The Welpr Rating is determined by a scoring formula. The formula takes into account the products safety, user satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing. Click here to learn more.

What we look for:

  • Safer monomers like PEMA & EMA, with clear disclosure of ingredients and formulations
  • Free from formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, benzophenone-1, and other common toxins
  • No synthetic fragrance, unapproved dyes, or undisclosed ingredients
  • “X-free” claims (like 10-free or 21-free) verified against the full ingredient list
  • Third-party certifications when available

Not all products in this category are Welpr Approved, but they’re safer than most. The ones that meet our full standard will have the Welpr Approved tag. View our full standards here.

Our Methodology and Ratings

Find Non-Toxic Acrylic Powder

Acrylic Powder for Nails - Joya Mia

Acrylic Powder for Nails - Joya Mia
Welpr Rating
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Welpr rating icon
4.75
/5
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Highlights

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This product is free from harsh sulfates like SLS and SLES, which can strip skin and scalp and trigger irritation.
This product is free from phthalates, a type of plasticizer linked to hormone disruption and reduced fertility.
This product is free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, preservatives that release toxic gas linked to cancer, allergies, and skin irritation.
The Made in USA label indicates that a product has substantial U.S. content and manufacturing.
This product is free from parabens, a class of preservatives linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

User Satisfaction

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We only include products on Welpr that are the best of the best. An EXCELLENT user satisfaction score indicates the product is in the top third of the best products.
Est. Price
$13.99
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Product Details

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  • Crafted with a completely MMA-free formula, ensuring your nails and skin remain free from harmful chemicals.
  • Effortlessly easy to apply, making it suitable for both experienced nail artists and beginners.
  • Offers stunning, long-lasting nail enhancements that stand up to daily activities.
  • Available in a variety of vibrant colors, allowing for creative and expressive nail designs.

Pros & Cons

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Pros

  • Contains no MMA, making it safer for health-conscious users.
  • Bright, beautiful white color that is ideal for pink and white styles.
  • Smooth and easy to use, even for beginners.
  • Ships quickly, often earlier than expected.

Cons

  • Some users experienced inconsistency with the fill level of the product.
  • May not be the best option for those seeking a truly clear acrylic, as it can appear milky.

Ingredients

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Ingredients: Acrylates Copolymer, Benzoyl Peroxide

Acrylic Core Powder - Young Nails

Acrylic Core Powder - Young Nails
Welpr Rating
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Welpr rating icon
4.75
/5
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Highlights

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This product is free from harsh sulfates like SLS and SLES, which can strip skin and scalp and trigger irritation.
This product is free from phthalates, a type of plasticizer linked to hormone disruption and reduced fertility.
This product is free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, preservatives that release toxic gas linked to cancer, allergies, and skin irritation.
This product is free from parabens, a class of preservatives linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

User Satisfaction

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We only include products on Welpr that are the best of the best. An EXCELLENT user satisfaction score indicates the product is in the top third of the best products.
Est. Price
$16.95
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Product Details

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  • Designed with exact particle blend technology for flawless consistency and superior adhesion.
  • Quick-setting formula allows smoother application in just 90 seconds.
  • Offers a range of natural, nude, pink, clear, and white colors perfect for various nail designs.
  • Professional-grade product offering salon-quality results at home.

Pros & Cons

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Pros

  • Self-leveling feature makes it beginner-friendly and easy to apply.
  • Provides a long-lasting hold, keeping nails intact for over a month.
  • Goes on smoothly and minimizes the need for filing.
  • Leaves a shiny, professional finish that looks great.

Cons

  • Some users with allergies may experience reactions; test a small area for safety.
  • In certain cases, may not be as clear or fast-drying as expected.

Ingredients

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Ingredients: Polyethyl Methacrylate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Benzoyl Peroxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891)

Third-party certifications are key indicators of a product's safety, ethics, and environmental impact. Click the icon to verify the certification.

Highlights aren't always verifiable, so you're trusting the brand when they say "lead free", etc. If the highlight icon is "clickable", it means we've verified the highlight.

User satisfaction is calculated using online reviews and a Bayesian average across all personal care and cosmetic products on Welpr.

Dipping Acrylic For Any Kit or System - Dipwell

Dipping Acrylic For Any Kit or System - Dipwell
Welpr Rating
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Welpr rating icon
4.75
/5
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Highlights

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This product is vegan, meaning it contains no animal-derived ingredients—look for a certification like PETA or Vegan.org to verify the claim.
This product is free from harsh sulfates like SLS and SLES, which can strip skin and scalp and trigger irritation.
This product is free from phthalates, a type of plasticizer linked to hormone disruption and reduced fertility.
This product is free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, preservatives that release toxic gas linked to cancer, allergies, and skin irritation.
This product is cruelty-free, meaning it was not tested on animals—look for certification from Leaping Bunny or PETA to verify the claim.
The Made in USA label indicates that a product has substantial U.S. content and manufacturing.
This product is free from parabens, a class of preservatives linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

User Satisfaction

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We only include products on Welpr that are the best of the best. An EXCELLENT user satisfaction score indicates the product is in the top third of the best products.
Est. Price
$9.97
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Product Details

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  • Lasts 3-6 weeks without chipping, adding length, protection, and shine.
  • Formulated without harsh chemicals and requires no UV/LED lamp.
  • Fortified with calcium for added durability against daily wear and tear.
  • Quick and easy removal without damaging the natural nail bed.
  • Vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and made in the USA.

Pros & Cons

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Pros

  • Easy to use, even for beginners.
  • Fine powder that doesn't clump or thicken.
  • Offers a natural look with sheer pink options.
  • Helps extend the longevity of dip nails.
  • Affordable alternative to other brands.

Cons

  • Some users expected a clear powder and received an off-white color.
  • Color may not match expectations, like in the case of "sheer pink".

Ingredients

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Ingredients can vary by product variation and may change at any time by the manufacturer. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging.


To analyze individual ingredients, use INCIDecoder.


Ingredients: Acrylic Ester Polymer, Benzoyl Peroxide, Titanium Dioxide

Professional Acrylic Dipping Powder - Joya Mia

Professional Acrylic Dipping Powder - Joya Mia
Welpr Rating
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4.7
/5
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Highlights

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This product is free from harsh sulfates like SLS and SLES, which can strip skin and scalp and trigger irritation.
This product is free from phthalates, a type of plasticizer linked to hormone disruption and reduced fertility.
This product is free from formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing agents, preservatives that release toxic gas linked to cancer, allergies, and skin irritation.
This product is free from parabens, a class of preservatives linked to hormone disruption and breast cancer.

User Satisfaction

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We only include products on Welpr that are the best of the best. A GREAT user satisfaction score indicates the product is in the middle third of the best products.
Est. Price
$17.00
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Product Details

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  • Enjoy salon-quality nails at home with a professional dipping powder system.
  • Achieve long-lasting, beautiful nails in just 15 minutes.
  • Experience a hassle-free removal process thanks to the unique formula.
  • Choose from a wide range of colors to suit any occasion.
  • Benefit from a generous packaging that offers multiple uses.

Pros & Cons

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Pros

  • Beautiful, vibrant colors that users love.
  • High quality formula that works well for at-home nail application.
  • Arrives quickly and packaged nicely.

Cons

  • Some buyers noted they admired the color before use but hadn’t tested wear or longevity yet.

Ingredients

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Ingredients: Polyethylmethacrylate Benzoyl Peroxide Titanium Dioxide

Our Product Rating System

Our Product Rating System

First, Camille (co-creator of Welpr) hand picks cleaner product options from a variety of sources.

Next, we collect information about each product's safety, consumer satisfaction, and eco-ethical standing.

Finally, we run all this information through an algorithm that calculates the Welpr Rating.

Welpr Rating:

5.0/5

The Welpr Rating takes into account 3 things:

  1. Product Safety
  2. Consumer Satisfaction
  3. Ethics & Environment
Product safety

Part 1: Product safety

We evaluate safety information from 3rd party organizations (e.g. EWG, Made Safe, etc.). Instead of relying solely on any one of these companies for safety information, we assess all of them.

Consumer satisfaction

Part 2: Consumer satisfaction

We scour the web for consumer ratings and reviews to verify products are not only cleaner options, but also effective. Products can either be Above Average, Average, or Below average for their respective category (e.g. cleaning products).

Ethics & Environment

Part 3: Ethics & Environment

When you buy a product, you’re supporting that company with your dollars. We believe it’s important to support ethical companies, so we pool together certifications that verify a company's ethics and environmental impact.

Common Harmful Chemicals in Acrylic Powder

Chemical Name

Why it’s harmful

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide is a versatile compound used in various industries, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, mainly to treat mild acne and acne rosacea. In humans, occasional symptoms of overexposure include skin, eye, and mucous membrane irritation, and dermatitis. It has also shown potential for inducing DNA damage in cultured human cells. In animal studies, benzoyl peroxide has caused irritation, erythema, and increased keratinocytes in guinea pigs and mice. Studies on mice and rats showed no significant increase in tumors, and it was not found to be mutagenic in a Salmonella strain. In embryonic studies, however, it caused malformations at moderate frequency. Furthermore, it mediates its effect by inducing various genetic and biochemical changes in different cell types.

Epoxy Resin

Epoxy resin is frequently used as an adhesive but can have health effects through skin contact or inhalation. Overexposure can lead to eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, as well as skin allergies and asthma.

Methyl Methacrylate

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is a bonding agent in certain artificial nail products, offering quicker setting and stronger adhesion. However, MMA exposure is associated with adverse health effects like dermal toxicity and respiratory tract issues. Acrylates and methacrylates are monomers commonly used in various industries, including cosmetics, medicine, dentistry, and manufacturing, for producing plastics.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas with a pungent smell that's naturally produced in small quantities in human bodies and is also known as methanal amongst other names. It's used in the production of various items such as fertilizers, paper, plywood, and urea-formaldehyde resins as well as in some foods and household products like antiseptics, medicines, and cosmetics. Exposure to formaldehyde, which can occur through breathing contaminated indoor air, tobacco smoke, or ambient urban air can lead to respiratory symptoms, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and has been linked to lung and nasopharyngeal cancer as well as leukemia. The EPA considers formaldehyde a probable human carcinogen (Group B1) and inhaling it can cause bronchospasm and pulmonary edema. Commercially, it's sold as formalin in solutions of 37%, 44%, or 50% and long-term exposure can cause first-degree burns, skin sensitization, squamous cell nasal cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstruction.

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Authors

Camille May, Product Curator

Hey, I’m Camille—co-creator of Welpr and your go-to guide for all things clean living. After selling my last company in the health food space, I went non-toxic to heal an autoimmune condition. It did wonders for my health, but navigating which products to buy wasn’t easy. We built Welpr to make that journey feel a bit easier.  When I’m not working on Welpr, you’ll usually find me in the sauna, sipping a raw milk latte while doing a puzzle, or walking with my pit bull Romeo in my hometown of Austin, TX.

Olushola M. Awoyemi, Medical Reviewer

Olushola M. Awoyemi (aka Shola) is a board-certified toxicologist and a research scientist with a PhD in Environmental Toxicology. Shola's long-term ambition is to be recognized as a world-renowned expert in toxicology, risk assessment, and management, with experience spanning across institutions like the US EPA, US FDA, NIEHS, USDA, UNEP, WHO, and possibly within Fortune 100 companies in the Chemical, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical, Consumer goods, or IT sectors.

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