Our Blacklist ingredients
We strive to include only the safest, healthiest and planet-friendly ingredients in all our formulas!
Discover below the ingredients we refuse to use due to their toxic, sensitizing, petroleum-based or otherwise harmful nature
Animal products or derivatives
In line with Manucurist sustainability initiatives, animal products are excluded from all formulas and ingredients. Animal product profiles contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and other environmental issues. In addition, Manucurist excludes the use of all ingredients that are tested on animals, making all our formulas vegan and cruelty-free.
Toluene
Considered a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) that contributes to air pollution, acts as a major component in smog and can cause respiratory damage in humans and damage for crops or other vegetation. This hazardous chemical is commonly found in paint thinners, glue and nail polish.
Camphor
Toxic substances that is known to cause nausea, dizziness and seizures, with ingestion possibly leading to respiratory failure, coma and even death.
Xylene
Exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, with prolonged exposure having the potential to cause damage to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys.
Triphenylphosphate
Commonly found in flame retardant, electronics and plastics, it has been linked to negative health effects such as endocrine disruption and developmental issues in addition to being a suspected carcinogen.
Benzophenone
Linked to cancer, endocrine disruption and organ system toxicity.
Styrene
Used in plastics, rubber and insulation materials. Exposure can cause effects such as irritation of the eyes, skin, and respiratory system as well as headaches, dizziness and nausea. Long-term exposure has been linked to cancer and other serious health conditions.
HEMA
The most frequently patch test-positive methacrylate and banned in the EU since 2021 for use in products sold to individuals. HEMA is used in traditional gels for its ability create a durable, shiny, plastic-like finish on the nails. It has a very low molecular weight and is classified as a “hapten”, which means it can easily penetrate the skin’s hydrolipidic barrier causing irritation, blisters, rashes, and long-term allergies. In addition, formulas containing HEMA are very difficult to remove as they strongly bond to nail keratin fibers, requiring them to be removed with acetone and drilling, which causes extreme nail damage.
Hydroquinone
Has been found to cause organ-system toxicity and respiratory tract irritation as well as being linked to a skin condition called ochronosis which causes the skin to turn a bluish-grey color.
Ethyl Tosylamide
Commonly found in nail polish as a plasticizer to help improve flexibility and durability, Ethyl Tosylamide has been found to be linked to skin irritation, photosensitivity and allergic reactions as well as potentially having endocrine-disruption effects.
Phthalates
Linked to reproductive problems, developmental issues and endocrine disruption, which is why these chemicals are restricted in many countries.
Parabens
Chemical preservatives used to extend the shelf life of cosmetic products, parabens are suspected of interfering with hormonal balance and disrupting the endocrine system. They have been replaced with alternative preservatives that are safer for health, ensuring the same quality and product longevity without compromise.
