OPI Review, Is OPI Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 3 graded products, OPI averages Good (68/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 1 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from OPI Good or better, safest first
OPI
GELement
gel polish (acrylates, oligomers, resins)
UV/LED light exposure (cumulative)
Gel polish requires UV-A or LED curing; regular salon visits (fortnightly) deliver…
Unreacted acrylate monomers (contact sensitization)
Gel polishes contain acrylate oligomers and monomers that may cause allergic contact…
Respiratory irritation from uncured vapors during application
Gel polish application in poorly ventilated spaces may cause mild irritation from…
Nail plate thinning and brittleness (physical damage from removal)
Improper gel removal (picking, peeling) rather than acetone soaking causes measurable…
Lower concern for PFAS; no brand transparency on formula.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
OPI
GELements Pompeii Me in Nails Gel Nail Polish
gel nail polish (acrylate-based resin system)
Uncrosslinked acrylate monomers (if undercured)
Incomplete UV curing can leave liquid acrylate oligomers on the nail surface. These may…
Nail plate damage and brittleness from prolonged wear
Extended gel wear (>3-4 weeks) or frequent application cycles without breaks can thin and…
Acetone exposure during removal
Acetone-based removers used to dissolve gel polish carry CNS and respiratory irritation…
UV lamp safety (skin exposure cumulative risk)
Repeated UV exposure from curing lamps carries a minor cumulative skin cancer and…
Insufficient PFAS transparency; typical gel polish lacks known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
OPI
GELements Gel Polish Como Se Dice Gel-ous?
gel polish (oligomers, resins, solvents, pigments)
Photoinitiator and uncured monomer exposure
UV-cured gel polishes contain photoinitiators (benzophenone derivatives or other ketones)…
Solvent inhalation (glycol ethers, esters)
Gel polish solvents enable pigment suspension and workability before curing. Some glycol…
Lead
Colored gel polishes may contain inorganic pigments (cadmium reds, lead chromates, or…
Skin sensitization from fragrance or additives
Gel polishes often contain fragrances and preservatives to mask chemical odor and extend…
Skip until OPI discloses PFAS data; gel polish formulations remain opaque.
⚠Risky category by default
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →