What’s the Carbon Footprint of Nail Polish? Toxic or Green Cosmetics?

Nail polish comes in a very small container and most consumers only apply it every few days, but the carbon footprint of nail polish is deceptively large!

This article explores the carbon emissions generated by all three scopes of nail polish manufacture and use while also taking a closer look at questionable chemicals that are likely to pose a dual risk to environment and consumer health.

Read more to explore eco-friendly nail polish alternatives and discover choices that can lower the carbon footprint of your nail care routine today!

Examining the Carbon Footprint of Nail Polish

With the impacts of climate change becoming increasingly evident across the globe, carbon footprint calculation, awareness, and action are more important than ever.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a graph representing greenhouse gas emissions,⁵ or CO₂e, in the U.S. over three decades from 1990 through 2020.

And while this graph demonstrates a slight downturn in emissions since the early aughts, the United States’ annual carbon footprint remains astronomical.⁵ Furthermore, the industry sector falls just behind transportation and electricity generation as leaders in CO₂e emissions.¹⁰

With individuals, companies, countries, etc., emissions might be reported as an annual carbon footprint statistic (See this “Carbon Footprint Factsheet”).³ With products, it is becoming increasingly common to estimate and report a lifetime, cradle-to-grave, carbon footprint.

In other words, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated,¹⁸ directly or indirectly, at every step of the product’s life cycle, from raw material collection all the way to the disposal of used (or unused) products contributes to the lifetime carbon footprint.

When determining how to calculate carbon footprint manually for a bottle of nail polish, it is important to understand the depth and breadth of the industry that supports the manufacture, distribution, consumption, use, and disposal of a single container of polish.

Nail polish is a prominent feature of the cosmetics industry, and the use of nail polish as well as its application technology has evolved to keep pace with ever-changing fashion trends.

The nail industry, as a whole, generates significant carbon emissions through the manufacture and consumption of various nail products, such as nail files, nail clippers, nail polish remover, nail art, fake nails, as well as the operations of nail salons.

But how does one begin to parse out the carbon footprint of nail polish as an isolated product?

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no simple way to figure the exact Global Warming Potential (GWP) of nail polish as carbon emissions calculators require the input of data that leading developers are not yet reporting on a product-by-product level.¹⁹ What is known is that the formulation of traditional nail polish is similar to, though marginally safer than, that of interior paints.

A single can of household paint is estimated as responsible for over 13 kg of CO₂e emissions.¹⁷ A single bottle of nail polish, though significantly smaller, is developed through comparable processes.

A ballpark estimate might place the emissions of a single bottle of nail polish in the range of 3 to 5 kg of CO₂e.

A Closer Look at the Carbon Footprint of Nail Polish Remover

Likewise, the carbon footprint of nail polish removers as isolated products has not yet been officially reported. Nail polish remover is a solvent, often acetone-based, though many formulations now rely on ethyl acetate instead.

A study from 2013 on recycled solvents reported that acetone generated an average carbon footprint of 421 kg CO₂e per every 1,000 kg of recycled solvent. In contrast, the same amount of non-recycled acetone generated 2,040 kg of CO₂e!¹

More information is needed to determine the carbon emissions from a single bottle of polish remover.

The Best Natural Alternatives to Nail Polish

Natural alternatives to nail polishes are becoming increasingly available, but it is important to remember that the term “natural” in cosmetics is not FDA or FTC regulated and can be used to misrepresent products and their ingredients. Consumers should always take a closer look at product ingredients and keep an eye out for particular chemicals in their health and beauty products.

A shortlist of ingredients to avoid, which are known to be included in many nail polish formulations include:¹⁶

• Toluene²⁰
• Formaldehyde²¹
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)²²

What Is Natural Nail Polish?

“Natural nail polish” is the label found on nail polish brands, lines, or products that have been formulated in a way to make them safer and/or greener than traditional nail polishes. The adjective “natural,” as used in product descriptions, can seem a bit ambiguous at the best of times and arbitrary at the worst.

However, many products advertised as “natural,” though not necessarily perfect, do constitute a considerable improvement over their predecessors.

In the nail polish industry, “natural” is often used to imply non-toxic, organic, or plant-based ingredients, and it is left to the consumer to read the fine print to determine the significance of the descriptor in each case.¹⁶

Is Nail Polish Toxic?

As the general public becomes more aware of harmful ingredients in everyday products, many people have found themselves asking “Is nail polish toxic?” Unfortunately, the answer for most polishes is almost certainly yes.

While some manufacturers have eliminated known harmful ingredients such as toluene, dibutyl phthalate, and formaldehyde from their formulations, other manufacturers continue to use these along with other potentially harmful ingredients such as polymers, plasticizers, fragrances, and dyes.⁸

What Is Non-Toxic Nail Polish?

Understanding that a non-toxic label doesn’t mean definitively that there are no toxic ingredients in a product. Rather, it means that the product does not include toxic ingredients that have been officially banned, and that the product meets the manufacturer’s safety standards.¹¹

Most polishes labeled as “non toxic nail polish” are manufactured without the three harmful ingredients mentioned above that were historically part of the chemical composition of nail varnish (toluene, DBP, formaldehyde).

Many manufacturers have replaced these chemicals with lesser known alternatives that appear safer, at least in part due to the limited information available.¹¹

In other words, it is not enough to purchase a nail polish that is free of the 3 ingredients to avoid. Consumers should also scrutinize the substituted ingredients.

Some alternative ingredients that have already demonstrated environmental harm and health risks include benzophenone and triphenyl phosphate.

The good news is that more companies are attempting to formulate safer nail polish alternatives, but there are still a lot of unknowns, particularly where long-term health effects are concerned. Choose products from reputable, eco-conscious manufacturers who label products clearly.

What Is Vegan Nail Polish?

Vegan nail polish is a type of polish that has been produced without animal-derived ingredients, such as carmine, guanine, and certain fragrances. Vegan polishes are cruelty-free, meaning they are not tested on animals.

Furthermore, they are made from plant-based alternatives, such as garlic extract, that are beneficial to nail health and kinder to animals.^14,15

Are Sustainable Beauty Products Safer and Better for the Environment?

“Green” and “sustainable” are another couple terms that are sometimes used a bit recklessly for marketing purposes, but green cosmetics usually refers to products sourced from natural or organic ingredients and renewable materials. The move towards sustainable beauty products is absolutely imperative to curb the emissions from the ever growing cosmetics industry.

The green market, while really still in its infancy with plenty of room for growth and improvement, has truly come a long way in the last decade or so.⁶

Cosmetics marketed as sustainable or green are typically both safer and better for the environment than traditional cosmetics without these marketing tags. It is important to note, however, that two products may both be advertised as “sustainable” while being held to rather different standards.

Furthermore, research on the safety and environmental impact of many new formulations is still ongoing. When shopping for sustainable cosmetics, always check the ingredients, and research any that seem questionable or unfamiliar.

The Carbon Footprint of Eco-Friendly Nail Polish

The carbon footprint of any cosmetic product is amplified by the types of raw materials used in manufacturing, the source of energy used in manufacturing, the transportation of materials and goods, and the waste generated.

Companies researching and manufacturing eco-friendly nail polish have a real opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint across all of these domains.

Materials

By replacing petroleum-derived ingredients (plastics) with plant-based, biodegradable ingredients, manufacturers can reduce the carbon emissions from collecting, processing, and producing plasticizers and polymers as well as the environmental and health impacts associated with plastic waste in landfills.

Energy

Most energy used in manufacturing is sourced from traditional electric-generating facilities, usually fossil-fuel powered. This is very carbon intensive.

Alternatives such as wind power, solar power, and hydropower can demonstrably reduce the carbon impact of purchased energy.

Transportation

Large-scale manufacturers of well-known nail polish brands often have manufacturing facilities located internationally, requiring the transportation of materials and products by air, sea, and land across long distances. This generates significant emissions through fossil fuel combustion.

By localizing supply chains and manufacturing and using electric and bio-fuel powered vehicles, eco-friendly companies can shrink their carbon footprint.

Disposal

Waste generated from traditional nail polish is among its most serious drawbacks. Eco-friendly cosmetic companies can replace single-use polish bottles with containers that biodegrade or can be recycled and reused.

Further, companies should make an effort to facilitate recycling programs for their goods.

These are the four largest contributors to the carbon footprint of nail polish, and the more steps a company takes in each of these areas, the smaller their carbon footprint will shrink! ^{4, 9, 13}

Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Nail Polish

Here are methods to decrease the carbon footprint of your nail polish:

1. Selective Purchasing

There are several changes consumers can make to reduce the carbon footprint of nail polish. The first, and most important step, is to make more eco-minded choices when choosing nail polishes.

Look at the ingredient lists on individual products. Search for brands that are “3-Free” or better, vegan and organic, with an established reputation for ecological awareness.¹²

2. Do-It-Yourself

The amount of chemicals and chemical exposure in nail salons should deter many individuals from professional manicures. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from many salon ingredients are known health and environmental hazards.²

When applying nail polish, do so at home in a well-ventilated area. Avoid inhaling fumes from polish or polish remover.

3. Frequency

The term “everything in moderation” was coined for a reason: it is almost universally applicable. One of the easiest and surest ways to reduce the carbon footprint of nail polish is to buy and use less of it.

Reducing the frequency of manicures and pedicures, even those done at home, reduces the amount of carbon emissions.

4. Removing Polish

Although nail polish remover, wipes, cotton balls or whatever else an individual uses to remove their old polish does not technically factor into the carbon emissions from nail polish itself, they do become part of an overarching nail-care routine that can wreak further havoc on the environment.

Swapping an acetone-based polish remover for an organic alternative and replacing cotton balls with reusable cotton pads can make a big impact.¹²

5. End-of-Life

End-of-life treatment of nail polish is another area where consumers can make a huge difference. Nail polish should never be thrown away in the trash because the harmful chemicals can seep into the soil and water, causing dangerous contamination.

Unfortunately, this is usually exactly what happens, landing millions of nail polish bottles in landfills.

Mail-in and drop-off programs for recycling nail polish bottles are available in some areas, though this option is limited, and some people choose to upcycle empty bottles to use in crafts and decor. Otherwise, be sure to follow federal guidelines and dispose of nail polish at a hazardous waste facility.

Use the EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recover (ORCR) webpage to find local facilities.^7,24

6. Carbon Offsets

Of course, a sure proof way of offsetting carbon emissions produced through daily activity is by planting trees which can sequester excess CO₂ from the atmosphere! Individuals who live in areas where they are not able to plant trees can invest in organizations and projects that prioritize planting trees.

Like much of the cosmetic industry’s output, nail polish is saturated with potentially, even probably, harmful compounds like solvents and plasticizers. These substances pose safety and environmental hazards.

Individuals who enjoy a little color on their nails but also want to be eco-conscious need not despair.

Green cosmetics is a developing market and more natural, safer nail polish formulations are becoming available. Revisit this article to learn more about ingredients to avoid and practices to reduce the carbon footprint of nail polish.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Carbon Footprint of Nail Polish