Butter London · Nail Polish & Top Coat
Butter London Cakes & Cuppas 6-Piece Nail Lacquer Set
Lower PFAS concern; typical nail lacquer formulation unlikely to contain PFAS, but brand provides no transparency.
Butter London's nail lacquers are standard cosmetic products without known PFAS-prone ingredients like water-repellent coatings or Teflon-type coating. The brand doesn't disclose PFAS-related information, and no public lab testing or third-party verification exists.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Nail lacquer (solvent-based or water-based polish)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Is Butter London Cakes & Cuppas 6-Piece Nail non-toxic? What it is made of
Butter London nail lacquers are solvent-based formulations typical of conventional nail polish, containing resins, plasticizers, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate during drying. The 'Cakes & Cuppas' set is a cosmetic colorant product with no heating, food contact, or prolonged skin contact risk. Nail polish safety relies primarily on inhalation exposure during application and volatile compound profiles, not leaching or coating degradation like cookware.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and inhalation exposure
Solvent-based nail lacquers release toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and xylene during application and drying. Butter London provides no solvent specification; typical exposure during single application is brief but cumulative risk exists with frequent use. Ventilation and duration of exposure are the primary modifiers.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some nail lacquers contain formaldehyde as a hardening agent or formaldehyde-releasing compounds as preservatives. Butter London does not publicly disclose preservative systems. Exposure is primarily inhalation during application; dermal contact risk is minimal.
Source, ATSDR ↗Allergic contact dermatitis from fragrances or resins
Nail lacquers may contain fragrance compounds or rosin-based resins that trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Butter London does not disclose fragrance allergens by INCI name. Risk is individual and typically mild, manifesting as redness around the nail bed.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as plasticizer
DBP is a common plasticizer in conventional nail lacquers that imparts flexibility to the dried film. Butter London does not disclose DBP presence or absence. Inhalation during application is the primary exposure route; dermal absorption through intact skin is negligible. Many mainstream brands still use DBP despite availability of alternatives.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or public testing data document lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Butter London products. Color cosmetics are regulated for lead limits in the US, but nail polish is not subject to the same stringent limits as lip products. Risk is considered low for this brand and category.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Butter London does not publicly disclose full ingredient lists or toxicology data beyond basic regulatory compliance (no independent testing records found). The brand has no documented safety certifications (e.g., no Green Circle certification or third-party testing claims). No recalls or safety controversies related to Butter London nail lacquers are on public record. The brand's silence on PFAS and broader formulation transparency is typical of mainstream nail polish manufacturers but represents a disclosure gap rather than a known hazard.
How it compares in its category
Butter London occupies the mainstream mid-market nail polish segment. It lacks the transparency certifications of brands like Ella+Mila (vegan, non-toxic focused) or Zoya (published safety standards), but also does not carry the cost premium those brands command. Safety profiles are broadly similar across conventional lacquers in this price tier, with variation driven by specific solvent blends rather than brand reputation.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated space (window open, fan running) to minimize inhalation of VOCs, especially if pregnant or applying frequently. Use the product as directed and avoid ingestion or prolonged contact with skin around nails. Do not heat the bottle or expose to direct sunlight for extended periods. Replace once the polish becomes thick or separates, typically within 2-3 years of opening if capped properly.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Butter London has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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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.