I bet you’re wondering, what the heck is vegan nail polish? Did you even know there was such a thing as vegan nail polish? Do you even care that there is such a thing as vegan nail polish? Well, if you consider yourself a vegan, or just want to learn more, keep reading. Vegan nail polish is a type of nail polish that does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. It is free of animal-derived oils such as lanolin, beeswax, and gelatin, as well as any other animal-derived ingredients. Vegan nail polish is a cruelty free, eco-friendly alternative typically made with plant-based oils and other natural ingredients. Vegan nail polish is essentially nail polish for vegans or anyone who finds the traditional nail polish concept to be unethical.
People who choose to live a vegan lifestyle want all of the products that they use to live up to those same standards. Are there really animal parts inside of nail polish? Let’s get into it! The term vegan refers to more than just food. The term includes beauty products. Vegan nail polish does not contain any animal ingredients or animal by-products. In case you’re wondering what types of animal ingredients go into some traditional polishes, let me explain.
Lanolin
For example, Lanolin is a waxy substance that comes from wool-bearing animals, such as sheep. Sheep need lanolin to help protect them from the elements. Lanolin helps them keep water from their wool. Well, guess what beauties? Vegan products can do the same thing with alternatives to lanolin. Instead of using lanolin, brands can use alternatives such as hydrogenated castor oil and orange wax.
Carmine
Carmine used in nail polish is what gives red nail polishes its rich red color. Any idea where carmine comes from? It comes from the process of boiling beetles in an ammonia solution and crushing them into small parts. Some alternatives to carmine include beet juice or synthetic dyes.
Guanine
Guanine is what adds a pearl-like shimmer to traditional nail polish. It is just another way of saying fish scales. Newsflash ladies! There are ways to create this glamorous, shimmery effect without the use of animal derived ingredients. Alternatively, this effect can be achieved with mica, bronze powder, synthetic pearl, and leguminous plants.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, flavorless, and odorless protein substance derived from collagen, which is extracted from animal connective tissues such as skin, bones, and tendons. It is commonly used as a gelling agent and can be found in some traditional nail polishes and removers. Vegan alternatives to gelatin includes xanthan gum, cornstarch, agar agar, pectin, and more. Agar agar is a plant based ingredient, and is the most commonly used setting agent alternative.
Research is so important when you’re shopping, especially if you have a purpose in mind. Product ingredients lists are not going to blatantly say that their products contain sheep fat, crushed beetles, and fish scales. So, if you’re not sure of what you’re about to purchase, just keep google handy before you make that decision.
As an added benefit to vegan nail polishes, the creators of these brands tend to make them more healthy than traditional nail polish brands. You will find that they are less toxic as they contain less harsh chemicals than the others. They are usually free of Formaldehyde, Toluene, Camphor, Xylene, Parabens, and more depending on the brand. Many vegan nail polish users and users who want healthy and safer products pay close attention to ingredients lists. So, what the heck is vegan nail polish? A safer, healthier, animal friendly nail polish.