Get a Mani-Pedi, Mommy: 7 chemical-free nail polish safe for pregnancy

During pregnancy, are you bored with your colorless, dull nails from your hands down to your toes? Do you miss going to nail salons to celebrate your womanhood and feel your nail fantasy? Relax, mommy — here’s a good news! The world has got nail polish brands safe for pregnancy. And we listed them down for you.

The moment our doctor told us that we are pregnant, we are refrained from toxic chemical exposure. Upon hearing that, you thought that any kind of nail polish, manicure, and pedicure are banned for nine months. But don’t worry, mommy. Doctors have affirmed that nail polishes, especially the chemical-free ones, are good for the mommy and the baby.

The toxic trio of unsafe polish chemicals

To debunk the myth, manicures, pedicures, and nail polish are totally safe while pregnant. Pregnancy hormones make our nails grow longer and stronger. Don’t we deserve any kind of nail service? Still, be a keen mommy. Stay away from these chemicals that are usually present in nail polishes as mentioned by Dr. Chun Tang of Pall Mall Medical:

• dibutyl phthalate (increases flexibility on nails, anti-chip)
• toluene (gives smooth finish)
• formaldehyde (hardener and preservative of nail polishes)

Dibutyl phthalate is known for being a common nail polish ingredient used as a plasticizer. But during pregnancy, dibutyl phthalate can be transmitted from mother to baby. Exposure to dibutyl phthalate during pregnancy may affect the growth and development of the child and may as well damage the male and female reproductive systems.

Toluene is a nail polish component that works on the nails to achieve a smooth presentation and finish. But be cautious with this one. As for this chemical, several cases reported neonatal outcomes like intrauterine growth retardation, premature delivery, congenital malformations, and postnatal developmental retardation with the usage of the said chemical. Together, toluene and dibutyl phthalate have been associated to birth defects and developmental complications in babies whose mothers used the chemicals abovementioned during the period of their pregnancy.

Lastly, formaldehyde is a chemical that could increase perinatal risks in pregnancy. Exposure to it may raise your chances of having fertility problems, miscarriage, a higher risk of hereditary abnormalities, depressed birth weight, and premature birth.

On getting gels

Gel manicures are on-trend right now because of its quick-drying benefits. With this innovation, in just a few minutes, your nails are now ready to go. With the usage of UV light, the nail coatings solidify effortlessly and set into a glossy, chip-resistant surface. The biggest edge of using gel nail polish is that it lasts much longer than our basic, regular nail polish. Now that we have proven the safety of getting a mani-pedi during pregnancy as the myth about nail polishes is debunked, health professionals and experts advise to steer clear of getting gel polishes.

As we go to the salon and request for a gel manicure and pedicure, a number of chemicals which are used when affording this type of quick-drying service. Gel manicures have not been 100% proven to be highly toxic or dangerous, but the usage of UV light, while you have a baby bump, is something we do not want to risk.

Nail polish safe for pregnancy

Debunked myth: nail polishes with no toxic ingredients are truly safe for expectant mothers. Who would have imagined that your nails can be beautiful and, at the same time, protected from toxic and harsh chemicals? Just wow.

Pregnant or not, it is always crucial for us to make sure that we know which products are being used on us during the treatment of manicure or pedicure. Check these nail polish safe for pregnancy that are chemical-free and do not contain any dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde.

Sunnies Face Play Paint

Nail polish on-the-go

From the famous beauty brand Sunnies Face, the Play Paint is a cruelty-free, paraben-free, and vegan-friendly nail polish safe for pregnancy with a mix of playful and wearable colors with a creamy finish. Its easy and quick-dry polish application makes pregnant nails be on-the-go quickly.

It has 15 shades in a 10-free formula — meaning these nail polishes are free of formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, camphor, formaldehyde resin, xylene, parabens, fragrances, phthalates, and animal ingredients.

Zoya Nail Polish

Ultimate non-toxic nail polish

Looking for a a top brand in non-toxic nail polish safe for pregnancy? Zoya has got you indefinitely! Their wide range of colors and finishes are the next ones in your current collection of pregnancy-safe nail polishes. Their 10-free formulas are free of formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, dibutyl, toluene, camphor, triphenyl phosphate, xylene, ethyl, tosylamide, lead, and parabens.

This nail polish safe for pregnancy can last for several days without chipping even a little bit. But when removed, a regular nail polish remover can do and can be removed easily. And mind you, your nails won’t turn yellow.

Orly Nail Lacquer

All natural nail polish

Toxic chemicals like toluene and dibutyl phthalate are found in most nail polishes. For pregnant and lactating moms, we should avoid that. But with Orly, you will never have to worry if your nails might turn yellow or even flake and crack. Orly has already started selling into the market their reformulated and safe nail polishes without the so-called toxic trio. With its classic, long-lasting formula, the Orly Nail Lacquer is a two-coat application that is vegan, cruelty-free, free from harmful ingredients, organic, and all natural.

With two coats, you are already good to go with Orly as it eradicates the need for a base coat and the need for a topcoat — thanks to the shine additives and adhesion promoters. The argan oil, vitamin B5, and vitamin C in its formula target to maintain our nails strong and solidly healthy, too.

Goodbye chipping and peeling! And say hello to a healthier, quicker nail growth!

Sally Hansen

Long-lasting nail polish

Available in the hottest, trendiest, most popular, and most wanted shades, the Sally Hansen nail polish safe for pregnancy is a long-lasting color that is chip-resistant, fade-resistant, and waterproof. Whether you like washing the clothes or dishes or even taking long baths, your nail color stays solid and sturdy with the iconic Sally Hansen formula. The Nails Xtreme Wear line of the brand offers extreme strength and shine — suitable for ladies who need long-lasting effects.

The nail industry has welcomed the blow-up of chemical-free polishes, and Sally Hansen is one of the frontrunners of its time. It is definitely free of the nasty three —  a nail polish safe for pregnancy made without formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate.

Achieve salon quality at home while being safe and sound with the fun, trendy shades of Sally Hansen!

TenTen Nail Polish

Anti-yellow stains nail polish

Pretty when polished — that’s what you are with TenTen.

Made without formaldehyde, dibutyl phtalate, toulene, formaldehyde resin, and camphor, the TenTen Nail Polish is 5-free! As this is quick-dry, chip resistant, and easy to apply, pregnant moms who wish to have long-lasting colors on their fingers do not have to worry with the swipe technology of TenTen.

It may be available in hi-gloss and matte colors. But what does not separate the two? They are anti-yellow stains on your nails. When using regular polish, the drying course of action can take up to an hour for the nail to be completely dried up. But the TenTen polish changed its formula to comply to the needs of on-the-go women.

Price comparison table

Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.

Nail change during pregnancy

Just like any part of your body from head to toe, your nails can change during pregnancy. The pregnancy hormones that flow around your body while you have a baby bump can make your fingernails and toenails develop faster and become stronger.

But for some women, they notice that their nails easily break off during pregnancy. But these changes are not permanent, it’s your hormones speaking and doing their thing.

With these nail changes during your pregnancy comes the importance of nail care. Always keep them trimmed to avoid any pain. For added colors on the nails, always remember to just avoid the chemicals in nail polish and nail polish remover.

Nail care during pregnancy

May it be you are at home or at the salon, taking care of your nails is a must. Check these steps to follow for stronger, healthier, and better nails for the 9-month pregnancy journey that you will enjoy:

• Keep nails clean and dry.
• Cut nails straight across.
• Remove nail snags by filing them with an emery board.
• For nails that are thick and difficult to trim or cut, soak them in warm water first before cutting.
• Moisturize your nails with oil for extra hydration and care.
• Wear shoes that fits your feet properly.

Knowing that your nails grow faster and more fragile during pregnancy, avoid from doing these for healthier nails and more presentable-looking fingers:

• Do not bite your fingernails.
• Avoid picking at your cuticles.
• Do not pull off hangnails.
• Stay away from harsh nail care products.
• Do not use your nails as a tool.

To give you more pregnancy-safe product options for your personal hygiene, preggy mums, better check out: Best Pregnancy Safe Feminine Wash: Top 5 recommendations