
Designed for Effortless At-Home Use: We want your DIY manicure to feel as indulgent as one of our guided meditations. That’s why we designed a comfy-grip bottle and lid for steady, simple application—no salon required.

Learn more about sundays non toxic formula.

Final Thoughts on 10-Free Nail Polish

Choosing non toxic nail polish is a small shift that makes a big impact. It’s about more than what’s trending—it’s about honoring your health, your values, and your self-care rituals. As the clean beauty movement continues to grow, your nails deserve to be part of that evolution. With every swipe of polish, you’re saying yes to beauty that loves you back.

Next, check out The Best Non Toxic Lip Gloss.

more from sundays:

FAQ: Non Toxic Nail Polish: A Deeper Look at Ingredients You’ll Never Find in Ours

1. What makes sundays nail polish non toxic?

sundays polish is free from 10 potentially harmful ingredients, including formaldehyde, DBP, TPHP, parabens, and more. We developed our formula with a chemist to ensure it’s both safe and high-performing.

2. Is sundays nail polish vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes, absolutely. We never use animal-derived ingredients, and none of our products or ingredients are tested on animals.

3. Does non toxic nail polish last as long?

Our professional-grade formula was created to go the distance. You’ll enjoy long-lasting wear and vibrant color without compromising on safety.

4. Can I use sundays polish if I’m pregnant or have sensitive skin?

Yes. Our clean formula is ideal for anyone avoiding harsh chemicals, including expectant mothers or those with skin sensitivities.

5. Where can I experience sundays in person?

You can visit one of our tranquil sundays studios in NYC, where nail care becomes a moment of wellness—with or without guided meditation.