If you’ve been paying attention to the clean beauty movement, you’ll know that brands have steadily been incorporating more ethical practices and streamlined ingredients into their products. However, different brands have different standards and ingredients they use to define “clean.”
Some of these brands choose to leave out ingredients banned by the European Union, which has stricter cosmetics regulations than the United States. As of September 1, 2025, Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator found in many gel nail polishes, can no longer be sold or used by nail technicians in the EU.
Why?
"In 2014, the EU determined that TPO ingredient had suspected carcinogenic or reproductive toxicity and limited the percentage used to lower than 5%," explains Dr. Michelle Henry, a board-certified dermatologist and TODAY Show contributor. "In 2023, new studies were introduced, leading to this ban. These studies showed evidence of reproductive toxicity in animals when used in high doses," she adds.
While the U.S. has not banned gel polish with TPO, there are still plenty of nontoxic options on the market if you prefer to go clean. Keep scrolling to find the best expert-recommended and editor-tested nontoxic nail polishes to shop now — starting at only $1.
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Is gel nail polish with TPO safe?
Due to the EU's recent ban on TPO, you may be asking yourself, "Is gel nail polish safe?" In this case, it is important to note the differences in regulations between the U.S. and Europe.
"The EU takes a hazard-based approach to regulation," notes Henry. "This means they look at the intrinsic properties of the ingredient to make decisions. Whereas in the States, we take a risk-based approach based on the real-world exposure and risk. That requires more robust studies to come up with a definitive answer."
However, Kelly Dobos, a consultant cosmetic chemist, previously told Shop TODAY that there is little to no reason to support risks to fertility or overall health due to the use of gel polish with TPO.
“In the gel nail system, TPO is applied to the nail, which is made of densely packed keratin, and cured into a solid matrix, significantly limiting systemic exposure,” states Dobos.
Dr. Brendan Camp, a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, reiterates that this doesn't mean all gel polishes are banned. He says TPO-free formulas are still okay to use. "It’s a precautionary measure to reduce exposure to certain chemicals," he explains.
What does it mean to be a “clean” nail polish?
Some phrases might initially jump out at you when you’re shopping for nontoxic nail polish for the first time. To help you get better acquainted, here’s a glossary of the most common terms you should know:
3-free indicates that a product is made without the three most toxic chemicals most often found in traditional nail polishes: formaldehyde (an ingredient that prevents polish chipping but is a potential carcinogen); toluene (a polish solvent that may also be a neurotoxin); and dibutyl phthalate (a chemical that makes polish flexible and chip-free, but is banned by the EU for possible reproductive harm).
7-free polishes don’t contain the “toxic trio,” along with controversial additives like formaldehyde resin (which forms a strong coating on your nails but could cause respiratory issues); camphor (a chemical that creates a glossy sheen but could cause headaches or dizziness); ethyl tosylamide (which acts as a film former but is also banned in the EU for being antibiotic resistant); and xylene (an ingredient which thins out nail polish that could cause damage to the central nervous system).
10-free polish not only excludes the harmful chemicals mentioned above, but it also leaves out parabens (preservatives that prevent bacteria growth but can mimic estrogen in the body, causing reproductive harm) along with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (which aids in the plasticization process and can be toxic if it enters your bloodstream) and animal by-products from their formulas.
Plant-based nail polishes are made with 100% natural ingredients. Many brands even make sure the polish brush is all-natural, too.
Leaping Bunny certified is a trusted label that goes to products and brands that have strict cruelty-free procedures and policies in place, including verifying that they never test on animals.
The best expert-recommended and editor-tested nontoxic nail polishes
This vegan and cruelty-free brand has beautiful shades like "Beach Resort Blue" and "Honeymoon Bliss" at an affordable price. I [Barr] loved the little elephant on the bottle and fell deeper in love with the diverse colors. The polishes are relatively affordable and they even have a soy-based nail polish remover that is incredibly soft on nails while still being effective.
"OPI is a well-known, reputable brand loved for its wide range of colors and smooth application," explains Camp. "It does not contain trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), making it a safer choice for gel-style manicures."
I [Barr] love that this nontoxic polish is incredibly long-wearing, and that there are dozens of shades to choose from. They also sell tons of accessories for the perfect at-home mani, like a wider brush for more stability, hand creams, base and top coats and more.
"This polish gives a vibrant, glossy finish while remaining free of TPO," notes Camp. "It’s a great option for those looking for a fun, nontoxic nail color that’s safe to use regularly."
“International companies may choose to transition to non-TPO or EU-compliant formulations,” says Henry. One of those brands is Aprés Gel Couleur, which is a TPO-free gel polish that is suitable for most skin types. This high-pigment formula provides full coverage and easy soak-off, according to the brand.
Côte is a non-toxic nail polish company with beautiful, sleek packaging and even more beautiful colors. With dozens of shades in mattes and shimmers, I [Barr] could change my polish every week and not run out of new colors.
“My daughter is about to get married, and I needed something for my nails to make them look better for the wedding,” explained Shop TODAY contributing writer Colleen Sullivan. “I was intrigued by this product because it identified as a tint with moisturizers and because the shades were all natural-looking.”
The butter LONDON Sheer Wisdom Nail Tinted Moisturizer "also features keratin, which forms a protective seal over the nails, and tea tree oil, which has been shown to fight off fungal infections," said Sullivan. "It was also created without harsh ingredients like dibutyl phthalate, toluene or formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, TPHP and Xylene, making it a healthier formula for the nails and surrounding skin."
"I used to get the same light pink color every time I got a mani/pedi, but changed ever since i tried Dermelect’s LUMINOUS polish," says associate editor Lauren Witonsky. "Not only is it the perfect nude (with a hint of iridescence), but it also acts as a treatment to strengthen nails. Now I switch between the two to keep my nails looking and feeling healthy!" she raves.
These polishes are vegan, cruelty-free and have 73% plant-based ingredients. The collection has everyday neutrals as well as vibrant colors like “Time for a Reset” coral and “Soul Surfing” periwinkle. On application, I [Barr] noticed I only needed one coat to get the job done without chipping. They dried down quickly and maintained their shine. I also liked that the applicator had a wide top, making it easier to grip when applying polish.
If you consider yourself an at-home manicurist, you’ve probably seen Olive and June on your Instagram feed (and on Shop TODAY). They have a huge range of colors, including work-themed fall hues like "Dream Job" and "Clocking Out Early," and they are vegan and cruelty-free. Olive and June have tons of little innovations that definitely helped me [Barr] create less mess. Their brushes are wide and they have a patented bottle handle called The Poppy that gives me an easy stroke of polish.
More nontoxic nail polish to shop
Pacifica makes a lot of my [Barr] favorite natural skin care and makeup products, so it makes sense for them to branch out into nail polish. These clean polishes are 16-free, plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free. There are 21 shades to choose from, ranging from mattes to sparkly shades, as well as two toppers: one matte and one shimmer, so you can change up how your polish looks.
Sally Hansen is one of America’s most beloved and accessible nail polish brands, and this 16-free, vegan and plant-based polish is no exception. With 23 glossy colors to choose from, it’s exciting that a big brand made this step into the cleaner nail polish space. They also have a great top coat to go with the polish.
This brand has a mouthful of benefits like being vegan, plant-based, cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified. Even more impressive is that the polish is enriched with vitamins A and B5, biotin and calcium. So many nail polishes strip our nails, so to see a polish that puts vitamins back in is exciting. Plus, there are 10 colors to choose from!
Sundays is an amazing salon in New York City, and even their bottled polishes feel like a spa day. From crisp packaging to inviting colors perfect for fall, their 10-free and vegan polishes are a real treat-yourself moment. I also love that they sell sets of polish as a cute gift for your bestie or even yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Something clean brands have in common is that they have a wide range of polish colors and finishes that perform as well as the nail care you’re used to, without the worry of using potentially harmful ingredients. They come off just as easily as other polishes you’ve tried, as well. If you have sensitive skin, nontoxic nail polish may also deliver a lower risk of developing contact dermatitis.
How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best nontoxic nail polish by enlisting the recommendations of board-certified dermatologists as well as cosmetic chemists and a nail industry expert. We also used our own personal experiences with products and brands to make shopping easier for our readers.
As an editorial team, we independently create content and determine coverage based on research, reporting and what we think TODAY.com readers would like to read about. The goal of our content is to provide a service and inform readers who are on the hunt for the latest products to help make their life better. Items are sold by retailer, not TODAY. Pricing and availability are accurate as of publish time.
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Meet the experts
- Dr. Michelle Henry is a board-certified dermatologist and TODAY Show contributor.
- Kelly A. Dobos is a consultant cosmetic chemist and adjunct professor of cosmetic science at the University of Cincinnati.
- Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist in dermatology and dermatopathology at MDCS Dermatology: Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery.
