Caleb Foster
Sally Hansen is a popular nail polish brand that offers a wide range of shades and benefits, including chip-resistance, quick-drying formulas, and plant-based ingredients. The brand's nail polishes are known for providing professional salon results at home, with their gel nail polishes offering up to two weeks of wear without chipping. However, there has been some concern regarding the presence of toxic chemicals in their products. Toluene, a chemical used in nail polishes to achieve a smooth application and finish, has been a particular point of interest due to its potential health hazards. So, does Sally Hansen gel nail polish contain toluene?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Butyl and Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Aqua, Isopropyl Alcohol, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, and Silica |
| Contains toulene | No |
| Contains DBP | No |
| Contains formaldehyde | No |
| Contains parabens | Yes |
| Contains Methylparaben | Yes |
| Contains Propylparaben | Yes |
| Contains camphor | No |
| Contains xylene | No |
| Contains ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin | No |
| Contains TPHP | No |
| Contains Bisphenol A | No |
| Contains sulfate | No |
| Number of shades | Over 500 |
| Chip-resistant | Yes |
| Quick-drying | Yes |
| Plant-based ingredients | Yes |
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$9.99
What You'll Learn
Sally Hansen's nail polishes are mostly '3-free'
Most Sally Hansen nail polishes are 3-free, meaning they are free of the three most toxic chemicals found in nail polishes: dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. Toluene, in particular, is a chemical used in nail polish to achieve a smooth application and finish. However, its fumes are highly toxic and can affect brain function, impair breathing, cause hearing loss and nausea, and even lead to neurological damage.
The brand has also launched the Good. Kind. Pure collection, a line of plant-based, 100% vegan nail polishes that are touted as 16-free. This range does not contain 16 harmful chemicals, including toluene, formaldehyde, xylene, acetone, camphor, parabens, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate, animal-derived ingredients, styrene, synthetic fragrance, silicone, bisphenol A, glycol ethers derived from ethylene oxide, nonylphenol ethoxylate, and sulfates.
The 16-free Good. Kind. Pure collection includes 30 shades of color, a top coat, and a hardener. The top coat provides a protective, glossy seal over the colored polish, while the hardener is designed to improve the look of ridges and protect against breakage.
While Sally Hansen's nail polishes are mostly 3-free, it's important to note that some of their products do contain parabens. For example, the 'Miracle Gel It Takes Two' and 'Insta-Dri' nail paints contain Methylparaben and Propylparaben.
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Toluene is a toxic chemical used in nail polish
Toluene is a toxic chemical that has been used in nail polishes, including those made by Sally Hansen. It is used to suspend the colour and create a smooth finish. However, it is highly toxic, and exposure to its fumes can affect brain function, cause hearing loss and nausea, and even lead to neurological damage. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to toluene can result in neurotoxic symptoms, hearing and colour vision damage, and reduced cognitive and neuromuscular function.
In recent years, there has been a push to remove toluene from nail polishes, and some major brands, including Sally Hansen, have stopped using it in their formulas. The Good. Kind. Pure collection by Sally Hansen, launched in 2020, is advertised as being free of 16 harmful chemicals, including toluene.
Toluene is also known to cause temporary side effects such as headaches, dizziness, and cracked skin. It is especially dangerous for pregnant women and nail salon workers, who may be exposed to high levels of the chemical over long shifts in poorly ventilated spaces.
The term "non-toxic" in cosmetics, and nail polishes in particular, can be difficult to interpret. "Five-free" nail polishes are those that do not contain five specific toxic ingredients: formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde resin, and camphor. While these polishes may be a good alternative for those wishing to avoid specific chemicals, the health benefits are uncertain due to a lack of strong research data.
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Toluene fumes can affect brain function
Toluene is a chemical used in nail polish to create a smooth application and finish. However, it is important to note that toluene fumes are highly toxic and can have significant effects on brain function.
In recent years, toluene, also known as methylbenzene, has been identified as one of the most well-studied neurotoxins. Prolonged and intense exposure to toluene vapours can severely impact the central nervous system, particularly the myelin. This can lead to a devastating neurological disorder characterised by a range of symptoms, including cognitive impairments.
Chronic exposure to toluene can result in a condition known as toluene leukoencephalopathy, which is associated with dementia and other neurobehavioral deficits. The disorder can be detected through a combination of clinical symptoms, detailed neurobehavioral evaluations, and brain magnetic resonance imaging.
The impact of toluene abuse on brain function has been observed in both human and animal studies. It can cause persistent increases in Nogo-A-positive cells and dynamic reductions in oligodendroglia lineage cells in white matter regions, leading to neurological damage. Additionally, toluene exposure has been linked to teratogenic effects, affecting brain development and function in fetuses and young children.
To minimise the potential risks associated with toluene exposure, it is important to choose nail polishes that are toluene-free. Several nail polish brands, including Sally Hansen, have introduced nail colours that are free of toluene and other toxic chemicals, offering a safer alternative for consumers concerned about the potential health risks.
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Sally Hansen's 'Good. Kind. Pure' collection is '16-free'
Most Sally Hansen nail polishes are considered '3-free', meaning they do not contain dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, or formaldehyde—the three most toxic chemicals that can be added to nail polishes. Toluene, in particular, is a chemical used in nail polish to achieve a smooth finish, but its fumes are highly toxic and can affect brain function, impair breathing, cause hearing loss, nausea, and even neurological damage.
However, Sally Hansen also offers its 16-free Good. Kind. Pure collection, which is free of 16 harmful chemicals found in traditional nail polishes. The range includes 30 shades that are free of parabens, xylene, ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin, TPHP, camphor, toluene, Bisphenol A, and sulfates. The Good. Kind. Pure collection also boasts a smooth application and pretty colours, as well as a wide brush for easy painting.
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3-free nail polishes don't contain DBP, toluene, or formaldehyde
The three most common toxic chemicals found in nail polishes are dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. DBP is a plasticizer that makes nail polish flexible, toluene is a solvent that creates a smooth application and finish, and formaldehyde is used as a preservative and to harden nails. While there is no credible evidence that DBP is harmful in nail polishes, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and toluene has been linked to a range of health issues, including hearing loss, nausea, and neurological damage.
As a result, many nail polish brands now offer "3-free" nail polishes, which are free of these three chemicals. For example, Adoree offers a range of nail polishes and treatments that are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP.
Sally Hansen, another popular nail polish brand, also offers 3-free nail polishes. Their nail paints are free of DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde, the three most toxic chemicals found in nail polishes. In addition, Sally Hansen launched a 16-free Good. Kind. Pure collection in 2020, which is completely vegan and free of 16 harmful chemicals, including toluene, parabens, xylene, ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin, TPHP, camphor, Bisphenol A, and sulfate.
It is important to note that the term "natural" when applied to nail polishes is a marketing term that is not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, it is important to carefully read the ingredient lists of nail polishes and be cautious about the products used, especially if you are pregnant or have young children who may put their hands in their mouths.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Sally Hansen nail polishes do not contain the deadly trio of dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde.
Toluene is a chemical used in nail polish to create a smooth application and finish. However, its fumes are highly toxic and can affect brain function, impair breathing, cause hearing loss, and induce nausea and neurological damage.
Yes, Sally Hansen nail polishes do contain TPHP, epoxy resin, and parabens, which are harmful to pregnant women.
Yes, the Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure collection is 16-free and completely vegan. This collection does not contain harmful chemicals such as parabens, xylene, ethyl tosylamide/epoxy resin, TPHP, camphor, toluene, Bisphenol A, and sulfate.
Yes, there are other nail polish brands that offer 5-free or 7-free nail polishes, which do not contain toluene, DBP, or formaldehyde, as well as other toxic chemicals. Some brands to look for include Zoya, Suncoat, and Karma Organic.
