Among the numerous nail polish options available in the market, ella+mila has some of the products considered most safe for pregnant women. The brand’s 17-free formula marks it different from the toxic traditional nail polishes. However, ella+mila products are not entirely organic and contain various chemicals that, on overexposure, may still pose threats to the mother and the baby.
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ella+mila Nail Polish Ingredients
The following are the basic ingredients of ella+mila nail polish products:
- Butyl Acetate
- Nitrocellulose
- Acetyl Tributyl Citrate
- Ethyl Acetate
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Stearalkonium Hectorite
- Phthalic Anhydride/Trimellitic Anhydride/Glycols Copolymer
- Adipic Acid/Fumaric Acid/Phthalic Acid/Tricyclodecane Dimethanol Copolymer
- Citric Acid
- Bisglycidoxyphenyl propane/Bisamino methylnorbornane Copolymer
- Aluminum Hydroxide
- Polybutylene Terephthalate
- Polyethylene Terephthalate
- Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Depending on the product, ella+mila may also contain aluminum powder, ferric ammonium ferrocyanide, titanium dioxide, mica, etc. that provides the item with color and helps in the even distribution on the nail.
ella+mila is a hypoallergenic nail polish brand, meaning its products have low chances of causing an allergic reaction such as contact dermatitis in the users.
Even if you do not consider yourself an allergic individual sensitive to several substances, when you are around a pregnant woman or are one, definite care becomes necessary to not expose the fetus to toxic chemicals present in traditional nail polishes.
ella+mila products have ingredients relatively less harmful for the mother and the baby.
Does ella+mila Contain Benzene?
ella+mila does not contain benzene in any of its nail polish products.
When it comes to listing the ingredients of nail polishes across brands, toluene (or toluol) is a toxic chemical that often gets listed as benzene, methylbenzene, and phenylbenzene. It helps in the even suspension of color and smooth application of the product on nails.
Exposure to toluene can cause irritation to the nose and eyes, euphoria, dilated pupils, insomnia, liver damage, kidney damage, and many other health issues. Long-term exposure becomes very dangerous as toluene harms the body’s neurological system, destroying that layer of nerves called myelin.
If a pregnant woman were to subject herself to a high amount of toluene in her environment, it would severely affect the baby, resulting in retarded growth, congenital malformations, and premature delivery.
Does ella+mila Contain Formaldehyde?
No, ella+mila nail polishes do not contain formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde typically gets added in most nail polish products due to two reasons:
- Its ability to harden strengthen the product
- Its role as a preservative, to act against bacterial outgrowth.
Formaldehyde becomes hazardous to you if it is present in large amounts, causing the cancer of blood, throat, and nose.
Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde, say in the case of nail salon workers and their families, the risk of associated asthma, nausea, and convulsions remains very high.
In pregnant women, the chemical increases the chances of miscarriage, while also posing the threat of fluid build-up in the mother’s lungs that may severely impact fetal development.
Nail polishes that have formaldehyde may also contain one of its by-products called formaldehyde resin. The number of research conducted on the effect of the latter chemical on humans is comparatively low.
Yet, preliminary studies have linked formaldehyde resin with allergic reactions, skin irritations, skin depigmentation, and sensory problems of nerves.
ella+mila nail polish products are entirely free of formaldehyde resin as well.
Does ella+mila Contain Alcohol?
Yes, ella+mila nail polishes utilize isopropyl alcohol as one of the ingredients that help in thinning the product. They are also helpful in stretching out the amount of content you can get from the bottle.
Most nail polish removers contain isopropyl alcohol or acetone in high amounts. They have not shown links to causing problems in pregnancy, but to be on the safer side, look for ‘Soy Nail polish Remover’ from ella+mila that is free of both acetone and alcohol.
Does ella+mila Contain Chemicals?
Yes, ella+mila products are not entirely organic and contain a lot of chemicals. But it ranks among the safest nail polish options available in the market. The company has nail polish products marketed as ’17-free’, indicating a lack of toxic chemicals such as:
- Acetone
- Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Camphor
- Formaldehyde
- Formaldehyde Resin
- Ethyl Tosylamide
- Gluten
- Toluene
- Glycol Ether of Series E
- Nonylphenol Ethoxylate
- Parabens
- Styrene
- Sulfate
- Triphenyl Phosphate
- Phthalates
- Xylene
The chemicals commonly found in nail polishes deemed harmful for pregnancy are toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, camphor, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
DBP is notorious for affecting the fetus with hormone-production issues, while the influence of camphor on skin and breastfeeding remains the topic of interest in various researches.
ella+mila products lack all five in its products. Their nail polishes are also a hundred percent vegan and not tested on animals.
Does ella+mila Nail Polish Contain PFAs?
Among the major Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) found across industrial products, the most widely used in nail polishes is DBP. It helps minimize the chipping of the nail polish.
Phthalates mimic the hormone estrogen and act as endocrine disruptors in your body. On prolonged exposure of pregnant women to the chemical, male fetuses are at increased threat of developing hormonal problems. They also instigate early menopause in women and cause organ damage to the babies.
Though ella+mila lacks DBP, it contains polybutylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate.
Studies have found that exposure to phthalates during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth. Therefore while using nail polishes, even if a considerably safer one such as ella+mila’s, the recommendation is to do so in open spaces or rooms with the windows open so as to not directly intake the fumes from the product.
Does ella+mila Nail Polish Contain Metal?
Depending on the product, ella+mila nail polishes may show metal content at recommended levels. But their ingredients list suggests that no toxic metals such as lead or cadmium are present in them.
Is ella+mila Nail Polish Breathable?
No, breathing in the fumes of your nail polish as you apply them is not such a great idea. ella+mila nail polishes are no different. Despite the company’s products lacking many toxic chemicals otherwise present in most popular nail polishes in the market, direct inhalation may severely affect your health.
For pregnant women, inhalation of chemicals can have negative impacts on the fetus.
On a different note, ‘breathable nail polish’ also refers to those polishes that are permeable and allow the passage of air and water molecules. The feature is supposedly healthier for your nails. ella+mila currently has not marketed any of its nail polish products as ‘breathable.’
Is ella+mila Non Toxic?
ella+mila nail polishes are much less toxic than the others in the market. Relatively speaking, of course. They are ’17-free’, meaning they lack 17 toxic chemicals that are the primary ingredients of traditional nail polishes. If a pregnant woman wishes to get a manicure or pedicure, ella+mila is among the safest options available.
Is ella+mila Vegan?
Yes, ella+mila nail polishes are entirely vegan. Their products do not harm the animals and are certified by organizations such as PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Is ella+mila Nail Polish Safe for Babies and Toddlers?
Yes, ella+mila nail polishes are, for the most part, safe around babies and toddlers. The main reason is that they lack toxic chemicals such as DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, among many others. All of its nail polishes are 17-free.
Is ella+mila Nail Polish Safe During Pregnancy?
Taking a little extra care of the mother’s and baby’s health during pregnancy is a necessity. While traditional nail polishes come with chemicals that pose a significant threat to the users on immediate inhalation or prolonged exposure, ella+mila products remain a relatively safer option.
References:
- Does Glossier Skincare Have Fragrance? - October 21, 2022
- Is Aveeno Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
- Is Acure Color-Safe? - October 20, 2022
