Is it safe for kids to wear fingernail polish on a regular basis?

What to know

Fingernail polish is not a kids craft paint. It is a cosmetic made to stick to nails. Common nail products can use solvents, resins, colorants, formaldehyde-related resins, methacrylates, toluene, and phthalates.

The dose from 1 small manicure is low. The habit matters more. Kids put fingers in mouths, pick polish off, rub eyes, and breathe remover fumes. Toddlers should skip polish because mouthing is still common.

What the research says

FDA nail guidance says nail products must be used with label directions, good ventilation, and care because some ingredients can irritate skin, eyes, or airways. FDA phthalate guidance says cosmetics that may contain phthalates include nail polish and hair spray, and that fragrance ingredients can hide specific phthalates from the label.

A 2023 study in Int J Environ Res Public Health found that 70% of surveyed U.S. children had used children's makeup and body products. Nail products were part of that category, and the study noted hand-to-mouth behavior as a way kids can get more exposure.

For dress-up, choose water-based peel-off polish, use it outside or near an open window, keep it off cuticles, and remove it before bedtime. For younger kids, simple wooden toys are a better daily play choice than regular cosmetic play.