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When it comes to buying beauty products, you may be interested in opting for a more ethical choice. From brand’s becoming cruelty free to monitoring their environmental impact, the beauty industry is definitely starting to be a lot more conscious. However beyond the essential requirements of sustainable beauty, you may be also starting to pay more attention to what goes into products, and the risks that they might pose to you and your families health.
We are proud that Zoya’s long lasting vegan friendly natural nail polishes were the first to be free from toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, parabens, TPHP, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, dibutyl phthalate as well as lead.
But what does that actually mean?
Toluene is often used in many common products such a nail polish to dissolve organic compounds, however it has been found to cause effects such as headaches and dizziness.
Camphor is found in polishes to give nails a glossy and shiny appearance, however if inhaled over long periods of time can cause nausea, which may be a problem for nail technicians working in small closed spaces.
Another harmful chemical that is regularly found in nail products is formaldehyde, which is used to harden polish and preserve it by protecting the formula from bacteria. However, not only is it an irritant, it’s a known carcinogen.
Formaldehyde resin is another common polish ingredient used to form shiny and durable films on the nails, and although it’s not as harmful as its regular counterpart, it's a skin allergen known to cause dermatitis.
Parabens are one of the most widely used preservatives in beauty products, and help to stop bacteria and fungus growing, especially in warm and wet environments like the bathroom. Although they prolong the life of your favourite polishes, they may be causing you harm due to their carcinogenic nature.
Triphenyl phosphate, also known as TPHP is added to polishes to increase their flexibility, as well being used as a fire retardant. Whilst this may increase the quality of products, it may impact reproductive health, so it’s best to steer clear.
Xylene is the chemical that you smell when painting your nails. It helps polish keep its smooth liquid form, however the vapours can cause irritation to the skin and eyes, as well as dizziness and nausea. Exposure to the chemical long term may even lead to respiratory issues.
Ethyl tosylamide helps along the drying process when painting nails, although the ingredient has been banned from beauty products across Europe due to its antibiotic properties and concern about antibiotic resistance.
Dibutyl phthalate (or DBP) binds nail polish to improve the length of wear but it's another chemical that’s been linked to fertility issues when absorbed through the skin.
Although lead is not directly added to nail polish, pigments are used to create colour. With a plethora of health risks such as fatigue and memory loss, we recommend opting for nail products that don’t contain the heavy metal.
By being BIG10 FREE, our products are safe for you as well as the environment, so you can care for your health whilst looking great in the process!
At Zoya UK we are forever working with a cleaner and safer beauty experience at heart with respect to nature when it comes to production and packaging, because wearing kind cosmetics looks and feels better.