Colorful and trendy, or soft and timeless: nail polishes are a cosmetic that is always much appreciated, but what can be said about their ingredients? Are nail polishes vegan and cruelty-free?
The answer is, as is often the case, not always. Although the popularity of vegan cosmetics has significantly increased in recent years, and it is increasingly easy to find vegan-friendly manicure products, nail polishes can still contain animal-derived ingredients incompatible with the vegan choice.
There are three most common non-vegan ingredients in nail polishes:
- Carmine: This is a red dye obtained from the corresponding insects – pregnant females – bred specifically for this purpose. The cochineals are left to die, dried in the sun, and then crushed until pulverized. Tens of thousands of cochineals are needed to produce just a few grams of dye. (INCI Name: Carmines).
- Keratin: This is a protein derived from animal hair and horns and is often found in products designed to strengthen nails and hair, including nail polishes. Vegan alternatives to this ingredient are derived from soy and almond oil. (INCI Name: Hydrolyzed Keratin).
- Guanine: This is a pearly white dye, listed in the INCI with the code CI 75170 and can be of animal origin if derived from fish scales. Its derivation may also be synthetic, but to be sure, it is necessary to contact the manufacturing company directly. (INCI Name: Guanine).
Another less common but still a possible non-vegan ingredient in nail polishes is lanolin, which is derived from sheep’s wool and used for its emulsifying action. (INCI Name: Lanolin).
Vegan Nail Polishes? It’s Possible!
All these ingredients are not essential for producing a good nail product. In fact, more and more companies are producing vegan nail polishes in response to the increasing market demand. Besides being ethically better, these products are most often accompanied by non-toxic formulations that are as “green” as possible, making them better for consumers’ health.
To recognize vegan nail polishes, avoid products listing these ingredients in the INCI or rely on products with a vegan certification logo.
