China Glaze · Nail Polish
China Glaze Ice
Lower concern; standard nail polish formulation unlikely to require PFAS, but brand provides no transparency.
China Glaze Ice is a traditional nail lacquer with no known PFAS-dependent function (it doesn't require water resistance, nonstick, or stain-proofing coatings). The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.
Shop China Glaze on Amazon →Material
nail lacquer (organic polymer film-formers, resins, solvents)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
China Glaze Ice is a conventional nail lacquer, a film-forming suspension of organic resins (typically tosylamide-formaldehyde resin or similar), plasticizers, and volatile organic solvents (toluene, xylene, dibutyl phthalate or alternatives). Upon application, solvents evaporate, leaving a hard polymer coating on the nail plate. The brief contact window (minutes of application, then fully cured film) limits dermal absorption compared to leave-on cosmetics.
The brand's record and disclosure
China Glaze does not publish detailed ingredient transparency reports or third-party certifications (e.g., 5-Free, 7-Free labeling). No publicly documented recalls or regulatory violations specific to this product exist. The brand's silent stance on PFAS and formaldehyde-resin use is standard for mainstream nail polish manufacturers, reflecting industry-wide lack of transparency rather than a company-specific red flag.
How it compares in its category
China Glaze Ice sits in the mid-market conventional lacquer segment. It lacks premium certifications (3-Free, 7-Free, or non-toxic claims) that some competitors advertise; however, the absence of such marketing does not indicate higher risk, only less transparency. Most drugstore and professional nail polishes operate under identical formulation assumptions and safety oversight.
If you buy it
Apply in well-ventilated spaces or outdoors to minimize solvent inhalation during the 2-3 minute application window. Avoid contact with skin and cuticles; the cured film on the nail plate poses minimal ongoing exposure. Replace when chipping or peeling accelerates (typically 2-3 weeks of wear). Do not ingest or apply to lips; keep away from eyes and young children.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) / solvent inhalation
Toluene, xylene, and other solvents are present in standard lacquer formulations and evaporate during application and drying. Inhalation risk is acute and localized to the application period; ventilation mitigates exposure significantly.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or similar plasticizers
DBP is commonly used in nail polish to prevent brittleness but is not listed on most nail polish labels due to cosmetic exemptions in some jurisdictions. No specific test result for China Glaze Ice is publicly available; assume presence under standard formulation practices.
Formaldehyde-releasing resins
Tosylamide-formaldehyde resin (a standard film-former in lacquers) can release trace formaldehyde during application and curing. The amount is typically below 0.2% by weight; dermal and respiratory exposure during application is the primary route.
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, arsenic)
No recalls or test results documenting heavy metal contamination in China Glaze products are on public record. The risk is lower than in ceramics or glazed cookware due to the absence of high-temperature synthesis and the regulated pigment supply chain for cosmetics in most markets.
Allergic contact dermatitis from resins or fragrance
Tosylamide-formaldehyde resin and fragrance components (if present) are known sensitizers in occupational and consumer use. Risk is low for typical brief exposure but higher for professional nail technicians with cumulative, repeated contact.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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More nail polish grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.