“I don’t need another nail polish – said no women ever.” Clean, trimmed, buffed and perfectly polished nails are the synonym of beauty and class in the women’s’ world. Polished nails can make any old outfit look new if the colours complement each other. Also, they bring life to a dull combination of outfit colours and shake things up a little bit more. Simply put, everything is better with a neat coloured look of your nails.
A Threat
However, the market is full of nail polishes that pose huge threats to your health. Dangerous nail polishes contain very toxic ingredients which are recommended to avoid them at all costs. Even though they give off the smooth, shiny look of the nails, when it comes to your health, you can’t risk it. Here is a closer look at these ingredients that must be avoided.
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)
This dangerous chemical is a plasticizer that improves the polish durability; however, it is one of the suspected endocrine disruptors. This means that it interferes with the normal functioning of hormones. Even scarier is the fact that DBP leads to fertility issues and birth defects, as it was found out in a recent study. Furthermore, DBP as an ingredient in personal care products is banned in many countries all over the world. And last but not least, it can clog your arteries.
Toluene
This chemical is responsible for the smoothness of the polish. It is a derivate of petroleum or coal tar and can commonly be found in varnishes, glues, gasoline, and, unfortunately, nail polishes. The toluene causes nausea, dizziness and irritates the skin, eyes and lungs. Also, if a person is exposed to it for a prolonged time it can lead to anaemia, liver and kidney damage, as well as decreased blood cell count and scariest of all, it can affect the developing baby during pregnancy.
Formaldehyde
This toxic preservative is used to harden the polish and keep it fresh for a long time. It is also used to embalm dead bodies. It is highly carcinogen chemical as there is an established connection between formaldehyde exposure and some types of cancer. In Canada its use is prohibited, however, the FDA hasn’t prohibited it, so it is up to the consumers to decide whether they are going to use it or not.
Read about 4 more dangerous ingredients on the next page.
