What Is Vegan Nail Polish?

You might be surprised to learn that not all nail polish is vegan. Many traditional polishes contain animal-derived ingredients. But what exactly makes a nail polish vegan, and why should you care?

Animal-Derived Ingredients in Polish

Non-vegan polishes often use ingredients like carmine (crushed beetles used for red pigment), guanine (fish scales used for shimmer), or keratin (animal protein used for strengthening). Vegan nail polish is formulated entirely without these animal byproducts.

Cruelty-Free and Cleaner Formulas

In addition to being free of animal ingredients, vegan polishes are almost always cruelty-free (not tested on animals) and tend to have cleaner, less toxic formulations (like 10-free or higher). Choosing vegan polish is a compassionate choice for animals and a healthier choice for your nails.