10 free - what does it mean and why is it important?
10 free is the non-toxic, healthier and safer option for gel nail polish and regular nail polish. 10 free is the way of the future!
Is 10 free important when selecting your brand of Gel Nail Polish, and why?
Yes, 10 free is what you want to be on the lookout for when selecting what brand of polish to purchase. At Gelous, crafting a Gel Nail Polish free of the 10 toxic ingredients that are historically found in nail polish was very important to us. We wanted to be able to provide our customers with a healthier alternative, free of nasty ingredients which can have numerous harmful side effects. We pride ourselves on our UV/LED Gel Nail Polish being free of these 10 ingredients without making any sacrifices on the quality of the product.
Listed below are the 10 ingredients and their potential side effects that will never be found in our Gel Nail Polish. You’ll see from this list why selecting a Gel Polish that is 10 free is of the utmost importance.
What chemicals aren't found in 10 Free Gel Nail Polish?
The ”toxic trio” - three chemicals you should strictly avoid
Formaldehyde: A chemical which is very strong in smell, classified as a gas and often used as a preservative. It can cause nausea and create skin irritations which can lead to allergies like dermatitis, itchy red rashes and sometimes even blisters. Even scarier, formaldehyde is also known to be the cause of some cancers.
Dibutyl Phthalate: This is often used as a solvent and plasticiser to provide a shiny consistency. However, it’s not so "shiny" with its effects, causing irritations of the skin including the eyes, nose and throat. Alongside this, it causes nausea, headaches, and even seizures in some cases. It’s also been linked to some kidney and liver damage.
Toluene: A compound found in petroleum and the tolu tree, which is used as a solvent to help to form a smooth finish. If contact with this chemical is prolonged it can cause the skin to crack and peel - not so smooth, huh! Inhalation of Toluene will also cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, vomiting, respiratory depression and even hallucinations in some people.
Seven more harmful chemicals you won't find in Gelous Gel Nail Polish
Formaldehyde Resin: Due to the shiny tough finish created by this soft polymer resin, itis often used in nail enamel products. However it’s one to avoid due to the skin irritations it can cause - including dermatitis.
Camphor: This is a solid found in the waxy and flammable wood of the Camphor Laurel Tree. A synthetic imitation is favoured by makers of nail polish as a plasticiser for the shine and elasticity it produces. This is where it becomes harmful and highly toxic, resulting in disorientation, nausea, dizziness and headaches.
Parabens: These preservatives are commonly used within the cosmetics sector to prolong the shelf life of a product and stop it developing bacteria and mold. But as great as this may seem for your cosmetics life, it's not so great for you, Parabens have been associated with an increased risk in breast and skin cancer, so are definitely best avoided.
Ethyl Tosylamide: To increase the longevity and durability of nail polish, this chemical is used as a plasticiser. It’s also known to be a hormonal disrupter and can cause mild to severe allergic reactions.
Xylene:This solvent is used commonly in nail polishes due to its thinning properties, which stops the formula from going lumpy. Some of the side effects proven have been eye and skin irritation, nausea, headaches and dizziness.
Triphenyl Phosphate: Another one of those chemical compounds used as a plasticizer for increased flexibility and durability in nail polish. However this is not something we're willing to be flexible on, as it’s suggested to have effects on hormones in particular reproductive health.
Tert-butyl hydroperoxide: A chemical used for the oxidation process when producing nail polish. This can be toxic to the blood, liver and the lungs, as well as causing negative effects on the respiratory and central nervous system.
Free of Animal Derived Ingredients: While there are still cosmetics brands out there that continue to use ingredients such as Carmine (crushed scale insects), Guanine (fish scales) and Oleic Acid (animal fats), Gelous is committed to remaining vegan and staying away from all animal derived ingredients in our Gel Polish.
No Animal Testing: One thing we will never compromise on is the testing of animals. As a proudly vegan brand you can assure there is no animal testing that takes place during the making of our product.
Does this mean Gel Nail Polish is completely safe?
Even without those 10 nasty chemicals included in our Gel Nail Polish, there are still some chemicals involved in producing our gorgeous, long-lasting product. To avoid any harm, we urge you to carefully follow our Product Guides when applying and removing your Gel Nail Polish. Make sure to read through our instructions, always apply your Gelous Gel Nail Polish in a well ventilated room and do not cure it on your skin.
