More consumers are asking what’s inside the products they use, and more importantly, what impact those products have on their health (and the planet). At Sainte Nèl, every bottle of nail polish we make is vegan, but what exactly does that mean? And why does it matter for your nails, your health, and the world around you?
Healthier Ingredients for You and Your Nails
Traditional nail polishes often contain a cocktail of harsh chemicals, like formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) The ingredients are used because they act as hardeners, solvents, or plasticizers. The problem? Each comes with well-documented health concerns.
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Formaldehyde is classified as a known human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Prolonged exposure has been linked to respiratory irritation and, in high doses, cancer risk.
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Toluene is a solvent that gives polish a smooth finish but has been associated with dizziness, headaches, and potential reproductive harm with chronic exposure.
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Dibutyl phthalate (DBP), once used to improve polish flexibility, has been banned in cosmetics by the European Union due to its hormone-disrupting effects.
At Sainte Nèl, we use 10-free formulas, meaning our polishes are free of these and other concerning chemicals. This is more than a label, it’s a commitment to keeping your nail care safer, gentler, and aligned with your long-term wellness.
Cruelty-Free and Ethical by Design
Many conventional polishes rely on animal-derived ingredients—like guanine (from fish scales) to create shimmer or carmine (from crushed insects). Traditionally, on top of that, animal testing has historically been used in the beauty industry, to evaluate cosmetic safety.
Sainte Nèl rejects both practices. Our vegan formulas contain no animal by-products and are never tested on animals. Instead, we source plant-based and lab-synthesized alternatives that deliver the same performance without ethical compromise.
High-Performance Color Without Compromise
A common myth is that vegan or “clean” nail polish sacrifices performance. The truth is, advances in cosmetic chemistry have eliminated that trade-off.
Our formulas are designed for:
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Vibrant pigment payoff using ethically sourced, lab-created colorants.
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Durability, with film-forming polymers that resist chipping while remaining free of harmful additives.
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Shine and smoothness that rival traditional salon formulas, without the toxicity.
When you choose vegan polish, you’re not compromising on quality, you’re gaining a product in your cabinet that aligns with your values and your health.
Beyond the Brushstroke
Choosing vegan polish isn’t just about what goes on your nails. It’s about supporting a system of beauty that respects both people and the planet. From ingredient sourcing to production, every bottle of Sainte Nèl polish is thoughtfully crafted to reflect our pillars: non-toxic beauty, self-love, and community.
Because beauty should never come at the expense of your health, the environment, or the well-being of another living creature.
Vegan nail polish is more than a trend, it’s the future of beauty. We’ve already seen this is true. Our founder started making vegan nail polish at home because it was not available in stores. Today, there is vegan nail polish sold everywhere. It blends science, ethics, and performance into one small but meaningful act. And at Sainte Nèl, our mission is to cultivate strong nails, healthy hands and pampered feet. Vegan nail polish is just one way we do that.