Hope you had a nice weekend. 🙂 Friday afternoon, after a long but wonderful week, I decided to go out and buy this dark nail polish (pictured here). I painted it on, and felt instantly transformed! Isn’t it so great that us ladies can transform with something so simple as nail polish? I haven’t worn dark polish in ages- usually I trend towards red polish on my toes, and clear tones on my fingers. Why? Hmm…Well I try to keep my keep my feet looking decent because I am barefoot so much in teaching and practicing yoga. I really like classic red, or let them breathe with no polish at all (especially when I’m traveling). In warm months and when I do food demos, I like clear polish on my fingers or nothing because I like that light, clean look and I don’t want my nails to be distracting to people or on TV.
By the way, our nails are a fantastic indicator of our overall health. Which we’ll talk about in another nail blog!
But what girl doesn’t like some dark polish in the cold winter months?? 🙂 Again, like I said- very transformational and very satisfying, that we can just sit in our apt. and instantly (and not permanently- so no big commitment!) change our whole look!
Well this is all safe and good fun except that I want to remind us that our nails are part of our skin. They are very porous, and can absorb chemicals and compounds right into them. That is why acrylic nail add-ons are toxic, hideous inventions that should be banned. That is also why I haven’t stepped foot in a nail salon in years. Unless it is a “green” nail salon, which I hear about sometimes,though haven’t seen one- (has anyone seen one??). I haven’t exactly been seeking them out either though. But in most nail salons, you are almost 100% guaranteed to have to choose from toxic nail polishes. Nooo thanks!!!! I guess I could bring my own polish in there and have them use that- but I don’t bother. Plus I sort of like doing it myself, while watching TV or letting them dry while reading at home. 🙂 Cozy!
Here are the 3 Big Nail Polish Toxins that we should avoid:
1. Toluene: This is a clear liquid also used paints, thinners, and inks. It makes nail polish smooth and makes it dry quicker. So beware of all those “quick dry” polishes!! Toxic to the liver and kidneys, and can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
2. Formaldehyde: A carcinogenic preservative and is used in nail polish as a nail hardener and to keep it from chipping. Also toxic to the organs and can cause immune dysfunction (!).
3. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): Also found in plastics, personal care products, paints, and pesticides. It’s used as a plasticizer that makes plastics soft and flexible. In nail polish it acts as a binder to make the nail polish last longer. Phthalates are also known carcinogens, are known to cause birth defects, and damage the reproductive organs. Particularly, it has shown to cause underdeveloped genitals in newborn boys and long-term fertility problems. It has also shown to be toxic to the liver, lungs, and kidneys. We can absorb phthalates through skin contact. Note: Many moisturizers and skin care products also contain phthalates!!!! Of course, The Solution, my moisturizer does not. Be sure yours doesn’t either!!
Ladies, this is not a time to cheap out and get crappy drugstore brands if you buy your own polish. Make sure you get polish that is of good quality. Your nails after all, are part of your skin. And if you DO go to nail salons regularly, I recommend bringing your own polish that is free of these Big 3 Toxins.
Some good non-toxic brands are Aquarella, Suncoat, and Honeybee gardens. I think they sell some of these brands at Wholefoods? If you know of more great color/quality/non-toxic organic makeup brands or where they’re sold, please pass that along!
Have a beautiful day. 🙂 See you back here soon.
Lots of love,
Kimberly
I had a feeling that nails were connected some how to the over all health. I have been lucky to have strong nails though I can’t say that about the rest of my body. Though I am getting better and stronger every week. Watching what I eat and doing more yoga has certainly helped!!!
Wow great post! This is so interesting.
Hey Kimberly,
I was just wondering if u use any of the organic makeup like the blushes and mascaras. I was looking into going more natural with my makeup and wondered if u have had a chance to try any and if so which company would u recommend? Also how do we know for sure that the products labeled as organic actually are organic?
Hi Samantha!
You never really know, to be honest, as there are so many ways to get around the organic label. The best thing you can do is try to investigate more about the company and their ethos.
I like the Physician’s Brand for organic mineral blushes. I think it works pretty decent, and not cakey like some mineral brands I’ve tried at Sephora!
xx Kimberly
Hi Kimberly,
I am so happy that I found your blog! I searched through your posts and didn’t see anything on make up. I am curious to learn about your makeup routine and what products you use with The Solution.
Thank you 🙂
Hi Jody!
I talk about my makeup routine in a blog called, “Makeup and the Heat.” Check it out! 🙂
come visit me again!
xx Kimberly
Your writing is effective, however your information on acrylics is inaccurate to say the least. Acrylic nails are not harmful to the body. They have been used for over 50 years and no one has been able to link them to any health risks – even for those women who work in nail salons 5 days a week or more. Acrylic nails will never be banned, because there is no compelling reason to do so.
Hi Jessie,
I appreciate your comments. However, I wholeheartedly disagree with you. Acrylic nails require that a glue be applied to the natural nail. The chemicals used in these glues to apply acrylic nails are notoriously unhealthy, and include such offenders as resins and formaldehyde, which may play a role in causing cancer. If you have acrylic nails applied on a frequent basis you may be getting significant exposure to these dangerous agents.
To further add to the risk, sometimes a poisonous and illegal substance called MMA is an ingredient in nail adhesives. This chemical has been outlawed for use in many areas, although it’s still being purchased on the black market and added to nail products. It can cause serious damage to the lungs as well as permanent damage to natural nails when used as an adhesive, and is toxic to the liver and body’s tissues.
Our nails are porous parts of our skin. Up to 70% of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the blood stream and into our bodies. Maybe people aren’t dropping dead from acrylic nails- but something that requires a chemical-based GLUE to be put over a natural nail bed, and kept there 24/7 for weeks at a time, is most probably harmful, not helpful to our bodies.
I haven’t done all the extensive research on the acrylic nail subject but a little bit of common sense call tell u they are not healthy for u. I just never knew how unhealthy. Thx for the info.
Kimberly,
I had acrylic nails for about 15 years, and finally quit using them six years ago because of the chemicals I knew were in the solutions used. Unfortunately, the use of those nails caused permanent damage to my fingernails. They are soft and brittle, and don’t grow long without splitting. I put clear nailpolish on to help reduce the splitting. I have used Acquarella; it is a bit of a process, but it works ok; you can order direct from the company on-line or thru Amazon. In the January/February 2012 issue of Whole Living Magazine, there is an article about a lady named Kim D’Amato, who has developed a natural nail polish line called “Priti NYC”. Website is pritinyc.com. I plan on ordering a couple of bottles to try out.
Unfortunately Jessie, you provide no scientific findings to support your opinion.
Hi Kim,
Today I have decided to dress up as a Punk for Halloween this year. It is kind of funny because I used to be into Punk years ago so I only needed to look into my closet and voila I have found my costume.
Anyway, I was about to buy some nail polish but I decided to do not do it because I was afraid of all the chemicals that they contain. However with your suggestions of some brand names, tomorrow I can go to buy them and then I will be ready for my Halloween Punk look.
Thank you and see you in class!
Hi Claudia!
Send me a picture of your punk look!! 🙂
I found your website on Yahoo and i like your content.
Great! Thank you.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the fantastic work Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thanks and yay!!
This was a very interesting post!! Thanks for sharing!
I’d like to add one more piece of information, if you don’t mind. Not only is formaldehyde a carcinogen, it’s also one of the most common skin allergens in cosmetics. I have unbelievably sensitive skin and in the past using nail polishes caused the skin around my eyes to become extremely inflamed and very irritated. I asked my dermatologist about this and he said it’s from nail polish. After some hunting around, I found that Formaldehyde-based resins are very common in nail polish (obviously, like you said), and very frequently cause skin reactions/break-outs. So, even leaving aside the cancer-causing aspect of formaldehyde (which is very serious, indeed), it’s best to avoid it even if you have sensitive skin!
Thanks for letting me share!!
🙂 Emily
i frequent hair salons because i always want to keep my hair in top shape :.;
Butter London’s 3 Free Laquers are pretty good.
Hi Kimberly,
I am grateful for your information on the subject. I live in the UAE and here most salons use gel as well as something called “gelish” and a new product called shellac. Would those have the same dangerous ingredients? I am giving my nails a break at the moment. Google doesn’t really help either as most links popping up refer to advertising / brands etc but not about harmful side effects or even long term implications. Here every woman is all year round both manicured and pedicured full on with these harmful products. Thanks for advice on above questions! Cheers
Sadly most gels would indeed have petrochemicals, though some products might vary. Have you ever tried the water-based products? Maybe you can start a new trend!
xx Kimberly
Shellac is “3-Free”. It doesn’t contain these ingredients Kim recommends we stay away from 🙂 I did a bit of research, and apparently the amount of UV light you are exposed to in this procedure is the same amount as walking to your car everyday. Overall, a better option than other gel procedures and I love how the shine lasts for weeks and it how it doesn’t chip! They have a great colour wheel to choose from as well. Kim, if you are into reds you will love some of the colours they have! xx
Butter London make polish called “3 Free” which does not have the 3 ingredients you just mention.
I found a nail polish brand called Zoya that is free of those 3 chemicals. I bought it at whole foods in the cosmetic area. Plus, the quality is fabulous !
My spouse and I stumbled over here different web page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to exploring your web page again.
I use a brand of nail polish called “Jessica”. All of the colors are free of DBP, Formaldehyde and toluene. 🙂
Wanted to let everyone know about nail polishes from Spa Ritual. This is a vegan prodcut with no harmful ingredients. Try some out!
And they work great as well!
Hi Kimberly,
I really enjoy reading your blog and your nutrition advice!!!
I’m an RN and was a health/fitness writer, but am just a couple months away from finishing up a required internship program to be a registered dietitian and also in a masters program for clinical nutrition. I just couldn’t be a nurse knowing that most of the diseases I saw are rooted in diet, and I had to refocus my efforts!
I am always obsessed with finding healthy beauty products! I developed facial swelling and red, dry contact dermatitis on my face recently and realized it was because I had been switching up my nail polish/using remover more often and, of course, touching my face. Yeah-not exactly attractive :/
It went away after a few days once I stopped, and I went back to using a less chemical laden polish by N Miss. But are there polish removers you’ve found that are effective but minimally irritating? So frustrating that so many mainstream beauty products are antithetical to our health!!
Hi Kimberly, I love your website/blog and the wonderful health advice. I also recently read your book. Wondering what causes nail ridges and how to get rid or them. The ridges are so bad that one nail is always splitting down the middle and as a result I have to keep it short.
I never had this issue when I was younger… I have gone to several dermatologists but their only explanation/solution is lack of moisture, to keep nails dry and to use nail polish. Do you have any advice… please help… thank you.
All OPI polishes are 3-free! The quality and color choices are beautiful. I use CND Stickey Base Coat and INM Out the Door Top coat which dries in seconds. Also 3-free! Dehydrate the nail with alcohol before applying and your manicure will last a long time. I’ve done my homework! 🙂
Hi Kimberly ! I actually own a “green salon”. Not only do we use ONLY organic hair color, but we do NO artificial nail care, so there is no yucky smell or chemicals in our salon. Recently I started my own cosmetic company, called Nantucket Skin. Our first product is an organic nail polish, which is a “4-Free” polish. We are free of formaldehyde, camphor, Toluene and DBP. We also have a garlic nail hardener and fast drying topcoat. It’s long lasting and it works !
WОW just what Ι was sеarchіng fоr.
Cаme here by searching for forevеr garciniа plus
“Thanks for sharing, keep bringing more!!
Cheers
“
Thanks so much Darpana…lots of love! 😉