It used to be very difficult for cosmetics and makeup lovers to find ethically produced beauty products, but as the popularity of veganism increased, more and more vegan products began to appear. It would seem that now you can safely enjoy makeup and personal care without compromising your beliefs regarding animal rights.
But one area of beauty is still in question, and that is nail polish.
Luckily, there are already plenty of vegan nail polish options out there these days. And, importantly, not only do vegan nail polishes contain no animal-derived ingredients, they are also less toxic than most conventional nail polishes.
The vegan beauty industry is expanding rapidly, and to navigate it, you need to be able to understand it. Maybe this vegan nail polish reminder will help!
How is vegan nail polish different?
When choosing vegan nail polish or any other beauty product, there are two principles to follow.
1. The product does not contain ingredients of animal origin.
This point may seem obvious, but sometimes it can be difficult to know if a product contains ingredients of animal origin.
Some cosmetic products clearly state that they contain milk proteins or placenta, but it’s not always that simple. It often happens that even after carefully reading the labels, it is not possible to determine whether the product is vegan or not – many ingredients have special codes or unusual names that cannot be deciphered without further research.
For those occasions, try to remember a few of the most common animal ingredients and avoid them. You can also use Google search while shopping – nowadays the Internet is full of useful information about vegan products. However, it’s better to use trusted sites if you don’t want to end up with a non-vegan product by mistake.
2. The product has not been tested on animals.
Although some beauty products are advertised as vegan, this does not necessarily mean that they have not been tested on animals. The Vegan Society trademark guarantees that the product does not contain animal ingredients and is not tested on animals. If the product does not have such a trademark, it is possible that it or some of its ingredients have been tested on animals.
Why do cosmetic brands test their products on animals?
Some companies conduct animal testing themselves, most often as a defense against potential lawsuits in case the use of the company’s products puts the health of customers at risk. It may also mean that the products of such companies contain caustic chemical ingredients.
Another reason some companies conduct animal testing is because they are required by law to do so. For example, any cosmetic product that is imported into mainland China must be tested on animals. The Chinese cosmetics industry is booming and many cosmetic brands choose to exploit this market and sell their products.
So, if your nail polish contains animal ingredients or is tested on animals, it’s not vegan.
The three most common animal ingredients
Unfortunately, most nail polishes still contain animal ingredients. Some are used as colorants and others are supposed to help strengthen nails, but in reality they can be replaced with vegan ingredients without compromising the quality of the polish.
Let’s look at three common cosmetic ingredients of animal origin.
Guanine, also called natural pearl essence or CI 75170, is a lustrous substance obtained from the processing of fish scales. Fish scales such as herring, menhaden and sardines are used to create a pearl essence that provides a shimmering effect.
carmine, also known as “crimson lake”, “natural red 4” or CI 75470, is a bright red pigment. For its production, scaly insects are dried and crushed, which usually live on cactus farms in South and Central America. Carmine is used as a coloring agent in various cosmetic and food products.
Keratin is an animal protein derived from mammalian organisms such as cattle, horses, pigs, rabbits and others. Keratin is believed to strengthen damaged hair, nails and skin. But despite the fact that it provides a healthier look, this is a temporary phenomenon, noticeable until the keratin is washed off.
None of these substances are critical to the production of nail polish and can easily be replaced by synthetic or plant compounds. For example, instead of guanine, you can use particles of aluminum or artificial pearls, which provide the same beautiful shimmer effect.
Luckily, with more and more beauty brands now changing their manufacturing techniques, it’s easier than ever to find a vegan alternative to any beauty product.
Several vegan nail polish brands to choose from
Pay attention to these brands – they are all registered under the trademark of the Vegan Society.
Pure Chemistry
Pure Chemistry is a Colombian vegan and environmentally friendly beauty brand. All of their products are locally made and shipped worldwide! You can buy them directly from .
As for nail polish, Pure Chemistry offers 21 beautiful colors that are made without the use of harmful dyes, so the products are also suitable for pregnant women and children.
ZAO
ZAO is a French natural cosmetics brand founded by three friends who share a love of nature and environmental values.
Zao vegan nail polishes come in a variety of colors, from classics like bright red to dark and natural pastels. There are also options for glossy, shiny and matte finishes.
ZAO nail polishes are free of eight of the most common toxic cosmetic ingredients. In addition, their formula is enriched with substances from the bamboo rhizome, which help to make your nails stronger and healthier. The elegant designer nail polish packaging also uses natural bamboo elements.
By visiting , you can quickly find the nearest points of sale or online sites where ZAO products are available for purchase.
Serene London
Seren London is an ethical beauty brand based in London.
One of their main brand features is competitive pricing, which is unfortunately not the case with vegan brands. Plus, all packaging is made from 100% recyclable materials! Their nail care collection is completely vegan, from a variety of nail polishes, gel base coats and top coats, to a two-phase nail polish remover.
You can definitely choose the right nail polish for you from a wide range of different colors and finishes. The high quality product ensures smooth application and long lasting hold on the nails.
Seren London nail polishes are available for .
Kia Charlotte
Kia Charlotta is a German beauty brand that specializes exclusively in nail care. His collection of vegan, non-toxic nail polishes was created to expand the range of beauty products that are not only harmless to your body, but also to other living beings.
Twice a year, Kia Charlotta releases fifteen new colors, so every season you can enjoy new trendy shades without getting bored with the same colors. For the same reason, this brand’s nail polish bottles are a bit smaller than usual, ensuring you use up all your nail polish without getting tired of it or creating unnecessary waste.
Kia Charlotta nail polishes last up to seven days, but for best results, apply a base coat and top coat for stronger coverage and more vibrant colors.
You can find all Kia Charlotta nail polishes on theirs. They ship all over the world!
Beauty Without Cruelty
Beauty Without Cruelty is a British beauty brand that has been making natural cosmetics for over 30 years! The brand’s cosmetics are not only vegan and made without animal testing, but are also safe to use for people with sensitive skin.
BWC offers a wide range of colors ranging from pale nudes and classic reds to various bright and dark shades. While all of the brand’s nail polishes are long lasting and dry quickly, none contain harsh chemicals like toluene, phthalate and formaldehyde.
In addition, BWC has a nail care collection called Kind Caring Nails. It includes products such as glossy and matte top coat, base coat, nail polish remover and other products. All products have been created in order to strengthen your nails and keep your manicure as long as possible.
You can buy Beauty Without Cruelty cosmetics in their official or other stores.