Nail polish is a very important part of any manicure or pedicure bag. It comes in diverse shades, tones, and texture. Nail polishes are not just for fashion purposes, they serve several other purposes such as an opportunity to show forth a kind of energy or personality as well as to celebrate seasons.
There are so many nail polish brands in the market that choosing the perfect one is not as easy as it may seem. While they may all seem similar, they vary greatly; ranging from the ingredients to the shade. One of the first things often considered when choosing a nail polish brand is the shade but it goes far beyond that. When choosing nail polish brands, the key considerations include:
The ingredients
The very first thing to consider when choosing a nail polish brand is the ingredients used. Though there is great similarity between the ingredients used, as some components seem a mainstay, there are still key differences. Certain ingredients have been found to be toxic, harming not just the nail but also other parts of the body including internal organs. Lately, more and more brands are making nail polishes with fewer toxic ingredients for users’ safety. When choosing nail polish brands, avoid toxic ingredients such as:
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): this is one of the most common ingredients in nail polishes. It works as a plasticizer, helping to reduce nail polish chipping. The use of DBP has been connected with endocrine disruption, organ damage, and impairment of fetal development among many other side effects. These are based on animal tests but the results are said to be similar in humans. Therefore, steer clear of nail polish brands that still use DBP in their formulas. Governments of some countries have actually placed a ban on the usage of DBP in cosmetic and personal care products.
- Formaldehyde and formaldehyde resin: formaldehyde’s role as a hardener or strengthener is why it is a common ingredient in nail polishes especially with durability as the focus. It also works as a preservative. It is naturally present in the body but in a very low proportion. In higher proportions, formaldehyde could cause diverse kinds of cancers, asthma, convulsions, as well as nausea. Formaldehyde resin is a byproduct of formaldehyde and has side effects such as skin irritation and problems with nerve sensation. Watch out for these two ingredients; avoid them as much as possible.
- Toluene: smooth application and finishing is a very important factor in having a professional manicure or pedicure. This is what toluene does in nail polishes. However, the fumes from this ingredient are toxic, causing problems such as nausea, neurological damage, impaired breathing, as well as hearing damage.
Other toxic ingredients to watch out for are camphor, xylene, and triphenylphosphate (TPHP).
Durability
Traditional and gel nail polishes usually last up to 14 days without chipping but as some toxic chemicals, that contribute to the durability, are being excluded from the formulas, it seemed as if it has to be a tradeoff. Fortunately, some brands have found a great balance between safety and durability. As much as you want safe nail polishes, you want something that will last at least 5 to 7 days without chipping. Therefore, when choosing nail polish brands, select the ones with a significant balance between these two factors. However, you will almost certainly let go of varying degrees of durability to get safer nail polishes.
Odor
There are several nail polishes with a very strong odour that can cause you and people around you to choke. On the other hand, there are nail polishes with a nice odour. Usually, a strong odour is an indication of the toxicity of the nail polish; choose nail polishes with a neutral or sweet odour.
Color
This is a very common consideration. It appears easy but it’s not as easy as it seems. The appearance of colours among brands varies significantly. Red isn’t just red and blue isn’t just blue. Having used so many brands of nail polishes, this is so true. Some brands are popular for how great some of their colours look. For example, a popular nail polish brand is known for its astonishing pink. When choosing a nail polish brand, check out how the particular colour you want looks in reality.
Note: you may need to get a sample bottle because the way they look in pictures may be very different from what they look like in reality, largely because of the effect of lightning on pictures.
Choosing a nail polish brand cannot be handled lightly; it requires careful considerations. There are several things to pay attention to in order to ensure the health of your nails, as well as that of the whole body, is not compromised in the name of using nail polish. Follow the considerations above when choosing the nail polish for your next manicure and you will be making a perfect choice.
