Do nail polishes and acrylic nails expose you to toxic chemicals?

What's actually in it

Nail polishes, gel coatings, acrylic powders, and nail glues contain a mix of solvents, plasticizers, and hardeners. Common ingredients include toluene (a solvent), formaldehyde (a hardener and known carcinogen), dibutyl phthalate (a plasticizer), and various acrylate monomers. Even brands that advertise as "3-free" or "5-free" still contain other chemicals that can be harmful.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ tested a range of nail products in the lab and measured exactly what chemicals they release during normal use. The researchers used a standardized exposure model to estimate how much a person absorbs during a typical manicure.

The results showed that nail products release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air you breathe while painting your nails. Toluene and formaldehyde were among the top offenders. Acrylic products released additional chemicals including methyl methacrylate, which can cause allergic reactions and respiratory irritation.

The exposure isn't just from breathing. Chemicals also absorb through the nail bed and the skin around your nails. The study calculated that regular manicure users get a dose of endocrine-disrupting chemicals that's worth paying attention to, especially for nail salon workers who are exposed all day.

Doing your nails in a small, poorly ventilated bathroom makes the exposure worse. Opening a window or using a fan helps, but doesn't eliminate the chemicals entirely.