The scoop on "breathable" nail polish
Are your nails suffocating? These formulas allow air and moisture to pass through.
In terms for nail polish formulation evolution, the past several years have seen a move from “3-free” to “7-free” to “10-free” and now “21-free” (especially within the clean beauty space). I’m all for eliminating toxic ingredients, and the smell of nail polish alone should have been a warning sign for all of us since we started playing around with these products. But here we are now, and there’s a whole new manicure movement in the form of “breathable” nail polish.
As anyone who has tried gel, dip or even just regularly manicures knows, keeping our nails constantly covered in polish takes a toll. (Despite monthly pedicures, my toenails are horrific when you strip away the lacquer, to the point that I would never go au naturel within the confines of my own home—not even during Covid lockdown.) So when I caught wind of this burgeoning “breathable” nail polish trend, I decided to take a closer look.
Breathable nail polish allows air and moisture to reach your nails while maintaining a flawless finish. It all comes down to chemistry, as the molecular structure of these formulas allows microscopic water molecules and air to pass through, which is a good thing for nail health. Breathable polishes are generally non-toxic, and contain fewer harsh chemicals as compared with their traditional counterparts—even those that are 10-free.
These permeable, porous formulas also allow natural nail oils to exit. Why does this matter? Oil buildup beneath your polish is a main reason why your mani chips, so breathable formulas can have even more staying power.
Fun fact: Breathable nail polish is often referred to as “Halal polish.” Its porousness nature allows those of Islamic faith who wear nail polish to participate in Wudu, a pre-prayer cleansing ritual.
You can find one-step breathable polishes that include your base coat, color and top coat in one bottle, as well as individual breathable polishes for each manicure step. And the best part: Breathable polishes dry faster than their traditional counterparts. Here are a few to consider…
