Nail polish often contains animal products and toxic chemicals you do not want anywhere near your skin.
Luckily, things are shaping up in the nail lacquer world.
Nail polish is becoming gradually more ethical and nontoxic with better new brands and ingredients emerging.
To help you find the best vegan nail polish, we have made a list of our favorite brands and polishes on the market right now.
What Makes Nail Polish Vegan?
Nail polish is vegan if it does not contain animal products or byproducts. Also, vegan nail polish must not be tested on animals.
The most common animal-derived components in nail polish are shellac, guanine, carmine, and oleic acid.
- Shellac – high-gloss ingredient produced by female lice
- Guanine – aka pearl essence, shine agent made from fish scales
- Carmine – deep red dye made of crushed red beetles
- Oleic acid – nail polish thickener made out of animal fat
What To Look For In A Vegan Nail Polish?
When shopping for vegan nail polishes, always choose a polish that has the least amount of chemicals in them.
When painting your nails, you do not want to breathe in the fumes of dibutyl phthalate, toluene, or other chemicals linked to health hazards.
Today, you can find lists of harsh chemicals and toxins to avoid. Nail polish brands call themselves accordingly: 5-free, 6-free, 9-free, or even 16-free and 21-free.
5-free means the nail polish is free of the ‘Toxic 3’ – dibutyl phthalate (DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde – as well as formaldehyde resin and camphor.
So when buying vegan nail polish, do not settle for anything less than 5-free. That way, you can enjoy an ethical polish that is also safe for you and our planet.
Vegan Nail Polish Brands
Their cruelty-free and vegan nail polish brands carry the best selection of vegan nail polishes. Discover stunning vegan polishes that are sustainable and toxin-free.
Zoya
Founded in 1986, Zoya is the pioneer in the fast-drying nail topcoat as well as the non-toxic long-wearing nail polish.
From Zoya, you will find great-quality vegan nail polishes that are sustainable and safe. Both for you and for our environment.
The company is 100% cruelty-free and currently, none of their nail polishes include any animal products. You can choose from over 500 amazing shades.
Zoya luxury vegan polishes are usually sold in showrooms and salons but you can also shop their nail polish online.
Pacifica
For almost 25 years, Pacifica has made an effort to be as planet-friendly as possible. They have also been cruelty-free and vegan from the first moment.
Along with skincare and makeup, Pacifica has a great line of nail polishes. They offer vibrant vegan nail polishes, nail care products, mani kits, and more.
From 7-free to 16-free, Pacifica nail polish is made from bio-sourced ingredients with no use of harsh chemicals. Their packaging is also eco-friendly.
Londontown
Londontown is a gorgeous American nail polish brand that is 100% vegan, cruelty-free, natural, and 9-free at the very least.
The luxury vegan nail polishes are inspired by a flower garden in the UK. Shop the most luscious shades to express your unique style.
Committed to nail care, Londontown polishes and lacquers are also infused with hydrating and nail strengthening botanicals.
Ella+Mila
Known as the elephant logo brand, Ella+Mila nail polishes are always cruelty-free, vegan. They are also proudly 17-free and made in the USA.
You can choose your vegan polish from over a hundred bright and natural colors. Ella+Mila also offers bestselling vegan basecoats, topcoats, and nail strengthening polishes.
Primarily using organic ingredients, Ella+Mila believes that nail polish should be compatible with humans, animals, and the environment.
Cirque Colors
Cirque Colors nail polish is made in small batches in Brooklyn, New York. The products are all vegan and safe with 4-free to 10-free formulas.
Discover ravishing vegan nail polish shades from metallics, glitters, holographic, and even thermal mood vegan nail polish. Cirque Colors also makes vegan nail care products.
The ethical brand also has a Do Good product line. 100% net proceeds go directly to causes you care about such as women’s rights or civil rights.
Orly
Based in Los Angeles, Orly was born out of the motivation to create natural nail care that would be clean and non-toxic.
Orly is not a 100% vegan brand but their nail lacquers, gel nail polishes, and other nail colors are all vegan-friendly.
Orly’s vegan nail polish selection includes a large variety of colors. Burgundy red, pastel purple, turquoise blue, or neon yellow – you name it, they have it.
We are currently in love with Orly’s Super Bloom line. The vegan polishes are breathable, non-toxic, and inspired by beautiful flowers.
Law Beauty Essentials
Law Beauty Essentials is an American black-owned company that is built on honesty and transparency. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and non-toxic.
The goal of Law Beauty is to promote nail health. For that, they have created an amazing vegan base coat that is enriched with calcium, biotin, and protein.
In their selection of vegan nail polish, you will find a contemporary line of deep, confident shades such as black, green, orange, and fuchsia.
Barry M
Barry M is a vegan nail polish and makeup brand from London. Born in 1982, they set out to create the most colorful cosmetics brand in the UK.
The brand offers bright vegan nail polishes, vegan topcoats, vegan basecoats, vegan nail care products, and nail accessories.
Fans love the breathable vegan nail paint that features Barry M’s famous high shine, anti-chip finish. The nail polishes are ethically made in the UK.
Sienna
Sienna is a sustainable female-founded Australian vegan nail polish brand. They aim to make the world a cleaner place through non-toxic and plant-based nail products.
Their nail polishes are all certified vegan and cruelty-free and made from natural and safe ingredients such as sugarcane, cotton, and corn.
The natural polishes are also water permeable, breathable, and free of nanoparticles, aluminum, microplastic, and all major toxic ingredients.
Sienna’s vegan nail polish collections are just stunning. We love that they have included nude shades for every skin tone, be it pale, dark, or olive.
Kester Black
Kester Black is a cosmetics company that stands for ethics and social equality in the world. The Australian company is 100% vegan and certified carbon neutral.
From Kester Black, you will find a stunning range of sustainable vegan nail polishes. The shade range from subtle light tones to outstanding lime green.
The vegan nail polishes are 12-free and use organic ingredients. Their packaging is also beautiful with an elegant and minimalist product design.
Plant Pots by Ciaté London
Ciaté London is a PETA-certified cruelty-free makeup company founded by prominent English businesswomen Charlotte Knight.
The brand has pledged to also become fully vegan in the future. To our joy, their Plant Pot nail polishes are already vegan-friendly.
Plant Pots are both elegant and artsy. We love all their rich vegan nail lacquers from romantic warm tones and bold bright ones.
The vegan nail polish is also made from 80% natural ingredients and infused with nail strengthening and ingredients such as biotin and bamboo extract.
Piggy Paint
Piggy Paint creates non-toxic nail polishes that are all vegan and made in the USA.
The vegan nail polish from Piggy Paint is so natural and safe that it is also suitable for children and pregnant women.
Piggy Paint is also free of alcohol and water-based. This awesome vegan polish brand offers all the shades that you can find in the rainbow.
Deco Miami
Deco Miami is a female-owned brand famous for its colorful nail stickers, nail accessories, and nail polishes. All of which are vegan and cruelty-free.
The brand also has fantastic vegan nail polishes in every possible shade. Glitters, metallics, and cremes – you are sure to find your favorite amongst them.
Deco Miami is also one of the most affordable vegan nail polish brands. Plus, their nail polishes are free of all the common toxic ingredients.
Best Vegan Nail Polish
Looking for a great vegan nail polish? See our top picks for 2023 from Zoya, Londontown, and Ella+Mila, and other cruelty-free brands.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Overall
We love Zoya vegan nail polish. It is toxin-free and reliable. with professional salon quality. The polish is long-lasting, full-coverage, and easy to apply.
The nail polish is free of all major toxic ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, DBP, TPHP, parabens, xylene, and ethyl tosylamide.
Pick your favorite vegan Zoya from a range of impressive colors.
Best Natural Vegan Nail Polish
Londontown Lakur Enhanced Colour
If you are looking for natural vegan nail polish, go for Londotown Lakur. This vegan nail lacquer is a whopping 16+ free and infused with premium botanicals.
Enjoy a long-lasting, high-pigment, and breathable vegan nail polish that includes no toxic elements whatsoever.
Best Quick-Dry Vegan Nail Polish
We love Essie’s fast-drying vegan nail polish with hardener. It dries in 5 minutes or even quicker. You don’t even need a basecoat or a topcoat.
Just apply two coats of Essie Expressie and you are good to go. The polish has also a thin angled fiber brush for a precise application.
Best Longwear Vegan Nail Polish
This plant-based vegan nail polish has a revolutionary long-lasting formula. It lasts for many days no matter your lifestyle.
The nail polish is made of 73% natural and vegetable-derived ingredients. It is also incredibly safe and sustainable with a 21-free marking.
Enjoy a high-shine finish of vibrant colors that stay untouched for days to come.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Basecoat
A fan favorite, Ella+Mila’s vegan basecoat leaves your nails super smooth and helps the paint to stay fresh longer.
This vegan polish is 17-free (at minimum) and formulated without formaldehyde, toluene, DBP, formaldehyde resin, camphor, and other chemicals.
Ella+Mila’s beautiful nail lacquers are all PETA-certified vegan and made in the USA.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Topcoat
Sally Hansen – Good. Kind. Pure
Sally Hansen is one of the most trusted nail polish brands in the world.
Though not a vegan brand, they recently launched a 100% vegan nail polish line that includes an amazing vegan top layer.
The vegan topcoat helps your nail color to stay vibrant and smudge-free for a long time with a luxurious glossy finish.
The Good.Kind.Pure vegan range is also non-toxic and 16-free. Enjoy 30 plant-based nail polishes along with a vegan topcoat and vegan hardener.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Set
This elegant, 5-piece vegan French manicure set will never go out of style.
We love the subtle and sheer nude tones in this set. The vegan polish is also easy to apply, dries in a flash, and lasts for a long time.
No shady stuff is included in the set. It’s free of toluene, formaldehyde, dibutyl phthalate, and other toxins with its 12-free marking.
The nail polish set is also super affordable and it is ethically made in the USA.
Best Growth-Enhancing Vegan Nail Polish
If you are looking for vegan nail polish for nail growth, we love this one from Ella+Mila. The nail polish enhances nail growth while strengthening your nails.
This vegan nail growth treatment is infused with vitamin E to repair weak and brittle nails. It stops your nails from cracking and aids quicker growth.
This vegan nail polish from the famous “elephant brand” is also toxin-free, made in the USA, and certified vegan.
Best Vegan Gel Nail Polish
This vegan gel nail polish from Londontown gives you a professional gel manicure that lasts up to 3 weeks.
We love this vegan gel and the shade range above everything. Enjoy luxurious nail colors with a glossy finish that is entirely smudge-proof.
The gel has no toxic fumes or ingredients. Only the best botanicals to nourish and fortify your nails with vitamin E, chamomile extract, and other plants.
All you need is a UV/LED light lamp and you can enjoy a beautiful manicure for weeks. The wide brush is also cruelty-free and vegan.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Strips
Looking for a more convenient way to do a manicure? These PETA-certified vegan gel strips come to the rescue.
Just apply the suitable strip to your clean fingernail, smooth out the air bubbles and enjoy the fresh, high-gloss look.
Dashing Dive vegan nail polish strips are also really strong, dry quick, and last up to 14 days.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Powder
Revel makes the best vegan nail polish powders. Just dip your nails into the powder and enjoy a long-lasting, fast-drying, and just stunning manicure.
These revolutionary powders are non-toxic, odor-free, vegan, and cruelty-free. No UV/LED lamp is required.
Best Glitter Vegan Nail Polish
Cirque Colors Glitter Nail Polish
If you love shine and glitter, Cirque Colors vegan glitter nail polishes are made for you. Shop silver, gold, kaleidoscopic, and other hues of vegan glitter fun.
The nail polish is are also long-wearing and 4-free. It contains no toluene, DBP, formaldehyde, or formaldehyde resin.
Best Matte Vegan Nail Polish
This topcoat vegan nail polish gives your nails a gorgeous matte finish. And you can use the product on all nail polishes for the desired matte effect.
We love that the mattifying vegan nail polish is also long-lasting, chip-resistant, non-yellowing, and dries quickly.
Karma Organic creates organic makeup to keep the planet green. Their products are always non-toxic and vegan.
Best Metallic Vegan Nail Polish
786 Cosmetics Breathable Metallics
If you are looking for the perfect metallic vegan nail polish, go for this one. It has a non-toxic formula an impressive effect, and it lasts a long time.
The vegan polish is also eco-friendly and fast-drying. It is free of formaldehyde, toluene, camphor, and other hard chemicals. The polish is also halal.
Shop Brunei – silver metallic
Shop Dubai – gold metallic
Best Holographic Vegan Nail Polish
Ownest Holographic Nail Polish
It’s magical how holographic nails play with the light. Try it out yourself with our favorite holographic vegan nail polish from Owners.
This vegan nail polish is environmentally friendly, salon-quality, and made with non-toxic components.
Best Magnetic Vegan Nail Polish
The vegan magnetic nail polish by LivOliv is amazing.
It consists of small metal particles that are activated when you put a magnet near the nail. The result is a striking pattern on the nail.
Based in the UK, LivOliv nail polishes are high-quality, cruelty-free, vegan, and non-toxic.
Best Vegan Nail Polish Remover
Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
This vegan nail polish remover is so gentle on your nails. It removes nail polish with just one swipe without drying out or ruining your nail surface.
This natural vegan nail polish remover is mineral-enriched and acetone-free as well as free of other unnecessary chemicals.
FAQ About Vegan Nail Polish
Nail polish can be vegan but it often is not. The typical ingredients that make nail polish not vegan are shellac, guanine, carmine, and oleic acid.
Yes. Vegans can wear nail polish if the nail polish is vegan, i.e. free of animal products and not animal tested.
Zoya, Barry M, Ere Perez, Deco Miami, Piggy Paint, and Pacifica are all 100% vegan nail polish brands.
The best vegan nail polish is Zoya Nail Lacquer. The brand makes great quality vegan nail polish that is also free of harsh chemicals.
Yes. Vegan nail polish tends to be more natural, cleaner, and free from shady animal-derived ingredients. Better for you, better for the planet.
You can find the best selection of vegan nail polishes online, especially on Amazon.
The best drugstore vegan nail polishes are Zoya, Piggy Paint, and Pacifica.
The best vegan nail polish for men is Atomic Carbon Matte Black Nail Polish.
Gel polish can be vegan if it is free from animal by-products and not tested on animals.
Not necessarily. OPI nail polish can contain animal ingredients. However, OPI Nature Strong collection is 100% vegan and certified by The Vegan Society.
No, Maybelline products are not vegan since the company tests on animals.
The Patent Shine 10X nail lacquers from Butter London are vegan. Other collections are not.
Some NYX nail polishes can be vegan but the brand is not 100% vegan. NYX is also owned by L’Oreal that tests on animals.
No. Kiko is a cruelty-free brand but many of their nail polishes include animal ingredients.
No. Sinful Colors tests on animals and their products could contain animal-derived products.
Summary
Today, vegan nail polish is easier to find than ever before. From vegan nail lacquers to glitter and magnetic nail polishes – nail beauty in 2023 has gone cruelty-free.
When choosing vegan nail polish, you will almost always get the more natural option. Vegan polishes are free of toxic chemicals and packed with natural, skin-friendly pigment.
There are so many vegan nail brands that deserve the spotlight. Our current favorite vegan nail polish brands are Zoya, Pacifica, Londontown, and Ella+Mila.
Our quest to find new vegan nail polishes does not end here. As we meet new brands and lines all the time, we will add the best ones to this very list.
See also: List Of 100% Vegan Nail Polish Brands, Vegan Makeup
