Is it safe to use nail polish and gel products in the second trimester?

What's actually in it

Nail polish, gel polish, acrylic nails, and removers contain the "toxic trio" (toluene, formaldehyde, and dibutyl phthalate) unless specifically labeled otherwise. Even "3-free" and "7-free" polishes often contain other solvents and plasticizers that off-gas from freshly-painted nails. Nail salons have high airborne concentrations of these chemicals.

Pregnancy is a long exposure window. A weekly manicure plus trips for fills adds up.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ ran a laboratory study of chemicals in nail products and did USEtox exposure assessment. Multiple concerning compounds were identified, and exposure estimates for regular users (salon clients and workers) were non-trivial. Some chemicals weren't listed on any product label.

For pregnancy, the practical version: occasional (monthly or less) polish is fine, in a well-ventilated space. Pick 10-free or water-based polishes (Côte, Tenoverten, Babo Botanicals) rather than drugstore brands. Skip gel and acrylic for the 9 months: the removal process (acetone soak, filing) adds more chemistry than the application itself. Nail salons can be skipped entirely in favor of home polish; if going out, ask for a quiet time slot with fewer concurrent services.