Manage Your Manicure: Go Toxic-Trio Free!

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner and many of us are busy planning the perfect outfit to ring in 2014. Everything from the dress to the shoes to the accessories is chosen to match the spirit of the night’s celebrations. However, when getting ready don’t forget an essential part of your wardrobe, a manicure! A manicure is the finishing touch to your outfit, but when choosing a color make sure to keep this in mind:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics reports that the “toxic trio”, including dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde and toluene, can be found in many nail polishes. “DBP adds flexibility and a moisturizing sheen…toluene helps suspend the color and form a smooth finish across the nail…formaldehyde is found in some nail products such as nail hardener. Nail care products like strengthener, remover and glue can also contain a host of toxic chemicals”.

So, what can you do when getting your next manicure?

• Look for less toxic brands on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database
• Practice BYOP- bring your own polish, to nail salons
• Try buffering instead of lacquering
• Always apply and remove polish in a well-ventilated area

Now your New Year’s Eve outfit can be complete, and toxic free!

http://www.ewg.org/