Dirty Little Secret Nail Polish vs Nail Polish: which is safer?

Julep Nail Polish is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Deborah Lippmann

Dirty Little Secret Nail Polish

PFAS grade

C 75/100

Overall grade

F 63/100

Verdict

Buy with care

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Nitrocellulose, resins, solvents (standard nail polish)

Confidence

72%

PossibleVolatile organic solvent exposure (toluene, xylene)

PossiblePhthalate plasticizers (dibutyl phthalate or DHP)

PossibleNail and cuticle damage from prolonged wear or solvent-heavy formulation

Why this gradeBuy

Our pick

Julep

Nail Polish

PFAS grade

A 100/100

Overall grade

A 96/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 1

Material

nitrocellulose, resins, pigments

Confidence

78%

PossiblePhthalate plasticizers (skin absorption during wear)

Why this gradeBuy

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More cosmetic color products: see the full ranking