Your nails are an essential part of your self-care and hygiene routine. Everyone wants to keep them beautiful and healthy. You may already be using animal nail products daily without even realizing it. The main parts of your routine include your makeup and nail polish.

There’s a wide array of nail polishes to choose from, each with its own unique composition, quality, color, and effect. However, you might not be aware that the nail polish you’ve been using could potentially contain harmful chemicals and animal-derived ingredients. With the increasing popularity of ethically manufactured products, including vegan nail polish, your choices can influence the future of the beauty industry.

Does nail polish contain animal ingredients? Can it be vegetarian? How can we identify vegan nail polish? These and similar questions come to mind when we think of vegan nail polish.

The focus of this article is on the answers to all your questions.

Can nail polish be vegetarian?

Traditionally, nail polish is not vegan. It contains items and products of animal origin, and it was tested on animals. This involves testing products on their skin and hair and sometimes inhaling and ingesting products inside their bodies. These are acts of animal cruelty.

By choosing vegan nail polish, we’re not just avoiding harm to animals, we’re also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable planet. This is a hopeful and optimistic step towards a future where beauty and environmental sustainability go hand in hand.

Nowadays, vegetarian products have become a buzzword. From food to vegan nail polish, the word has changed how we live. You may have heard that vegan products replace dairy products like brownies, cakes, and breads.

Vegan nail polish is a game changer for women who want to balance beauty and environmental sustainability.

What is vegetarian nail polish?

Vegan nail polish is a type of nail polish that does not contain animal ingredients. Often, nail polish contains animal ingredients. There are natural and vegan alternatives to vegan nail polish, so there is no animal cruelty.

The term “vegetarian” includes animal meat, animal skin, eggs, dairy products, and any other animal ingredients. They contain no animal ingredients and are not tested on animals.

Ingredients for animal-based nail polish

What makes vegan nail polish different from traditional animal-derived nail polish? It’s the ingredients. Here are some ingredients of animal origin commonly used in nail paints.

Guanine

Do you like the way nail polish glows on your nails? The key ingredient behind this flash is often guanine. It is a crystal-like product extracted from fish scales. Because of the luster it produces, it is also known as pearl essence.

Rouge

Another commonly used animal-derived ingredient in nail polish is carmine. You can find it in red nail polish as a pigment. It is made from an insect called cochineal. Female insects are ground up and cooked into a carmine. Due to its bright red color, it is also known as the Crimson Lake.

Oleic acid

Oleic acid is an animal-derived component usually found in animals. It enhances the shine and consistency of nail polish.

Squalene

You can also find squalene in vegan nail polish. So what’s the difference? Squalene can be extracted from both animals and plants. Typical nail polish contains squalene, which is derived from shark liver oil. Therefore, it is a non-vegetarian element.

Fat

Butter is a moisturizing and hydrating ingredient in nail polish. It is derived from animal fat and is also widely used in other cosmetics and skin care products. In addition to being derived from animals, vegan nail polish takes another approach.

Shellac

Shellac gives nail polish its quick drying and shiny properties. It is derived from bugs and is, therefore, not vegetarian. Thousands of insects are killed to obtain this ingredient; only a minimal product is received.

keratin

Keratin is a common ingredient in cosmetics, especially nail polish. It is an animal protein used to nourish hair, nails, and skin. It is usually derived from mammals such as rabbits, horses, and cows. Keratin can significantly strengthen nails, but this is only temporary.

Perfume

Perfume is an essential part of nail polish. It removes harsh chemical odors and gives polish a soft fragrance. You may not know that some perfumes contain animal ingredients, such as musk oil, ambergris, and shark liver oil. In the process of extracting these ingredients, many animals are harmed.

All of these ingredients are animal-sourced and non-vegetarian. They are not irreplaceable, but there are vegetarian and cruelty-free alternatives. When buying vegan nail polish, you must ensure it does not contain any of these ingredients.

Vegetarian nail polish ingredients

In addition to avoiding ingredients of animal origin, you must look for common ingredients. Here are two of the most common ingredients in vegan nail polish. They provide the same effects as non-vegan nail polish and add nutritional and nail care qualities.

Garlic juice

Garlic is a natural booster of nail growth. Its extracts can make nails strong and help them grow faster. Some vegan nail polishes contain garlic extract because it contains selenium. Selenium makes nails strong and healthy.

Soybean amino acid

Soy amino acids are extracted from the soybean plant and used as a substitute for animal protein. Their main function is to hydrate and moisturize nails. They trap moisture in the nails and prevent them from drying out or becoming brittle.

Horsetail extraction

From the name, it is a non-vegetarian ingredient. However, it is not. Horsetail refers to a kind of plant. Its extracts work wonders for strengthening nails and maintaining a natural shine. It also prevents them from breaking and bending. Many vegan nail polishes contain this ingredient.

Why vegan nail polish is Better?

There is a long list of reasons vegan nail polish should be your first choice. Here’s a brief look at some of them, showing why switching to vegan nail polish is the best thing you can do for your nails.

No harsh chemicals

Vegan nail polish gives you a guilt-free beauty experience. What say you? They do not contain harmful or irritating chemicals that can damage the nail’s surface. Regularly using animal-based nail polish can lead to dry, dehydrated, and rough nails.

The reason is the use of toxic chemicals irritating the nails. Vegan nail polish does not contain any toxins or chemicals. It is also 5-, 7-, 11-, and 17-. This number represents the amount of chemical-free nail polish.

Friendly

As a responsible citizen, you must ensure that none of your activities harm the environment. Vegan nail polish allows you to do just that. It does not involve harming or killing animals to make products.

This type of nail polish uses plant-based alternatives rather than ingredients of animal origin. They also prevent allergic reactions, irritation, and itchy skin.

Nourishing nails

The vegetarian ingredients in these nail polishes play a huge role in nourishing nails. These ingredients keep nails hydrated, strengthen them, keep them flexible, and improve their shine.

Regular nail polish also contains some nutrients. However, their effects are temporary. On the other hand, the natural ingredients of vegan nail polish can produce long-lasting results.

Prevent staining

Nail staining is a common problem for women who wear nail polish regularly. Dark and dark colors can leave yellow stains on your nails that look uncomfortable. They are also difficult to remove and may remain on the nail until it grows, at which point you cut off the stained part. Vegan nail polish prevents nails from staining.

They do not contain harsh pigments that leave permanent marks on nails. Unlike traditional nail polish, vegan nail polish doesn’t trap fungus or bacteria in your nails. Therefore, the possibility of staining the nails is minimal when using vegan nail polish.

Wafer resistance

The chemicals used in traditional nail polish can cause nails to chip, crack, and break. Vegan nail polish, with its chip-resistant properties, provides a barrier to all these problems. Chapped nails can result from excessive dryness. Because vegan nail polish keeps nails hydrated, it prevents them from chipping.

No animal testing

Most vegan nail polishes are also cruelty-free, which means they are not tested on animals. Animal testing is an inhumane process because it leads to the death of hundreds of animals. Sometimes, animals suffer injuries and deformities that affect their lives. By promoting and buying such nail polish, you play your part in reducing animal suffering.

Environmental protection

Vegan nail polish does not contain harsh and toxic chemicals. The waste is also biodegradable and environmentally friendly, making it better for the environment than non-vegetarian options. The production process does not involve harming animals, and some brands also offer eco-friendly packaging for their nail polish.

How do you choose vegetarian nail polish?

Vegan nail polish not only works the same, but it also looks the same. You may need help recognizing or distinguishing it. When choosing vegan nail polish, you must consider the following factors.

• Please make sure there are no animal ingredients in it. Due to the complexity of the names, some ingredients may appear to be of something other than animal origin. Please do some research and make sure they’re all vegetarians.
• Choose a brand that does not test its products on animals. These brands and products are called “cruelty-free.”
• Look for botanicals in the product.
• Choose a vegan-certified brand. Some brands may claim to be vegan but do not meet quality standards. Vegan-certified brands are trustworthy.

Vegan vs. cruelty-free

Vegan and cruelty-free are often used interchangeably. There is a difference. Vegan nail polish is made from plant-based ingredients and does not contain any ingredients of animal origin. It can be tested on animals.

Cruelty-free nail polish, on the other hand, has not been tested on animals. No animals were harmed during the production and testing of these nail polishes, so their production is ethical.

Conclusion

Vegan nail polish is becoming increasingly popular among women. This is not only because of its environmental and animal-friendly characteristics but also because it has a good effect on the nails. There is no difference in nail polish color, shine, or longevity. The only difference is the ingredients and testing of the product, which makes vegan nail polish a special beauty product.

Whether you choose a vegan lifestyle, your nails will thank you for switching to vegan nail polish.

After years of technological revolution and outstanding scientific achievements, we can now produce vegetarian alternatives with most ingredients of animal origin.

The market is brimming with a variety of vegan cosmetics and nail polish brands. By choosing to buy from a trusted and certified source, you can enjoy guilt-free, vibrant nails. The satisfaction of making an ethical choice is an added bonus to the beauty and vibrancy that vegan nail polish brings to your nails.