Nail polish is definitely a want over a need. But, that doesn’t mean I am not going to use it. I have been happy with the more non toxic nail polishes I have found. And, more recently, I have found what I consider to be the best non toxic gel nail polish!
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Best Non Toxic Gel Nail Polish: Manucurist
I am thrilled to be sharing the brand Manucurist with you! When I found it I knew I needed to test it out. And I wasn’t disappointed. To find a gel polish that is free of so many toxins and actually stays ON for an extended period of time has been exactly what I was looking for. They also have so many color options and even options for kids.
What exactly is a gel nail polish?
Gel nail polish is a type of nail lacquer that is cured under a UV or LED lamp to harden and set. It typically lasts longer than traditional nail polish and provides a glossy, durable finish.
Gel nail polish is different than regular nail polish in a few ways:
- Application: Gel polish requires curing under a UV or LED lamp to dry and harden, while regular polish air-dries.
- Durability: Gel polish tends to last longer than regular polish, with minimal chipping and peeling.
- Finish: Gel polish often provides a high-gloss finish that can stay shiny for longer, whereas regular polish may lose its shine over time.
- Removal: Gel polish typically requires soaking in acetone to remove, whereas regular polish can be removed with nail polish remover.
- Chemical Composition: Gel polish typically contains more polymers and other ingredients to create its durable finish in comparison to a regular nail polish.
Toxic Ingredients Found In Gel Nail Polish
The first thing to note when it comes to ingredients in nail polish, is the label system of ‘n-free.’ There is no standardization to which chemicals are excluded from a brand when they state they are 3-free, 5-free, etc. While you will find some similarities between brands, you can’t count on that labeling system to know which chemicals AREN’T included. And, it is as important to know what is IN the product as what is not. So, always check the ingredient list.
Most conventional nail polishes are free of the following toxic trio (very commonly referred to as 3-free):
- Formaldehyde: a human carcinogen (source)
- Toluene: a developmental and neurological toxicant (source)
- Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP): endocrine disruptor, reproductive and developmental toxicant (source)
But, the possibilities of toxic ingredients doesn’t stop there. You also need to be on the lookout for the following (and more!):
- Formaldehyde Resin
- Camphor
- PEG’s
- Parabens
- Xylene
- Phthalates
- Triphenyl Phosphate (TPHP)
- Tert-butyl Hydroperoxide (TBHP)
- Ethyl Tosylamide
- Benzophenone-1
Why does this matter?
“Studies have shown that chemicals in nail polish can be absorbed into the body. But the exact amount of absorption, and whether it is enough to have negative health effects, are not well established.” (source)
Related Content: 10 Best Non Toxic Nail Polishes
Is there really such a thing as non-toxic gel nail polish?
Ultimately, it’s kind of like hair dye. No, there isn’t a totally clean non toxic nail polish out there. While the options keep getting better and better, there is no perfect option.
Why? Well, when you think about the fact that you are ‘painting your nails’ it makes it extremely hard to have a full blown organic and nontoxic product. But, I am going to be sharing the brand that I have been using that is the closest to a non toxic gel nail polish that I have found!
Manucurist
What started as a nail salon in Paris has evolved into so much more! Gaëlle Labrat Personnaz, CEO and co-founder, took the reigns of the brand from her mother in 2016. It was Gaëlle that then transformed the brand into a leader in the natural beauty world. She then relaunched with the world’s first non toxic gel nail polish that can be removed easily and isn’t damaging to your nails.
Ingredients
With a goal to create the first ‘green and clean’ alternative to gel nail polish, Manucurist has outdone themselves. Here is a look at the ingredients:
- 12-free (Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) / toluenediamine / formaldehyde / Dibutyl phthalate / Camphor / xylene / hydroquinone / Ethyl Tosylamide / Triphenyl phosphate (TPhP) / Benzophenone / Monomers / Styrene)
- No Black List ingredients
- Cruelty free and vegan
- 84% plant based ingredients
- No HEMA and other methacrylate molecules like other gel nail polishes
- Removal is without acetone or nail drills
- Made in France
Packaging
Manucurist also uses eco-friendly packaging! This includes:
- Glass bottle that can be reused or recycled (no need to remove the label!)
- Plastic cap can be removed from nail brush and recycled
- Nail brush can be removed from cap and recycled
- GOTS certified organic cotton is used for the bags
- FSC certified craft paper
How To Apply Manucurist
Being that it is a gel nail polish, applications will take a little more effort than a traditional nail polish. But the payoff is well worth it!
How To Remove Manucurist Gel Nail Polish
I didn’t really find an ideal way to remove it. Usually by the time I got around to removing all of the polish, some of it had already chipped significantly. While I did have the remover clips to help remove the polish, I found those to be more cumbersome and took a while. I peeled my polish off most of the time while waiting for my girls after school or waiting for something. 🙂 If you have extra time to let the nail clips stay on your nails, I think it can be a great option. I just wasn’t super patient. The Green Flash polish remover is great at removing it with a cotton round, you just have to work at it for a bit.
Manucurist Review
Pros
- It stays on for 10 days- at least! I had some nails that were still on after two weeks.
- It is shiny.
- Doesn’t ruin your nail like traditional gel polish
- Lots of color options to choose from
- A cleaner option for a gel polish
- Dries fairly quickly
Cons
- It still has a strong nail polish smell
- It is a process applying- several steps.
- It does dry quicker than traditional nail polish, however, I will say that it still is a little tacky at first, so I try and not do anything crazy with my hands for the first 15 minutes after.
- It takes a little longer to remove the polish, not horrible, but it’s not like a traditional nail polish. You want to soak a cotton round with their remover, then apply for one minute, then peel or scrub off.
- It does dry out your nails a little. It’s similar to traditional gel polish, where once it lifts on the nail, you can peel it off. However, you also can peel a little of your nail off at the same time. It’s not as bad as traditional gel polish but my nails still felt a little dry.
- You really have to make sure and have all your nails under the LED lamp to make sure you cure the nail polish, otherwise you will get lifting quicker on the nail.
- It is a little thicker than a regular nail polish, so that can take some getting used too. You want to apply thin coats so it cures properly.
Manucurist FAQs
How long does Manucurist last?
In my experience, Manucurist stayed on for at least 10 days!
Where can Manucurist be purchased?
Manucurist can be purchased off their website here. You can also visit the Manucurist store on Amazon.
How can you save when purchasing Manucurist?
A few easy ways to save include: you can save 10% off by subscribing to the Manucurist newsletter or you can purchase a starter kit for savings. You will also earn free shipping on purchases $49+.
Is Manucurist damaging to the nails?
I did notice that my nails were dried out after removing the Manucurist gel nail polish, but it isn’t as bad as other traditional gel polishes.
Conclusion: Is Manucurist really the best non toxic gel nail polish?
Yes, Manucurist is the best non toxic gel nail polish out there. It really feels and acts like a traditional gel polish. I still feel like it does dry out the nails a little but not nearly as bad as a traditional gel polish. I love how long the gel polishes last!
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I’ve been using Ohora gel nail strips that claim to be green. I love the easy application especially since I tend to mess up the painting process. I like that it is not in liquid form when applying so I feel like there is less likelihood of absorption. I’ve had them last for over 2 weeks. Worth looking into!
Thanks for the recommendation!