Women are very concerned about their beauty and appearance, which is why they do their best to be beautiful on a daily basis. So they try to choose the best beauty products that will showcase them. Among these products, nail polish is a must for the beauty of the hands, since it allows to give the nails a bright, colorful and neat appearance. However, most women are unaware that these small, attractively colored flasks have very poor health effects. Discover them, as well as some natural alternatives to replace them.
Nail polish, a health danger
Recently, a group of researchers from Duke University in the United States conducted a study on 26 women to find out if they had traces of chemical toxins in the body. The results published in Environment International showed that tests were positive for the vast majority of them, and it turned out that nail polish was the source of these toxins. In fact, 24 women had high levels of diphenyl phosphate, a substance that forms when the body metabolizes triphenylphosphate (HPT), only 10 hours after applying this product.
To further investigate, the same group of researchers tested 10 varnishes in search of triphenylphosphate, and discovered its presence in 8 of them. In addition, 2 of these did not mention it on their label. In other words, nearly 20% of varnish manufacturers neglect to mention the presence of this dangerous chemical component in the list of their ingredients.
What is triphenylphosphate?
Triphenylphosphate, used to soften the texture of nail varnish and make it last, has been incorporated into the varnish composition to replace certain phthalates (eg dibutyl phthalate), chemical compounds known for their disruptive effect on the hormonal system , As well as their toxicity to the reproductive system. However, this alternative is no better, since TPHP is also responsible for endocrine disruption, developmental disorders, metabolism and reproduction. These are all the more important for growing young girls and girls who apply it regularly.
Other harmful substances in nail polish
TPHP is not the only harmful component in nail polish. The latter contains other harmful substances including:
Formaldehyde: It is known to be carcinogenic and for its ability to dissolve in water and air. Moreover, it is this which gives the varnish its characteristic strong odor, and is often a source of itchy throat, asthma and breathing difficulties. In addition, people suffering from chronic diseases are particularly susceptible to poisoning by formaldehyde.
Toluene: a chemical that affects the good development of children, and some scientific research has found traces of it in human milk. Over the long term, it can also cause skin irritation.
Are there any natural alternatives to varnish?
Yes ! Here are some examples:
- "It was a varnish": Bio and vegan, the 28 shades of this varnish do not contain components dangerous for health, such as formaldehyde, toluene or formaldehyde resin.
- "Health Naturkosmetik": Without any animal or vegetable products or chemical substances (phthalates, toluene, camphor, etc.), this varnish preserves the nails and does not irritate the skin.
- "Zao Make up": In addition to being guaranteed without chemicals or tests on animals, this varnish also makes it possible to regenerate the nails thanks to its content of natural silica and bamboo.