OPI Nail Polish Ingredients Review
Written by Irina Webb
Nail polish, as well as makeup and permanent hair color, can give you an emotional boost and help you feel better about yourself. However, it’s important to make sure that you are not paying for positive emotions with your physical health. Hence, knowing the ingredients of beauty products is vital in making safer choices.
In this OPI nail polish review, you will learn about conventional nail polish ingredients and potential concerns for your health caused by some of them. You will see the ingredients of an OPI Infinite Shine nail polish, an OPI Nature Strong nail lacquer, and the OPI Nature Strong top coat and base coat side by side to draw your own conclusion about their safety. In addition, you will learn if OPI nail products are cruelty free and if they contain triphenyl phosphate which is under assessment as a potential endocrine disruptor by the ECHA. To learn about toxic chemicals in makeup, refer to my 12 Potentially Toxic Chemicals In Makeup List.
OPI Nail Polish Ingredients Review
To begin, the OPI Nature Strong line is reportedly cruelty free and vegan, which means that the nail polishes are not tested on animals and are free of animal derived ingredients. They are formulated with ingredients derived from sugar cane, manioc, wheat, potatoes, corn, and clay. (I didn’t see such claims about the Infinite Shine collection.)
Additionally, their nail polishes are “9-free,” i.e., their formulas do not contain certain toxic chemicals. You may have heard of so-called non-toxic nail polishes free of the “toxic trio” or the “Big Five.” In the table below, you can see what chemicals constitute these three groups.
| Toxic Trio | Big Five | 9-Free |
| – dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – formaldehyde – toluene | – dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – formaldehyde – toluene – formaldehyde resin – camphor | – formaldehyde – formaldehyde resin – toluene – xylene – dibutyl phthalate (DBP) – camphor – parabens – ethyl tosylamide, and – triphenyl phosphate |
I applaud OPI for removing endocrine disrupting and toxic to reproduction dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from their formula in 2006 (source). However, even being “9-free” does not automatically make OPI nail polish safe. Why? Because when one ingredient is gone, another one comes in to perform the function of the removed one.
For instance, as one of the nail polish ingredients, dibutyl phthalate functioned as a plasticizer to help prevent chips and cracks. Obviously, removing it from the formula requires a substitute to maintain the quality of the product. So, let’s take a closer look at the OPI nail products ingredients.
OPI Nail Polish, Nail Lacquer, Top Coat, And Base Coat Ingredients
As of July 2023, the ingredients of the selected OPI nail products are as follows:
| Product | Ingredients |
| OPI Infinite Shine Nail Polish (Let’s Be Friends) | Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Benzophenone-1, Silica, Diacetone Alcohol, Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Phosphoric Acid, Barium Sulfate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Red 6,7 (CI 15850), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510). |
| OPI Nature Strong Nail Lacquer (Natural Mauvement) | Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Alcohol, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Isopropyl Alcohol, Diacetone Alcohol, Sorbic Acid, Hexanal, Lithothamnion Calcareum Extract, Phosphoric Acid, Mannitol, Barium Sulfate, Diatomaceous Earth, Zinc Sulfate, n-Butyl Alcohol, Silica, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Red 6 (CI 15850), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Iron Oxides (CI 77499). |
| OPI Nature Strong Top Coat | Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Cellulose Acetate Butyrate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Violet 2 (CI 60725). |
| OPI Nature Strong Base Coat | Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Alcohol, Glycolic Acid, Water, Gluconolactone, Malic Acid, Squalane, Lactic Acid, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Trimethylpentanediyl Dibenzoate, Bambusa Vulgaris Sap Extract, Vaccinium Myrtillus Fruit/Leaf Extract, Saccharum Officinarum/Sugar Cane Extract, Tocopherol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract, Acer Saccharum (Sugar Maple) Extract, [May Contain: Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510)]. |
Core Nail Polish Ingredients
The key nail polish ingredients in the OPI nail polish are:
- solvents
- film formers
- plasticizers
- UV absorbers/stabilizers, and
- colorants.
Let’s discuss each of these ingredient groups.
Solvents
For starters, solvents are the carriers of the other ingredients and help the nail polish flow smoothly. There are four solvents in the OPI nail polish as well as in the nail lacquer:
- ethyl acetate
- butyl acetate
- isopropyl alcohol, and
- diacetone alcohol.
According to the European Chemicals Agency database (ECHA), ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, and isopropyl alcohol may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Although these risks are more applicable to occupational settings, it is good to minimize inhalation of these nail polish ingredients by applying the nail polish in a very well-ventilated room.
As for diacetone alcohol, the US OSHA lists various respiratory issues with its use, including even damage to the liver and kidneys. Plus, it limits airborne exposure to 50 ppm over an 8-hour work shift (source). In addition to respiratory irritation, the ECHA indicates that diacetone alcohol is suspected of damaging fertility and the unborn child. However, the agency does not mention exposure amounts or the routes of exposure. So, it’s unclear if it can significantly impact fertility or the fetus through an occasional nail polish application. To exercise caution, if you are pregnant or trying to conceive, you might want to stay away from nail salons. Also, check out my helpful list of chemicals to avoid during pregnancy.
Film Formers
As nail polish ingredients, film formers help the OPI nail polish, nail lacquer, top coat, and base coat become hard, resilient, and shiny. Some film formers in these nail products are:
- nitrocellulose
- acetyl tributyl citrate
- adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer
- styrene/acrylates copolymer, and
- di-HEMA trimethylhexyl dicarbamate.
First, according to the 2016 CIR report on nitrocellulose, while formaldehyde is not listed as a potential contaminant, there is a rare possibility of an allergic reaction. Thus, French dermatologists reported an allergic reaction to nitrocellulose in nail varnish. Moreover, allegedly, nitrocellulose can contain triphenyl phosphate as a fire-retardant agent and plasticizer (source). (As you remember, triphenyl phosphate is on the OPI “9-free” list of chemicals due to its potential endocrine disruptive hazards (ECHA).)
Second, acetyl tributyl citrate has no hazards according to ECHA and was deemed non-genotoxic, non-sensitizing, and non-irritating by the CIR expert panel.
Third, the 2020 CIR report deemed adipic acid/neopentyl glycol/trimellitic anhydride copolymer to be safe for use in nail polishes. Yet, there was not enough data to determine its safety in other cosmetic products.
Fourth, the CIR expert panel describes styrene/acrylates copolymer as non-sensitizing and non-irritating, and the ECHA lists no hazards.
Finally, according to the CIR, di-HEMA trimethylhexyl dicarbamate must have no contact with the skin, only the nail. And per the SCCS report, it poses a risk of sensitization if it gets on the skin.
Plasticizers
As already mentioned, plasticizers are nail polish ingredients that prevent chips and cracks in the product. The plasticizer in the OPI nail polish and base coat used instead of dibutyl phthalate is trimethylpentanediyl dibenzoate.
The bad news is that the CIR Expert Panel has not assessed trimethylpentanediyl dibenzoate for safety; the good news is that the ECHA does not list any hazards.
UV Absorbers/Stabilizers
The UV absorber in the Infinite Shine OPI nail polish is benzophenone-1, and it blocks color fading.
For your information, benzophenones range from benzophenone-1 to benzophenone-12. For example, benzophenone-3 is also known as oxybenzone which is commonly used in sunscreens. (Find a sunscreen without this ingredient in the best non-toxic face sunscreen guide.)
I consider benzophenone-1 one of the most concerning nail polish ingredients for the following reasons.
First, benzophenone-1 is linked to endocrine disruption. The Endocrine Disruption Exchange Database provides a list of in vitro medical studies so we can read up on the subject matter.
Further, the 2020 CIR report mentions the studies on the effects of benzophenone-1 on the proliferation and metastasis of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells expressing estrogen receptors. The scientists concluded that benzophenone-1 may accelerate the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. In another in vitro study, mentioned in the CIR report, benzophenone-1 statistically significantly increased BG-1 ovarian cancer cell growth.
To be fair, there are no animal, clinical or epidemiological studies. In other words, we do not know whether the usage of a nail polish may harm the human hormonal system. However, the presence of benzophenones, including benzophenone-1, in human urine means that general human exposure to these chemicals is meaningful.
Thus, because of the endocrine disruption and cancer concerns, benzophenone-1 is, in my opinion, one of the most concerning ingredients in the OPI nail polish.
Colorants
First of all, there are two types of colorants used as nail polish ingredients:
- organic pigments/dyes, derived from petrochemicals, and
- inorganic mineral pigments, such as iron oxides.
While both types may contain traces of heavy metals, as detailed in Federal regulations, organic pigments may also contain traces of contaminants specific to petroleum, such as carcinogenic and toxic to reproduction benzo[a]pyrene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Hence, mineral inorganic pigments are a better choice for nail polish ingredients, in my opinion.
The selected OPI nail products use both petroleum-based pigments (e.g., red 7, yellow 5, violet 2) and mineral pigments (e.g., titanium dioxide, iron oxides).
Note thatcolorants are also used in makeup. To avoid heavy metals in makeup and find truly safe makeup products, check out my Crunchi non-toxic makeup review.
Conclusion About OPI Nail Polish
Due To Certain Ingredients Of Concern, I Do Not Consider OPI Nail Polish Safe And Non-Toxic.
In sum, it is great that the list of OPI nail polish ingredients is “9-free,” meaning it doesn’t have the following chemicals:
- formaldehyde
- formaldehyde resin
- toluene
- xylene
- dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- camphor
- parabens
- ethyl tosylamide, and
- triphenyl phosphate.
However, this does not mean that OPI nail polish has no other ingredients of concern. Thus, in my opinion, benzophenone-1 and di-HEMA trimethylhexyl dicarbamate are rather concerning ingredients due to their potential negative effect on health. Therefore, when you apply a nail polish, do it in a ventilated area and do not paint over your skin.
Browse the I Read Labels For You blog for the information on the ingredients in other products, visit my shop to find non-toxic products for home and body care, and consider using one of my services if you need help with healthy living on a daily basis.
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Hi! I can’t believe I never saw your blog before – I drive myself CRAZY toggling back and forth between EWG, retailer sites, and reviews. Your work is so important!
Hi Elissa! Thank you for your kind feedback! We are happy to help!
I know this post is old but it’s new to me. so I’m reading the label on my o.p.i nail envy and it has formalhyde in it. I didn’t even think that was a thing anymore I mean it’s 2023 and to my knowledge this toxic stuff was removed. long story short o.p I still has formalhyde in their polish so obviously they lied. I can’t believe no one else has noticed.
Anna A
Hi Albrecht! Thank you for your comment! We appreciate you reading the ingredients and warning us! That’s why we always recommend reading the ingredient labels on products and contacting companies!
Have you checked the ingredients of OPI gel polish?
I do not think so. ~Irina
I just bought OPI from amazon and the ingredients list Formaldehyde. I got my money back.
Thank you for letting me know, Carol. I am in the process of checking and updating the ingredients. Companies often change their product formulations so it is good to double-check with them before making purchasing decisions. I am glad that you read the ingredients. ~Irina
I have been very allergic to formaldehyde since my teens, especially in nail polish. I can wear Dior, Chanel and Estée Lauder with no problems.
i have kidney disease and i was wondering where i can find a list of safe nail polish i can use ty karie
Hi, Karie: I have done an extensive research into nail polishes to help you make informed decisions with ease and you can find it here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/nail-polish-rating-list/ ~Irina
Has there been a write up ( review) on OPI gel polish? I can’t find out what is in it! I have contact dermatitis and wondered if this is the culprit. I’ve had a patch test but would like to com pair the ingredients of gel polish to my test results!!
Hi, Jennie: I reviewed only OPI Nail Polish, not gel. I am so sorry to hear about your issue. Let me know if you need any help. ~Irina
Thank you so much for this information. I was wondering how Acquarella’s nail polish fared since they are supposed to be non-toxic.
Hi Simone: Yes, Acquarella fared much better. For the details and how these two compare with 26 other nail polishes, please refer to my Nail Polish Rating List: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/nail-polish-rating-list/ Thanks. 🙂 ~Irina
Scotch Natural would be an interesting one to look into, but it seems they either changed their name or went out of business? They are water based. I live in Seattle and there is a local organic nail salon called Julep that is 5-free.
I would be interested to know how Essie and Zoya nail polishes rate 🙂
Hi Irina,
I’d like for you to review Cote and Piggy Paints.
Thanks!
I’d love for you to review mineral fusion
I would like for N Missy nailpolish be included in your research.
This brand is sold in health food stores but what does that mean.
Thanks so much for all you do to keep us informed, Irina. I am now using so many of the products you have investigated.
I would like you to look into the nail polish line called “Dazzle Dry”.
Thank you Irina … my daugther use nail polish and I found for her this one:
ADESSE NEW YORK ORGANIC INFUSED GEL EFFECT NAIL POLISH.
Ingredients
GEL EFFECT INGREDIENTS: BUTYL ACETATE (1), ETHYL ACETATE(1), NITROCELLULOSE(1), ACETYL TRIBUTYL CITRATE(1), ADIPIC ACID/NEOPENTYL GLYCOL/TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMER(1), ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL(2), STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER(2), STEARALKONIUM BENTONITE(1), SILICA(1), N-BUTYL ALCOHOL(3/4), BENZOPHENONE-1(4), DIACETONE ALCOHOL(1), TRIMETHYLPENTANEDIYL DIBENZOATE(1), POLYETHYLENE(1), PHOSPHORIC ACID(1), SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL(1), ARGANIA SPINOSA KERNEL OIL(1), ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE) LEAF JUICE(1). MAY CONTAIN (+/-): YELLOW 5 (CI 19140)(3), RED 7 (CI 15850)(1/3), BLUE 1 (CI 42090)(1), VIOLET 2 (CI 60725)(2/5 cancer), FERRIC AMMONIUM FERROCYANIDE (CI 77510)(1/4), TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891)(1/3 cancer), ORANGE 5 (CI 45370)(4), BLACK 2 (CI 77266)(6 cancer), YELLOW 11
(CI 47000)(3), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491)91/2), RED 28 (CI 45410)(1), RED 22 (CI 45380)(1), ULTRAMARINES (CI 77007)(1/4), Red 30 (CI 73360)(5).ONLY RED, BROWN, BLUE, PURPLE, NO BLACK OR WHITE
(1) is the ewg’s data base numbers.
I saw one of the 3 concerns : Benzophenone, but the ones that are really safe she doesn’t like it because is gone fast!…
I will love to know what do you think about this one 🙂
Wow! Thanks so much for this article. I’m often shocked by how many women eat healthy food, take care of their bodies, and then get their nails done weekly and inhale toxic fumes and wear toxic chemicals on their nails. I bought a “natural” nail polish recently and it’s made by a company called SOPHi by Piggy Paint. I’ve only used it once, but it was durable and the color (POP-arazzi) is vibrant. Ingredients listed are: aqua, acrylates copolymers, neem oil, and May Contain titanium dioxide, ultramarines, red 7, iron oxide.
Hi Irina,
I would appreciate if you looked at “No Miss” and “Mineral Fusion” nail polishes.
Thank you.
Hello Irina!
You do a remarkable job and you are also beautiful! I need to try some of your skincare products you recommend. Nothing works for me as I try to look better, but keep aging rapidly!! My face is getting so wrinkled and turkey neck is starting!
I bought a blue polish from Whole Foods. Soon, I will not be shopping there at all since Amazon bought them out. Can you imagine the products that will be in that store from all over the world stating USDA Organic, but will be fake!?
Getting back to the polish, the brand is Pacifica. I hate that it has aluminum in it, but it did not have the strong smell and it is “7 free”. So true what one of your reader’s said that we do not have time to look up everything. I do not like 100% Pure. I see another reader mentioned that one. Such a horrible smell and the smell lasts. It also has aluminum. I do not believe there are any that are 100% truly safe. As women, we love our toe nails polished. Keep up the great work in helping us decide what to put in our bodies as well as non-toxic products to use. We clean with vinegar, purified water and essential oils. Our essential oils may not be 100% organic but we use them for cleaning everything. Vinegar and water for the floor. Tea tree and peppermint works well and many bugs and rodents do not like the smell.
Lately, we have been reading about many tumeric products that contain lead. Yes, even organic tumeric! That is a HUGE concern to us. We take it everyday in water with a dash of black pepper (helps it absorb in the body), and we give it to our dog twice a day in her food. She loves it! We do not love the taste but love the anti-inflammatory properties and many other positive wonders that this spice provides. But, we do not want LEAD! How do we find it in bulk without lead? Would need a scientist with a lab for that! Mike Adams from Health Ranger is a great guy and a whistle blower. He is the one who tested a few brands. He has his liquid brand that we have tried, but it is too sweet for us. Can you help us on that one my friend? Thank you again for everything you do. Amazing!!
Hello, Joanna! Lead is not added to turmeric but would be found in it if turmeric is grown in the polluted environment. Since it is a concentrated product, “naturally occurring” lead would be concentrated, too. You are right, the only way to know is a particular brand of turmeric contains lead would be to test it. I think the easiest work around it is for you to take a blood test, which will show your ongoing exposure to lead. If you find elevated levels of lead, discontinue taking turmeric and then re-test. Let me know if you’d like to schedule a consultation and we can talk about this more. ~Irina
Hi Irina, can you add to review Mineral Fusion and Pacifica, as they claim to be 7 free..Thanks, Mina
What do you think about SpaRitual? Thanks!
Hi Irina!
I’ve been trying to limit my use of nail polishes, but with that said I’d love for you to look into some of these:
-Butter London
-RMS Beauty
-RGB
-Priti NYC
-Deborah Lippman
-100% Pure
I would love for you to review Karma Organic Spa nail polish!
Hi Irina, thanks for such a detailed break down!
I’ve been trying to avoid OPI and use Essie instead. Some of Essie’s color choices are rated 5 on Think Dirty app (‘don’t sweater it’, ‘spin the bottle’, ‘bangle jungle’). I couldn’t find any OPI colors that are anything less than 9.
Since there’s so much variance within one brand, where one essie color can be rated 5 and another one rated 9 … this makes it practically impossible to track … especially when you are at the salon, trying to pick a fun color!
I’ve also bought Pacifica and Zoya nail polishes. Don’t really like Pacifica (their base/top coat is awful), but I like Zoya .. and as far as I know, it’s on the safe side.
What I’ve been wondering is that – does the nail polish you use really matter if there’s a base coat? I understand some of the nail polish can leach through the base coat, but generally, shouldn’t we be more concerned with the base coat?
On your rating list, I’d love to see OPI, Essie and Zoya polishes.
Hi, Natalia: It matters because the routes of exposure are not dermal but also inhalation. Thanks. ~Irina
I’d also add Benecos nail polish to the list!
I would love to know if Priti NYC is as safe as it claims to be.
How about nail polishes from 100% Pure?
Wet n wild, Revlon, Sally Hansen
Great article – thank you for sharing your research. I sometimes go to nail salons and usually bring my own polish, but have in the past used their “five free” or “three free” polishes. The last salon used Zoya polish. I personally use Butter London polish. Would be interested to know your opinion on those polishes.
Im going to try Ella & mila. They claim to be 7 free. I’d be very interested in your report. There are also polishes that claim to be 9 free.
I would love a review of this line of nail polish. It’s a local (to me) company.
http://www.karmaorganicspa.com
I would love for you to review Poofy Organics nail polish.
Such an informative read…Just goes to show that with clever marketing we as the consumer are fooled easily if one does not dissect every ingredient, and who has time for that? Thank you Irina for all you do for us😊 You are a real sanity saver! Plesse could you add the Essence Nail Polish, especially their The Gel range, Essie, & Morgan Taylor? Looking forward to find out if there sre ANY safe brands at all?!🤔
I recently purchased Suncoat Girl peelable kids nail polish based on the good rating on EWG’s skin deep database. It has no smell, claims to be nontoxic and does not require nail polish remover. After foregoing the use of polish for years I think this is a pretty safe option. They also have more adult peelable colors. It does peel off of fingers pretty easily, so it doesn’t stay neat looking very long; but toes that get less friction stay painted and cute! Ingredients listed are: Water, Acrylic Copolymers, Mica, Iron Oxides,
Titanium Dioxide, Carmine, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Chromium Oxide Green, Ultramarine Blue, Polyethylene Terephthalate (glitters). In writing out these ingredients, I am realizing there probably isn’t a truly nontoxic nail polish (ferroCYANIDE??). Perhaps Suncoat peelable is a less toxic choice. Thanks for your smart, well researched blog!