That label means the brand has removed a certain number of chemicals from the lacquer, usually ones that are associated with health concerns (like formaldehyde, toluene, etc.). Did you know, though, that some of those eliminated ingredients are actually animal products? If you’re wondering, What kinds of animal products can you find in nail polish? you should know that these ingredients often fly under the radar. Traditional red lacquers often contain carmine—a dye derived from beetles that gives the polish a crimson hue; shimmery, holographic polishes can have guanine (or “pearl essence”), which comes from fish scales; and some also include oleic acid1, a fatty acid found in various animal sources, that helps thicken the varnish and add a smooth emollience. We should note that oleic acid isn’t always derived from animals (the fatty acid is also found in olive oil and shea butter), but if your ingredient list has it and you want to be sure of the source, it’s worth doing some digging. Nail Polish in No.09, sundays ($18) Classic Lacquer in Berry Jane, Pear Nova ($13.50) Nail Lacquer in Like Camel, Paint Box ($22) Nail Color in Confetti, ORLY ($9.50) Polish in SD, Olive & June ($8) Nail Lacquer in #NYFW, Mischo Beauty ($20) No. 45 Metallic Bronze Nail Polish, côte ($18) Nail Polish in ‘Cause I’m Happy, Ella + Mila ($10.50) Nail Polish in Austin, tenoverten ($12) Nail Polish in Coral Peony, JinSoon ($18) Gel Lab Pro Color in Skinny Dippin’, Deborah Lippmann ($20)
