Non Toxic Nail Polish

It's Summer time and that means it's time to get out your favourite pair of flip flops.
Whether you're into manicures or pedicures at home or in a salon there are lots of colours to choose from.  Unfortunately many of those nail polish brands contain all sorts of chemicals that are not so good for us. Some of these chemicals can cause nail damage as well as allergic reactions.
I have only ever been able to wear regular nail polish on my toes. If I tried to use it on my finger nails it would significantly damage them.  Within just an hour my finger nails would become very soft and "bendy" (normally they are long and quite strong).  If I left the polish on for more than half a day they would become brittle with peeling and discoloration. It would take several months for them to return to normal.
  So what kind of chemicals can be found in your typical nail polish?  I've listed just a few here to give you an idea.
Dibutyl phthalte  - Health Canada actually banned several phthalates like DBP in "soft vinyl childrens toys" but it's still allowed and used in cosmetics. The EU actually classified DBP as very toxic.*
Formaldehyde - The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies this chemical as a known carcinogen.*
Toluene - This chemical is a developmental toxicity hazard.  It can cause skin irritation, dermatitis and if inhaled the vapours can result in headaches and irritation of the throat, nose and respiratory tract.*
Several years ago I found a non toxic nail polish that I really loved, it was chip resistant, lasted weeks, (up to 4 weeks on my toes) didn't cause my nails to yellow and it was toluene, formaldehyde, camphor, and dibutyl pthalate (DBP) free.
Since then I've noticed more and more non toxic options becoming available for both adults and kids.  I've found most of them online and thought I would share just a few of the brands that are available.

Piggy Paint is a non-toxic water based nail polish for kids (Don't you just love the name!).
It's low odor, Hypoallergenic and safe to use during pregnancy.
The same company also came out with a line for adults called SOPHi which is also low odor, hypoallergenic, and safe to use during pregnancy.  It's also completely free of toluene, formaldehyde, phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), ethyl acetate, and pthalate.

Suncoat Girl water based nail polish uses mineral based pigments and it's "virtually odor free".  It doesn't contain Tuluene, Phthalate plasticizers, Formaldehyde, Alcohol, Acetates, Glycol ethers, or FD&C dyes, and it's 100% VOC free. (This product was actually created by a mom of two girls who just happened to be a chemist.)  The best part is that you don't need nail polish remover to take it off.  Just peel off when ready.

Shu Shu Paint is another non-toxic water based nail polish designed for kids that doesn't need nail polish remover (it just peels off).  It's odor free and free from Toluene, Formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Mineral Fusion nail polish is long lasting and chip resistant.  It doesn't contain Toluene, Camphor, Formaldehyde, or dibuttyl phthalate (DBP).

The Exotic Animals nail polish is vegan and toxic free.  It's free from Camphor, DBP, Formaldehyde, Parabens, Toluene.

Pure Anada Nail Polish doesn't contain Dibutyl Phthalate, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, Tuluene, or Camphor.

Pacific 7 Free Nail Polish is long lasting and free of  Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, phthalates, Toluene, Xylene, Parabens, and camphor.

Butter London nail lacquer is free of Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin, DBP, Camphor, Toluene, Ethyl tosalimide, and xylene.

Essie Nail Polish is Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP free.

Sources:  (Product websites)
   well.ca
* davidsuzuki.org/queen-of-green/choose-non-toxic-nail-polish/