Chemical reaction

It seems you're not alone. "We have more and more clients asking for natural/non-toxic manicures because people become aware of side-effects and don't want to damage their nails any more," says Emmanuel Faipoux (right) of eco-friendly salon Emmanuel f. "We also noticed a lot of pregnant women who care even more about side-effects during their pregnancy."

Formaldehyde, which has been classified as carcinogenic, is just one of several common nail polish ingredients that are considered toxic. They include toluene, a petrochemical solvent that may cause damage to fetuses, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), which carries reproductive and developmental risks and has been banned by the European Union.