5 HEMA Free Gel Nail Polish Brands
Photo of nail swatch sticks by RDNE Stock project on Pexels with text overlay 5 HEMA Free Gel Nail Polish Brands
Updated 2024.09.05. This post contains affiliate links and Lots of Lacquer will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on these links.
HEMA, short for 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate, is a chemical monomer commonly used in coatings and resins, including in some gel nail polishes.
In 2018, the British Association of Dermatologists published a paper citing HEMA as the main cause of a new allergy epidemic. It has been identified in the nail community as a potential skin allergen.
When gel nail polish is applied, the formula can accidentally get on the skin, and this is when the skin sensitivity potential initiates. The more often HEMA touches your skin, the more likely it is you may develop a sensitivity.
If you want to see some examples of the HEMA allergy at play, type “HEMA allergic reaction” into your search bar and see what comes up in the images section. Disclaimer: some of the images are upsetting.
Due to the potential for allergic reaction, and the actual allergic reactions those in the nail community have faced, some nail enthusiasts want to understandably avoid HEMA in their gel nail products.
However, gel nail polish is still pretty alluring as it is long-lasting and you can find formulas with more skin safe ingredients.
Below are 5 HEMA free gel nail polish brands:
Photo of person’s manicured hand on minimalist floral background by cottonbro studio on Pexels
1 - Manucurist
2 - Aimeili
3 - Madam Glam
Starting back in 2019, Madam Glam began converting all of their formulas to be HEMA free, and by 2023 they have reached that goal. They are now a 100% HEMA free company.
Their goal is to deliver both beauty and peace of mind, and ensure a safe, glamorous experience for all. They are also 21 free, cruelty free, gluten free, palm oil free and certified by Vegan.org. Can you believe gels could be so earth friendly?
4 - Light Elegance
Light Elegance offers vegan, gluten free, cruelty free, 9 free and HEMA free gel polishes made in their Oregon based facility.
Get Light Elegance’s collection at their website
5 - Pink Gellac
Pink Gellac hails from the Netherlands and as a result, complies with the strict European cosmetic standards I wish we had in America. They offer a vegan, and HEMA free experience.
Photo of nail swatch sticks by RDNE Stock project on Pexels with text overlay 5 HEMA Free Gel Nail Polish Brands
All in all, did you know there were gel nail polish brands committed to such ethical cosmetic and environmental safety?
They exist and each of the brands in the above list demonstrate a commitment to safer beauty. Turns out, you can have long-lasting gel manicures with ingredients that don’t compromise your values.
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