Ella+Mila · Nail Polish
ella +mila Aperol Spritz Vegan Quick-Dry Nail Polish
Lower-concern choice; nail polish is a brief-contact cosmetic with no known PFAS drivers, but brand transparency on ingredients is absent.
Ella+Mila's vegan quick-dry nail polish contains no documented PFAS-precursor ingredients (no Teflon-family coating, water-repellent coating coatings, or nonstick additives typical of PFAS products). However, the brand does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or PFAS avoidance commitments.
Shop Ella+Mila on Amazon →Material
organic pigments, resins, solvents in liquid lacquer suspension
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
Ella+Mila Aperol Spritz is a liquid lacquer suspension of organic pigments, film-forming resins (likely acrylics or nitrocellulose), and volatile organic solvents (typically acetone, ethyl acetate, or similar). The 'vegan' claim indicates no animal-derived resins or pigments, reducing certain heavy-metal risks tied to some traditional lake pigments. Organic pigments are generally safer than synthetic azo dyes or heavy-metal-bearing inorganic pigments, though solvent exposure during application is the primary acute concern rather than the dried film itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Ella+Mila maintains a marketing focus on vegan and clean-ingredient positioning but does not publicly disclose full ingredient lists, third-party testing results, or toxicology summaries on their website. The brand has no documented recalls, safety violations, or regulatory actions on record as of recent public data. Their silence on PFAS and heavy-metal testing is consistent with smaller indie beauty brands that do not pursue formal certifications (e.g., Clean Beauty Association, EWG verification) but also reflects absent transparency compared to larger competitors.
How it compares in its category
Ella+Mila occupies the mid-tier 'clean' nail polish segment alongside brands like Zoya and Ella+Mila's own positioning. Mass-market polishes (OPI, Essie) and budget brands carry higher documented risks of heavy metals and formaldehyde releasers, while certified clean brands (Nails Inc, Butter London) provide third-party testing transparency. Ella+Mila's organic pigment base is advantageous, but the lack of published safety data or certifications places it below verified clean alternatives and roughly equal to unvetted indie brands.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated space or with a fan running to minimize solvent inhalation, especially during the wet phase; nail polish itself poses minimal risk once dry and cured (typically 2-3 hours). Avoid contact with eyes, mouth, or broken skin; wash hands after application. Replace the bottle cap tightly after each use to prevent solvent evaporation and degradation. If you experience persistent irritation, rash, or respiratory symptoms, discontinue and switch to a brand with published safety certifications.
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 solvents (acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene)
Solvent exposure during application can cause respiratory irritation, headache, or dizziness in poorly ventilated spaces. Ella+Mila does not disclose solvent composition publicly, so specific formulation risk cannot be quantified; typical vegan polishes use lower toluene loads than older formulations, but inhalation precautions remain standard practice.
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, chromium)
Organic pigments in the dried film carry minimal bioavailability risk; however, Ella+Mila does not publish heavy-metal testing or spectroscopy data. No recalls or regulatory actions have been reported for this product, and the vegan claim suggests avoidance of historical heavy-metal sources in some traditional lakes, but absence of testing is not proof of safety.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Nail polish formulations may use formaldehyde as a cross-linking resin or formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin) as preservatives. Ella+Mila does not explicitly exclude these on marketing materials; exposure occurs primarily during application, not from the cured film.
Skin sensitization from fragrance or uncertified colorants
The Aperol Spritz variant includes fragrance notes; while generally safe for nail polish use (brief contact, low absorption), undisclosed fragrance allergens could trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. No published ingredient list prevents assessment of specific allergen load.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) plasticizer
DBP was a common nail polish ingredient linked to reproductive toxicity; many brands have phased it out. Ella+Mila markets as 'vegan' and 'clean' but does not explicitly confirm DBP exclusion. No recalls or testing results are public, making this hazard unconfirmed but not ruled out without further transparency.
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.
Safer alternatives in Nail Polish
Piggy Paint
4-Piece Nail Polish Set
Organic-based nail polish (water or non-toxic solvent system)
Lower concern; transparent brand with PFAS-free positioning, though third-party PFAS verification not independently confirmed.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Piggy Paint
Non-toxic Nail Polish Kit for Kids
water-based nail lacquer, non-toxic pigments
Lower concern, water-based formula with explicit PFAS-free claim and third-party Made Safe verification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Piggy Paint
Kids' Non-Toxic Nail Polish Basecoat Glitter Topcoat Set
organic pigments, plant-based resins, water-based polish
Lower-concern kids' nail polish with transparent PFAS-free positioning and third-party seal.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.