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.
Best Non-Toxic Nail Gel Polish in 2025
Updated:
Aug 28, 2025
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What we look for:
- Free from formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, benzophenones, and other high-risk 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
- Full transparency with every ingredient clearly listed
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.
Find Non-Toxic Nail Gel Polish
Gel Nail Polish - PLA
Welpr Rating
4.9
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$12.50
Product Details
- Cruelty-free and vegan formula for a guilt-free manicure.
- 10-free formula excludes harmful chemicals like formaldehyde, toluene, and camphor.
- Fast-drying formula allows you to achieve beautiful nails in just 60-90 seconds with a UV/LED lamp.
- Salon-quality results with easy and smooth application for a chic, enduring manicure.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic range of colors to choose from.
- Cloud and Clear is a standout shade for many users.
- Generally loved by fans of the brand for its quality.
Cons
- Some users find the color to be too sheer for their preferences.
- A few users experienced thickness in the clear coat application.
Ingredients
Ingredients: Acrylates/Carbamate Copolymer, Acrylates VP Copolymer, Acrylates Copolymer, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77492, CI 77742, CI 77491
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.
Gel Extreme Shine Nail Polish - L.A. Colors
Welpr Rating
4.8
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$4.39
Product Details
- Cruelty-free, ensuring no animals were harmed in the making of this product.
- Paraben-free, keeping away potentially harmful chemicals.
- Vegan-friendly, suitable for those who prefer plant-based options.
- Ideal for health-conscious individuals avoiding toxic beauty products.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful, vibrant colors that receive compliments.
- Can be applied with just one coat for an opaque finish.
- Dries quickly with a lovely shine, often without need for top coat.
- Lasts a good amount of time, especially on toenails.
- Brush provides good coverage and polish stays on well.
Cons
- Some users find the formula thick or streaky with multiple coats.
- Can chip within a few days for some users.
- Some experienced issues with product packaging or delivery.
Ingredients
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: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Isobutyl Acetate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxide Black (Ci 77499), Black 2 (Ci 77266), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 10 Lake (Ci 47005), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 34 Lake (Ci 15880), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742)
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.
Gel Extreme Shine - L.A. Girl
Welpr Rating
4.8
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$3.99
Product Details
- Delivers shiny salon-quality nails effortlessly.
- No UV light needed for gel-like shine and color.
- Easy to apply with a rounded brush that fits nail shape.
- Removes easily for fuss-free nail care.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Beautiful color options with lasting shine.
- Opaque coverage with just one coat for many shades.
- Dries quickly and applies smoothly with a wide brush.
- Free of harmful agents found in some other polishes.
Cons
- Some users experienced streaky or thin application needing multiple coats.
- A few customers noted inconsistencies in color representation and packaging.
Ingredients
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: Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Isobutyl Acetate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxide Black (Ci 77499), Black 2 (Ci 77266), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 10 Lake (Ci 47005), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Ultramarines (Ci 77007), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 34 Lake (Ci 15880), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742)
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.
Gel Lab Pro Nail Polish - Deborah Lippmann
Welpr Rating
4.65
/5
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$20.00
Product Details
- Treatment enriched formula promotes nail health, wear, and shine.
- 21 free formula avoids harmful chemicals, supporting a non-toxic lifestyle.
- Vegan and cruelty-free, ideal for ethically minded users.
- No animal testing involved, aligning with sustainable and humane practices.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fast-drying formula that lets you polish on the go.
- Wide brush design for easy and smooth application.
- Supports a cruelty-free company, aligning with ethical choices.
- Long-lasting wear with minimal chipping for extended enjoyment.
- Variety of beautiful, vibrant colors to match your style.
Cons
- Some users find certain shades shearer than expected, which may not suit everyone's preference.
- Those who regularly change their polish may find it harder to remove sparkly shades.
Ingredients
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: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid/Phthalic Acid /Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Dibutyl Adipate, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Citric Acid, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera Wax, Hydrolyzed Corn/Soy/Wheat Protein Thioglycolamide/ Thiopropionamide, Biotin, Water/Aqua/Eau (And) Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Glycidoxypropyl Trimethoxysilane/ Methacryloyl Propyltrimethoxysilane /Methyltriethoxysilane /Mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Nylon-12, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Auoumea Klaineana Resin Extract, (+/-) (May Contain/Peut Contenir) : D&C Black No 2 (Ci 77266), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (Ci 77510), Iron Oxides (77491 , 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 34 Lake (Ci 15880)
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.
Gel Nail Polish - Nailboo
Welpr Rating
4.6
/5
Certifications
Highlights
User Satisfaction
Est. Price
$11.99
Product Details
- Provides a glossy, plump, and lasting manicure using a colorless coat that helps bond gel color to the nail.
- Easy to apply and free from toxins, ensuring no damage to your nails while providing salon-quality results at home.
- Fast cures under a LED lamp in just 30-60 seconds, offering convenience and ease of use.
- Long-lasting shine that can endure up to 4 weeks with proper application, ideal for those seeking durability.
- Can be used on both natural nails and glue-on tips, offering versatility for various nail styles.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Long-lasting with impressive durability and coverage.
- Beautiful and vibrant color options available.
- Easy to apply and works well for at-home manicures.
- Compatible with various base and top coats for a sturdy finish.
Cons
- Some users find the drying time under LED lights to be quite lengthy.
- May peel or chip within a short time for some users, requiring frequent touch-ups.
Ingredients
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: Polyurethane, Hema, Bumetrizole, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red No. 6 (Ci 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)
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
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.
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).
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 Nail Gel Polish
Chemical Name
Why it’s harmful
Toluene
Toluene is a clear, colorless liquid that naturally occurs in crude oil and the tolu tree. It's prominent in the production of gasoline, coke from coal, and various consumer products like paints, adhesives, and nail polish. Toluene is even added to gasoline, used to create benzene, and acts as a solvent. However, exposure to toluene, especially from inhalation, can have serious health effects. It primarily targets the central nervous system, inducing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, headaches, and in chronic cases, can cause severe dysfunction. Exposure has also been linked to developmental effects in children, but there isn't enough evidence to conclude its carcinogenic potential. Abuse of toluene can cause permanent brain damage, liver injury, and even potential birth defects or increased risk of spontaneous abortions in pregnant women. Despite these risks, cognitive deficits from toluene exposure below a threshold limit value (TLV) of 50 ppm remain extremely low.
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.
Sources:
Formaldehyde and Cancer Risk, Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality, No More Toxic Tub, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Preservatives, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Formaldehyde And Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives, Formaldehyde may be found in cosmetic products even when unlabelled, Formaldehyde Found in Popular American Beauty Products, Hair Salons - Formaldehyde in Your Products, Formaldehyde in cosmetic products
Xylene
Xylene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor that can be found in cosmetic products. Its functions include enhancing fragrance and perfuming the skin, as well as serving as a solvent to dissolve other substances in the formulation. However, it's important to note that exposure to xylene can lead to various health issues, including irritation of the eyes, nose, skin, and throat, along with symptoms like headaches, dizziness, confusion, and loss of muscle coordination.
Methylisothiazolinone
Methylisothiazolinone can reportedly cause allergic contact dermatitis in workers who interact with products containing it. This substance is recognized as a contact allergen for consumers using cosmetics that include it. It can cause skin burns and sensitization, and inhaling it may lead to corrosive injuries in the upper respiratory tract and lungs. Ingesting this substance is harmful, and inhalation is toxic. This preservative is linked to the category of isothiazolinones.
Sources:
Antimicrobial agents, triclosan, chloroxylenol, methylisothiazolinone and borax, used in cleaning had genotoxic and histopathologic effects on rainbow trout, Methylisothiazolinone toxicity and inhibition of wound healing and regeneration in planaria, Methylchloroisothiazolinone and/or methylisothiazolinone in cosmetic products, Isothiazolinone Biocides: Chemistry, Biological, and Toxicity Profiles, Methylisothiazolinone and isothiazolinone allergy, Analysis of isothiazolinones in environmental waters by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, Methylisothiazolinone induces apoptotic cell death via matrix metalloproteinase activation in human bronchial epithelial cells, EU REGULATIONS , Methylisothiazolinone contact allergy: a review, Effects of methylisothiazolinone and octylisothiazolinone on development and thyroid endocrine system in zebrafish larvae, Two Cases of Chloromethylisothiazolinone and Methylisothiazolinone-associated Toxic Lung Injury, An update of the risk assessment for methylchloroisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) with focus on rinse-off products, Effects of a mixture of chloromethylisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone on peripheral airway dysfunction in children, Isothiazolinone preservative: cause of a continuing epidemic of cosmetic dermatitis, Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone
Acetone
Acetone is a colorless, flammable liquid that dissolves in water and has a distinct smell and taste. It is also known as dimethyl ketone, 2-propanone, and beta-ketopropane. This manufactured chemical, which is used to create plastic, fibers, drugs, and other chemicals, can also be found in the environment in plants, trees, volcanic gases, forest fires, vehicle exhaust, tobacco smoke, and landfill sites, with industrial processes contributing more to its presence than natural ones. Acetone can be harmful if absorbed through the skin or inhaled, potentially causing irritation to the skin and respiratory tract, as well as adverse effects on the central nervous system (CNS), liver, and kidneys. The allowable exposure limit is set based on its potential to cause eye and upper respiratory irritation and CNS impairment.
Benzophenone
Benzophenone (BZP) is a photoinitiator, fragrance enhancer, and ultraviolet stabilizer, used in a variety of industrial applications. Despite not being registered as a pesticide in the U.S., it's involved in the production of insecticides and agricultural chemicals. Its toxic effects on humans are scarcely documented, but it presents little hormonal activity on cell lines. Animal studies show it possesses no estrogenic activity, but it can transform into derivatives with such activity under UV irradiation. It did not show reproductive toxicity or carcinogenicity in rats and mice, respectively, even at high doses. It can be bioactivated through specific enzymes. For aquatic life, fathead minnow larvae were more sensitive to BZP, ranking it in the middle of the toxicity order of six benzene derivatives.
Sources:
Benzophenone & Related Compounds, Chemical Profile: Benzophenone, Toxicological evaluation of benzophenone, Benzophenone – information sheet, Proposition 65 Warnings: Benzophenone, OEHHA: Benzophenone, FDA Removes 7 Synthetic Flavoring Substances from Food Additives List, Benzophenone-3, a chemical UV-filter in cosmetics: is it really safe for children and pregnant women? ,
Authors
Camille May, Product Curator
Olushola M. Awoyemi, Medical Reviewer
