A number of companies produce nail polish that’s both vegan and cruelty free. Even the industry’s largest players are entering this niche. In 2019, Sally Hansen launched an all-vegan line under the Pure brand name. And in 2021, OPI released its Nature Strong line of vegan nail polish.
Nail polish is among the least natural of all cosmetics. It’s more akin to fast-drying paint than to any conventional sort of makeup. Manufacturers mix pigment into an opaque and glossy blending agent. Next, they use a strong solvent to dissolve this mixture. Except for perhaps coloring agents, no ingredients typically present in nail polish are animal-derived.
No longer is vegan nail polish a niche product. Accordingly, the market abounds with excellent vegan brands formulated without animal testing. Whatever sort of look you’re seeking, you can find high quality cruelty-free brands. From restrained shades to outrageous colors, you’ll have no trouble finding a product that suits you.
Cruelty Free Vegan Nail Polish Brands
Granted, you still might find a limited selection of vegan nail polish at many retailers. But Amazon.com stocks well over 100 shades of nail polish from these well-known brands. Whenever you’re running low, or want to try out a new look, you can order exactly what you need in moments.
- Cirque Colors: Crème Nail Polish
- Eternal: Nude Nail Enamel and Pastel Nail Polish (each a set of 4)
- Jolie Vegan: Nail Polish
- Karma: Organic Natural Nail Polish
- Lacomchir: Non-Toxic Nail Polish Set
- MOW: Nail Laquer
- OPI: Nature Strong Lacquer
- Sally Hansen: Good. Kind. Pure.
Animal Testing and Safety
Back in the day, nail polishes underwent no safety testing. What’s worse, they often contained heavy metals and other potentially hazardous substances. And all common nail polish ingredients were at one time tested on animals.
Fortunately, many popular brands use neither animal testing nor non-vegan substances.