Today, more and more nail lovers are looking for nail polishes that are as beautiful as they are safe. But whether it's with classic polish or Gel Polish, is it possible to have a flawless manicure without compromising nail care and health? And conversely, can a clean polish offer the same long wear and finish as a traditional polish? At Manucurist, we believe that yes, it's possible – and here’s the proof in this ultimate guide to clean, bio-sourced and eco-friendly nail polish.
Let’s start by remembering that, just like skin and hair, nails absorb what we apply to them. It’s important to be careful when choosing cosmetics. A clean polish is a nail polish with a formula that respects your nails, your health and minimizes environmental impact. Here’s how, at Manucurist, we bring this clean, responsible beauty approach to life.
Bye-bye to harmful ingredients
Traditional polish formulas can include substances that are allergenic, sensitizing or even considered controversial in terms of health. Among the main culprits to watch out for are:
Methacrylate monomers HEMA and DI-HEMA-TMHDC
Among the controversial ingredients found in conventional Gel Polishes, methacrylate monomers (known as HEMA and di-HEMA TMHDC) are particularly concerning. Under UV or LED light, these monomers bond together to create a hard, durable film that ensures long-lasting wear. The problem is that they can trigger severe allergic and inflammatory reactions. In fact, they have been banned for public sale since 2021. Only professionals are allowed to use them, provided they have the necessary equipment and training.
Since its launch in 2020, our Green Flash™ Gel Polish formula has been free of HEMA and other (meth)acrylates. This is a strong commitment we uphold to protect all our users – both nail enthusiasts and professional manicurists.
Enjoy your Green Flash™ Gel Polish manicure with complete peace of mind: it contains no HEMA or DI-HEMA-TMHDC.
Endocrine disruptors
A truly clean polish must exclude endocrine disruptors, which are chemical substances capable of interfering with hormonal balance, even in tiny amounts. Commonly found in many conventional cosmetics, some were used for their plasticizing or preserving properties – but at what cost? Components to avoid include toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde, all of which are classified as CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic) and strictly regulated or banned in the latest EU formulas. At Manucurist, our Green™ and Green Flash™ polishes are guaranteed free of toluene, DBP and formaldehyde, as well as any other ingredient considered a risk to health or the environment.
Endocrine disruptors are ingredients that have no place in a clean polish formula.
The clean polish checklist
How do you know if your nail polish is truly clean? Here’s our checklist:
✅ A 12-free polish
A clean polish is one whose formula excludes as many controversial ingredients as possible compared to traditional formulas. In addition to the harmful ingredients mentioned above, a clean polish should also avoid: camphor, xylene, hydroquinone, ethyl tosylamide, triphenyl phosphate, benzophenone, styrene and phenoxyethanol.
At Manucurist, our Green™ formula is 9-free and Green Flash™ is 12-free.
✅ A bio-sourced polish
Don’t be misled: “bio-sourced” doesn’t mean “organic”. An organic ingredient comes from certified farming, free from pesticides and GMOs, whereas a bio-sourced ingredient refers to a renewable plant-based raw material. Our polishes are bio-sourced up to 83% for Green™ and 84% for Green Flash™, replacing petroleum-derived solvents or plasticizers with plant-based alternatives. Examples include:
- 🌽 Corn provides acetyl tributyl citrate, which helps the polish form a smooth, glossy layer.
- 🎋 Sugarcane provides ethyl acetate, ensuring fluidity and ease of application.
- 🍠 Manioc (cassava) is used to produce butyl acetate, which also aids smooth application.
- ☁️ Cotton provides nitrocellulose, ensuring durability.
These ingredients may not be organic, but they help reduce carbon footprint, use renewable resources and deliver biodegradable, healthier formulas for your nails.
Cassava, sugarcane, cotton, corn, potato… our plant-based alternatives to petroleum-derived solvents and plasticizers.
✅ A polish with natural active ingredients
A clean polish is one whose plant-based ingredients not only replace synthetic molecules but also bring multiple benefits to your nails. At Manucurist, we’re constantly exploring the extraordinary power of plants to enhance your manicure. You’ll find these natural actives particularly in our Active™ treatment polishes as well as our base coats, top coats, removers and other nail care products. Here are some of the plant-based actives we use for:
💧 Hydration: raspberry extract, moringa seed extract, plant collagen, pomegranate extract, coconut oil, rapeseed oil…
🍽️ Nourishment: sweet almond oil, avocado extract, castor oil, peach extract…
💪 Strength: green tea extract, spinach extract, lemon extract…
🛡️ Protection: pistachio gum, hibiscus flower extract, ginseng extract…
🍇 Natural antioxidants: beetroot extract, grape extract, cranberry extract, blueberry extract, walnut oil…
Treat your nails to the goodness of plants.
✅ A vegan & cruelty-free polish
Choosing a clean polish also means choosing a more ethical and responsible beauty approach. All Manucurist polishes are:
- Vegan, meaning they’re formulated without any animal-derived ingredients (no carmine, pigments from cochineal or animal keratin),
- Cruelty-free, meaning never tested on animals at any stage of development, in compliance with EU regulations.
👉 Find more info about our PETA certification in this article.
✅ Easy and safe application & removal
As we’ve seen, being bio-sourced doesn’t make a polish harder to apply. Thanks to carefully selected plant-based alternatives, it remains smooth, flexible and quick-drying. At Manucurist, we’ve chosen LED lamps instead of the UV lamps traditionally used in salons. LED lamps cure Gel Polish faster, emit less intense UV rays and use less energy.
A clean polish also means a removal process that’s gentle on the nail. No more harsh removers with toxic ingredients like acetone, or filing and drilling that leave nails damaged! We prefer gentle methods with bio-sourced remover enriched with plant oils, which allows you to remove color easily and quickly while hydrating the nail plate.
LED lamps and gentle removers for a smooth & easy application and removal process.
👉 Learn more about removing regular polish here and Gel Polish here.
✅ A polish that doesn’t compromise on performance
When it comes to performance, a clean polish can hold its own against traditional formulas! Green™ and Green Flash™ polishes tick all the boxes:
✨ Mirror shine with a gel-effect finish.
🌈 Over 90 vibrant shades, from soft nudes to iconic reds, plus pops of color, pearly tones and glitters.
⏱️ Long wear: up to 7 days (Green™), up to 12 days (Green Flash™).
Clean, yes – but always ultra-desirable!
✅ An eco-friendly polish from start to finish
A clean polish is as mindful of the planet as it is of what’s inside the bottle. At Manucurist, our commitment to sustainability is holistic – extending to packaging, tools and logistics. Here are some examples:
♻️ Nail polish, nail care and remover bottles are made of recyclable glass, orange wood sticks are compostable, and our nail art glitter is biodegradable.
🌲 Pouches are made of GOTS-certified organic cotton (Global Organic Textile Standard) and brush handles are made of FSC-certified wood (from responsibly managed forests).
📦 Packaging boxes are FSC-certified, there’s no plastic over-packaging, packing chips are 100% corn-starch, and we optimize logistics to reduce waste.
A greener manicure also means more conscious choices – from formulation to final delivery. There’s still progress to make, but every step counts!
In short, choosing a clean polish means opting for formulas made with natural-origin ingredients, free of risks for you and the planet, without giving up on style or the joy of a beautiful, long-lasting manicure. Why miss out? 🌱🐰💅
