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Summary
Zoya Nail Lacquer was my top pick of all the non-toxic nail polishes based on my physical wear testing and toxicity-based comparison of Essie, Habit, Poderm, Sophi, Sally Hansen Good.Kind.Pure, Ella + Mila and Pacifica.
Zoya lasted longer than any of the other brands that I tried.
I tried their main nail lacquer, which is their main nail polish line, and one of the protective clear coats.
The iridescent nail lacquer lasted a full three days without chipping.
In terms of toxicity, Zoya has the low-toxin solvents that just about all non-toxic nail polishes use.
The only other alternative is water-based nail polish which in my testing so far, doesn’t really last.
In terms of endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, their main nail polish line does not contain any known chemicals in these categories in normal use (without ingestion or breathing in the dust).
My Chemical-Free House’s toxicity ranking based on my criteria below is 18 out of 20 (the missing two is those solvents).
They use plastic-free glitter. Vegan, cruelty-free.
My Toxicity Ranking Criteria
I rank nail polishes with a clean ingredients score out of 20, based on how many of the following ingredients they have removed:
My 20-free criteria: formaldehyde (any type), bronopol, phthalates (the whole class, including DBP, DEP, DMP, BBP, DEHP, DINP, DnOP etc.), camphor, ethyl tosylamide/tosylamide/p-toluenesulfonamide, xylene, triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), parabens, alcohols, MEK, acetone, alkyl acetate esters (butyl Acetate, ethyl Acetate), heptane, toluene, octocrylene, E-series glycol ethers, synthetic fragrance, benzophenones (PBT/BP-1, Oxybenzone, etc.), isothiazolinones (MIT, BIT etc.), ethoxylated ingredients (non-E-series) due to potential contamination with trace 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide.
Zoya’s main color line (Nail Lacquer) is 18/20. The ingredients it contains are the acetate esters and alcohol.
Please note that this is my personal “free of” rating system based on my opinion and experience, and input from Dr. Mudgal, our resident toxicologist. This rating system is not standardized in the industry, though it is similar to many “free of” lists (those free-of lists are not standardized either). Our evaluation is not based on an individualized toxicity reports of each brand.
Our criteria list is ingredients that can be:
- Considered problematic in regular use (so not counting sanding/dust or ingestion).
- Actually exist in nail polish.
- Are possible to eliminate.
A closer review of these potentially problematic ingredients that we used to rank all nail polishes we tested is here.
Review & Wear Tests of Zoya Nail Lacquer
My Chemical-Free House “Free of” Rating: 18/20 for Zoya’s main line of nail polish called Nail Lacquer.
Toxicity comparison: Zoya Nail Lacquer has no acetone, just the more common acetate esters and alcohols.
Almost all the non-toxic brands out there contain these two classes of solvents.
These solvents have lower toxicity compared to aromatic solvents like toluene or xylene, but are still respiratory irritants, says Dr. Mudgal.
There are a couple of brands that use water or Propylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether as the solvents, but those didn’t really function for me like a normal nail polish.
The ones I tried did not make it through a day, and some are only marketed at kids since they are not that durable.
Ingredient list (for their main line Nail Lacquer – all colors): Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Sterikonium Hectroite, Acrylates Copolymer, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer. Pigments not listed.
Ingredients still present: Contains the following solvents: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, and Isopropyl Alcohol.
A lower-toxin solvent list (compared to other options for nail polish).
Sniff Test: I would say it is a little less odorous than Essie and I experience it as less odorous than nail polish with acetone.
And although it is solvent-based it flashes off quite fast.
I have used Zoya since I was moderately chemically sensitive.
Other: Vegan, cruelty-free; plastic-free glitter (uses mica).
Wear test for the iridescent color: It made it three days before it began to chip. Though it was minor and could have been touched up.
By day 4, it was significantly chipped (I did not touch it up on day 3).
I did not use a base coat or top coat.
This color of Zoya Nail Lacquer lasted longer than the other non-toxic brands that I tested. No other non-toxic brand that I tested made it 3 days.
Though the red only made it 24 hours, and could have made it to about 48 hours with a touchup.
Many other brands made it 24 hours or less, while two made it 2 days.
Wear test for Zoya red: I also tested Zoya’s pinkish red called Carmen because I want to test out a solid color.
This red leans pink in real life but looks like a pure red or orange-red in photos.
I applied 2 coats on my right hand (because they were thick coats) and 3 coats on my left hand.
On my right hand I had a significant chip at 24 hours. That could have been touched up.
But at 48 hours many nails were minorly chipped. That also could have been touched up to extend it for that day but I was not as happy with this solid color and how long it lasted.
Review & Wear Test for Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector line
My Chemical-Free House “Free of” Rating: 18/20
Ingredient list (for the Naked Manicure Perfector line): Pink: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Stearakonium Bentonite, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Benzephenone-1, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ginkgo, Palmaria Palmata. May Contain: CI 77891, 15850, 19140, 77491, 77266, 77742.
Ingredients still present: contains Benzophenone-1 – the evidence supports genotoxicity and endocrine activity, specifically estrogenic activity, weak anti-androgenic activity, and possible thyroid-related activity (source).
Plus the usual less toxic solvents.
My wear test for Zoya clear polish:
I tested Zoya Naked Manicure Perfector.
This is their more ideal line if you want a clear coat.
I tested the Pink Perfector in two coats.
There are different tones that you can use to tone the nails or cancel out colors in the nails (the purple cancels yellowish nails).
The pink that I used does look more pink and milky in real life than in the photo below.
I had a small chip at 24 hours but I still continued to wear it until day 4 when it was noticeable chipped.
(Zoya’s Naked Manicure Nail Base can also be used on it’s own, it’s not high gloss though.)
Zoya Other Lines
These chemicals in nail polish – Octocrylene, Benzophenone-1, and Triphenyl Phosphate – don’t necessarily have a high risk in this application, especially since they are not applied to the skin (only a little bit might get on the skin around the nail), says Dr. Mudgal.
They are on my 20-free list because there is data that these chemicals are or can be endocrine disrupters.
This does not mean that these nail polish lines are objectively more toxic overall, says Dr. Mudgal.
1. Zoya Naked Manicure Glossy Topcoat
My Chemical-Free House “Free of” Rating: 17/20
Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Propyl Acetate, Acrylates Copolymer, Dipropylene Glycol Dibenzoate, Octocrylene, Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin, Violet 2 (CI 60725).
Ingredients still present: Octocrylene – studies suggest potential endocrine activity and benzophenone formation on UV exposure. Risk depends on concentration and skin absorption, which is very minimal in nail polish, says Dr. Mudgal (source).
Plus the usual less toxic solvents.
2. Naked Manicure Satin Seal Top Coat
My Chemical-Free House “Free of” Rating: 17/20
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Nitrocellulose, Acrylates Copolymer, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Benzophenone-1, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Polyvinyl Butyral, 60725.
Ingredients still present: contains Benzophenone-1 – the evidence supports genotoxicity and endocrine activity, specifically estrogenic activity, weak anti-androgenic activity, and possible thyroid-related activity (source).
Plus the usual less toxic solvents.
3. Naked Manicure Naked Base Coat
My Chemical-Free House “Free of” Rating: 16/20
Ingredients: Ethyl Acetate, Alcohol, Butyl Acetate, Heptane, Nitrocellulose, Tosylamide/Epoxy Resin, Polyvinyl Butyral, Triphenyl Phosphate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Acrylates/Dimethiconol/Mercaptopropionic Acid, Sunflower Oil, Garlic Ext, 60725.
Ingredients still present: The usual less toxic solvents plus heptane, plus Triphenyl Phosphate, a potential endocrine disruptor (source).
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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