If you were looking for a reason to ditch your gel manicure, now might be just the time to switch to nontoxic nail polish. Concerns over the potential harms of gel formulas are nothing new, but earlier this month, the European Union officially banned the use of an ingredient that’s found in — and essential to the efficacy of — many gel polishes, identifying the chemical trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO, as a type of “reproductive toxicant.” In its announcement, the European Commission cited clinical studies that showed reduced fertility in animals ingesting high levels of TPO.
To be clear, this is not a complete ban on these polish systems. And, it’s important to note that not all experts agree with the accuracy of these findings. However, nontoxic nail polishes might be a good idea anyway — they’re not only an alternative to gels but also the conventional drugstore brands you picked up in your youth. While those classic nail lacquers remain widely used and FDA-approved, some still contain trace amounts of chemicals like toluene or formaldehyde-related compoundswhich has raised questions about them potential impact on long-term health. Although more research is needed, these concerns have prompted a shift towards formulations labeled as “3-free,” “7-free” or even “10-free” — indicating they are made without certain controversial ingredients.
In researching this story over the past few months, I began to see nontoxic nail polishes as less crunchy-hippie-unnecessary and a lot more mainstream-appealing. Especially since these products have become just so good. In the past, non-toxic nail products were inferior in almost all ways to their conventional counterparts, swiping on streaky with bland color options and annoyingly short wear times. But innovations in nail care mean you can now find non-toxic polish alternatives in a range of coveted shades and — as with our top pick below from Dazzle Dry — with sturdy and long-lasting finishes too.
Over the past year, I’ve consulted with some true nail pros and tested more than a dozen nontoxic nail polishes. The following are my expert-approved picks for the best of the year.
Table of contents
The best non-toxic nail polish of 2025
Other top nontoxic nail polishes we recommend for 2025
How we tested nontoxic nail polishes
Nontoxic nail polishes we tested that didn’t make the cut
The best non-toxic nail polish of 2025
Dazzle Dry
Shades: 150+ | Finish options: Cream, iridescent, iridescent, metallic, glitter, pearl, satin, clear | Cruelty-free: Yes
My personal biggest issue with non-gel manicures is how quickly they chip (I am but a clumsy lady with bear paws, I need a long-wearing nail polish!), but Dazzle Dry’s four-step system (prep, undercoat, polish, top coat) is the only nontoxic nail formula I’ve encountered that has the longevity of gels without the potential harm.
“Natural or ‘clean’ polishes tend to wear off faster than conventional formulas, but Dazzle Dry is an exception because it’s formulated for durability,” he explains Mazz Hannaaward-winning celebrity manicurist and CEO of the nail talent and training agency, Nailing Hollywood. “When applied correctly, it can last anywhere from seven to 14 days without chipping, which is impressive for a non-gel, nontoxic polish.”
Not only are Dazzle Dry polishes long-lasting but they’re also conveniently fast-drying — mine were hard enough to type, drive and wash my hands within four minutes.
“Unlike traditional polishes, which rely on slow-drying solvents, Dazzle Dry uses a quick-drying formula that air cures in about five minutes without needing a UV or LED lamp,” says Hanna. “It’s truly an innovative formula that I recommend to everyone!”
Dazzle Dry products are 14-free, meaning they don’t include 14 of the top, harshest chemicals found in conventional polishes, including the exclusion of nitrocellulose, which often leaves a yellow stain on your nails.
Although the four-step process is a bit tedious, if you’re an at-home polisher, the results were, from my experience, worth it. Best of all, when you’re through with your color, you don’t have to head to the salon to have Dazzle Dry soaked off like you do with a gel or dip system; the polish comes off easily with a standard remover. Last, while the initial “system” cost is a little pricey at $39, the polishes themselves are just $13 (I am extremely into “Red Hot Chile” for spring).
Amazon reviewers are also besotted with Dazzle Dry — the line has racked up nearly 2,000 five-star reviews: “I am 56 years old and painted my own nails my whole life,” says one happy customer. “Have tried every polish under the sun. No matter what I used, I would be lucky to get 24 hours before something would chip. So grateful for a product that stays much longer, dries super fast and comes off with regular remover. The Loven this product. Only wish there were more color options to choose from!”
- Longest-lasting nontoxic polish we tested
- Quick drying
- Hypoallergenic
- 14-free formula
- 150 shade range
- Removes easily
- Won’t “yellow” nails
- System as a whole is expensive
- Some users complain of thick polish texture
- Four-step system is time consuming
Other top nontoxic nail polishes we recommend for 2025
ZOYA
Shades: 600+ | Finish options: Cream, matte, metallic, satin, pearl, glitter, iridescent, clear | Cruelty-free: Yes
Zoya is a veteran player in the nontoxic polish game, having arrived on the scene all the way back 1986. Since then, the company has developed a vast array of color options and polish finishes — truly, the most impressive of any brand I’ve seen — while remaining vegan and 10-free. It’s also a favorite of most every nail technician I’ve interviewed and can be found in many spas and salons.
The one major downside is the finishes don’t last as long as gels, a complaint you can get around by choosing a glitter option (like this shimmery navy-blue “Dream”), which tends to stay put longer — mine lasted almost two weeks.
- Incredible shade range
- Precise brush
- 10-free formula
- Easy availability
- Most chip finishes
- The formula is thick
surprise
Shades: 60+ | Finish options: Clear, sheer, semi-sheer, opaque, glitter, metallic | Cruelty-free: Yes
Habit makes my second favorite of all the nontoxic nail polishes I tried. Mainly because its shades are incredibly cool and modern (I would seriously use them all). Plus, the sustainably-made bottles could not possibly be cuter.
These polishes are completely toxin-free, vegan and leaping-bunny certified and contain skin-fortifying ingredients like myrrh extract to help strengthen nails. The downside here is that they are not long-lasting, but with this many good colors to choose from, you’ll want to frequently mix things up.
- Shades are cool and modern
- The formula is chemical-free, vegan and cruelty-free
- Packaging is sustainable
- The formula is fortified with myrrh and hibiscus extract to strengthen nails
- Not long wearing
- Colors are slightly less vibrant in person
Nailtopia
Shades: 70 | Finish options: Metallic, cream | Cruelty-free: Yes
The most “natural” of all our nontoxic nail lacquer picks, Nailtopia’s version is made with food-grade ingredients such as raspberries and spinach, along with a plant-based protein specially formulated to strengthen nails. Given the fact that it’s completely chemical-free and plant-based, the shade options are wildly impressive.
It’s the best option for kids and those with extremely sensitive skin, even if the color is not as saturated as you want in a polish and it takes a while to dry.
- Eco-friendly ingredient sourcing
- Good for sensitive skin
- Completely toxin-free
- Expansive shade range
- Pigment requires several coats to look opaque
- Slow-drying
How we tested nontoxic nail polishes
I consulted with nail technicians along with TikTok and Reddit threads and hundreds of Amazon reviews to identify the top dozen nontoxic nail polish brands. I tried them on my own nails and rated them on ease of use, dry time, pigment quality, value and how long each lasted without chipping.
Nontoxic nail polishes we tested that didn’t make the cut
I tried Gucci’s extremely fancy, $35 “nontoxic” polish and not only was it barely nontoxic (it just cracks 3-free) it was also streaky and hard to apply. Similarly, the pigments in Essie’s nontoxic Love line were extremely weak.
Nontoxic nail polish FAQ
How do I know if a nail polish is nontoxic?
Nontoxic nail polishes are typically labeled by how many potentially harmful chemicals they contain don’t contain — a shorthand known as “X-free” formulas.
For example, many conventional polishes today are at least 3-free, meaning they’re made without dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene and formaldehyde — three ingredients that have raised health and environmental concerns.
From there, the numbers climb: 5-free, 7-free, even 15-free polishes exclude additional ingredients like formaldehyde resin, camphor, ethyl tosylamide and parabens. While there’s no universal standard or regulatory definition for these labels — in fact, the term “nontoxic” itself isn’t regulated and therefore does not have a standard definition — they can still offer a useful guideline for shoppers who want to minimize exposure to certain chemicals.
If you’re aiming for the cleanest formulas possible, opt for polishes with higher “free” numbers or, in some cases, like two of our top picks, those that market themselves as completely free of synthetic chemicals. Just keep in mind that “nontoxic” doesn’t always mean 100% risk-free — but it does reflect a growing demand for safer, more transparent beauty products.
What should I look for in a nontoxic nail polish?
Most experts I spoke with suggest seeking out products that are 5-free or higher — my top pick from Dazzle Dry is 14-free and there are loads of options that are also plant-based and vegan, if that’s important to you.
Will nontoxic nail polish expire faster than regular nail polish?
Although there’s usually no set expiration date, due to a lack of chemical preservatives, nontoxic nail polishes will most likely expire at least slightly more rapidly than regular nail treatments. If you notice the product has separated, even after you shake it, it’s probably time to give it a toss. Even if an expired nail polish is not harmful, it will be less effective and your color will appear uneven.
Meet our expert
Mazz Hannaaward-winning celebrity manicurist and CEO of the nail talent and training agency, Nailing Hollywood.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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