The Truth About Healthy Nails

The Truth About Healthy Nails

The Truth About Healthy Nails: Why You Don’t Have to Give Up Your Favourite Polish

For years, we’ve all heard it: “Healthy nails mean giving up polish and gels.” But is that really true? At London Nail Vault, we believe you can enjoy beautiful, vibrant nails and keep them healthy—if you make smart, informed choices. Let’s break down what really matters for nail health, and how you can have it all.

What Does “9-Free” and “12-Free” Really Mean?

When you see “9-free” or “12-free” on a nail polish bottle, it means the formula is free from 9 or 12 potentially harmful chemicals commonly found in conventional nail products. Here’s what’s typically left out:

  • 9-Free: No Formaldehyde, Toluene, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Formaldehyde Resin, Camphor, Ethyl Tosylamide, Xylene, Parabens, or Acetone.

  • 12-Free: Everything in 9-free, plus no Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP), Fragrance, or Animal Derived Ingredients.

Brands Leading the Way in Safer Nail Care

At London Nail Vault, we proudly stock brands committed to clean, conscious beauty. Here are a few standouts:

  • Bio Sculpture – Vegan, cruelty-free, and 10-free formulas.

  • NailBerry – Award-winning, 12-free, vegan, and certified cruelty-free.

  • Zoya – Pioneers of the 10-free formula, long-lasting and gentle.

  • Manucurist Paris – 12-free, plant-based, and eco-conscious.

  • Fresh Therapies – Natural, non-toxic removers and treatments.

What Are the Harsh Chemicals—And Why Should You Care?

Many traditional nail polishes rely on chemicals that can pose risks to both nail health and overall wellbeing. Here’s a closer look at what’s often excluded from safer formulas, and why:

  • Formaldehyde: A known carcinogen used as a hardener. Linked to skin irritation, respiratory issues, and, with long-term exposure, certain cancers.

  • Toluene: Helps polish go on smoothly but can affect the nervous system and cause headaches, dizziness, and reproductive harm in high doses.

  • DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate): Makes polish flexible but is a suspected endocrine disruptor, potentially affecting hormones and linked to reproductive toxicity.

  • Formaldehyde Resin: Related to formaldehyde; can cause skin allergies and dermatitis.

  • Camphor: Used for gloss, but high exposure can cause nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

  • Ethyl Tosylamide: Helps polish dry faster but is banned in the EU due to antibiotic resistance concerns.

  • Xylene: A solvent that can cause headaches, dizziness, and skin irritation.

  • Parabens: Preservatives that may disrupt hormone function and are linked to breast tumour risk.

  • Acetone: Found in removers; dries out nails and skin, causing brittleness and irritation.

  • TPHP (Triphenyl Phosphate): Used for flexibility but is a suspected endocrine disruptor, potentially affecting hormones and fertility.

  • Fragrance: Can contain undisclosed allergens and irritants.

  • Animal Derived Ingredients: Not harmful to health, but excluded for vegan and ethical reasons.

How Do These Chemicals Affect Nail and Overall Health?

Some of these chemicals are linked to more than just brittle nails or irritation—they can affect your hormones, disrupt the endocrine system, or even contribute to long-term illnesses like cancer. For example:

  • Formaldehyde is classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

  • Phthalates (like DBP) are associated with hormone disruption and reproductive issues.

  • TPHP has been shown in some studies to affect hormone regulation.

  • Parabens have been found in breast tumour tissue, suggesting a possible link to cancer.

While nail polish is only one possible source of exposure, choosing products free from these chemicals helps reduce your overall risk.

How Are These Chemicals Made—and What Dosages Are Unsafe?

Most harsh chemicals in nail polish are synthetic, derived from petrochemicals or industrial processes. For example, formaldehyde is produced by oxidising methanol, while phthalates are manufactured from phthalic anhydride and alcohols. The problem isn’t just their presence, but the dose and frequency of exposure:

  • Formaldehyde: No safe level for direct skin contact; the EU restricts its use in cosmetics to 0.2%.

  • Toluene: Chronic exposure above 200 ppm (parts per million) is considered hazardous.

  • DBP: Banned in cosmetics in the EU due to reproductive risks.

  • TPHP: No official cosmetic safety limit, but ongoing research suggests caution.

Even small, repeated exposures can add up, especially for nail technicians or frequent polish users.

What Should Nail Lovers Look Out For?

When shopping for nail products, check for “9-free” or “12-free” on the label, and scan the ingredients list for anything you can’t pronounce. Stick to brands that are transparent about their formulations and have third-party certifications for vegan and cruelty-free status.

  • Look for: Vegan, cruelty-free, 9-free or 12-free labels, and clear ingredient lists.

  • Avoid: Products listing formaldehyde, DBP, toluene, parabens, or “fragrance” without disclosure.

Healthy Nails, Happy You

You don’t have to sacrifice style for safety. With the right brands and a little ingredient know-how, you can enjoy gorgeous, healthy nails—guilt-free. Let London Nail Vault do the research, so you can focus on flaunting your favourite manicure.

Ready to make the switch? Explore our collection of vegan, cruelty-free, and 12-free polishes at London Nail Vault today!

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