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ICON DECODER

COMPANY RATINGS
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Note: Ratings are based on company record, including parent companies. They are not a comment on the product itself.
> more about ratings

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Issues

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Nail Care

The Guide > Personal Care > Beauty > Nail Care 

Chemicals in Cosmetics

In Australia, cosmetics must comply with safety standards, but there is no international consensus. Some chemicals banned in Europe and the US are still considered safe by Australian authorities. These include DBP in nail polish, BHA in lipsticks, lead acetate in hair colour, and coal tar in anti-dandruff shampoos.

Other chemicals, although safe in small amounts, do build up over time and this intensive long-term exposure does seem to present unnecessary health risks. These include mineral oil, DEA/TEA/MEA, D&C colours, aluminium, talc, and synthetic fragrances.
  • Avoid known toxins. Decode the chemical nasties with the Chemical Maze app and book.  [The Chemical Maze]
  • Check out the Skin Deep cosmetics database with over 88,000 different products and a safety assessment of ingredients (US).  [Skin Deep]

Alternatives beyond the mainstream

Julisa  [more info]
Features: Cruelty free, vegan, palm oil free, toxic free, Australian owned and made
Julisa vegan nail polish is made on the Gold Coast in Australia, accredited cruelty free by PETA and Choose Cruelty Free, Certified Toxic Free by Safe Cosmetics Australia and accredited palm oil free by The Orangutan Project. Available online and from selected stores.
Manufacturer: Julisa
Sienna Byron Bay  [more info]
Features: Cruelty free and vegan
Sienna makes its non-toxic, cruelty-free and vegan nail polish in Byron Bay, Australia.
Manufacturer: Sienna Byron Bay
About these listings
Find farmers' markets, food coops, farm gate products at Local Harvest
BRAND COMPANY OWNED RATING
Fabulous  Key Sun   Australian Owned  Some praise, no criticism2
Elegant Touch  PDC Brands  
Distributor: McPherson's  
USA  Some praise, no criticism2
Manicare  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Revitanail  McPherson's   Australian Owned  No rating3
Orly  Orly International   USA  No rating3
Fing'rs  Pacific World   USA  No rating3
Nailene  Pacific World  
Distributor: Creative Brands  
USA  No rating3
Sally Hansen  Coty Australia   (JAB) LUX  Criticisms6
Cutex  Cutex Brands   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
Essie  L'Oreal Australia   (L'Oreal) FRA  Criticisms6
SinfulColors  Revlon Australia   (MacAndrews & Forbes) USA  Criticisms6
OPI Nails  Wella   (KKR) USA  Criticisms6



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