Butter London · Nail Polish & Top Coat
butter LONDON Pure Color 21X Nail Lacquer, Is It Non-Toxic?
No public PFAS risk data; nail lacquers rarely contain PFAS, but Butter London makes no disclosure, skip only if PFAS-free verification matters to you.
Butter London doesn't publicly disclose PFAS status for this nail lacquer. Nail polish formulations typically don't require PFAS for function, but the brand's silence means no third-party assurance.
The better-graded swap
Piggy Paint
Piggy Paint Basecoat & Sealer Nail Polish
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Organic solvent-based nail lacquer (typical formulation)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is butter LONDON Pure Color 21X Nail Lacquer non-toxic? What it is made of
Butter London Pure Color 21X is a traditional organic solvent-based nail lacquer, meaning it contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like toluene, xylene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) as standard ingredients in this product class. The "21X" designation refers to extended wear (chip resistance and gloss duration), which typically requires higher resin and plasticizer concentrations. These solvents evaporate during and after application, which is why ventilation matters; the resins and pigments bond to the nail plate as they cure.
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 respiratory irritation
Toluene and xylene are standard in conventional nail lacquers including this product; inhalation during application in poorly ventilated spaces can cause headache, dizziness, and throat irritation. Risk is temporary and mitigated by ventilation.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) exposure
DBP is a common plasticizer in nail lacquer to improve flexibility and chip resistance. Butter London does not disclose phthalate content or removal; dermal and inhalation exposure during application is minimal but present. No acute toxicity expected at typical use levels.
Skin sensitization from fragrance and resins
Nail lacquers contain fragrance compounds and hardening resins that can cause allergic contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; Butter London does not provide allergen disclosure. Risk applies primarily to cuticle and nail fold contact during application.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public disclosure from Butter London indicates presence or absence of formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing resins. This is not uncommon in mainstream nail lacquers, but no recalls or safety alerts specific to this product exist.
Source, ATSDR ↗Lead
Butter London does not publish pigment sourcing or heavy metal testing data. Cadmium and lead are occasionally detected in pigmented cosmetics, but no regulatory action or reports specific to Butter London nail lacquers have been documented.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Butter London does not publish ingredient transparency reports or toxicological certifications. The brand does not market itself as phthalate-free, formaldehyde-free, or solvent-free, and makes no public stance on harmful chemical reduction. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions against Butter London nail products are on record. The brand is owned by Ripley's Believe It or Not and has maintained a mainstream retail presence without documented safety controversies.
How it compares in its category
Butter London Pure Color sits in the mainstream conventional nail lacquer segment. It is not marketed as a "clean" or reduced-chemical option like some premium brands (e.g., Ella+Mila, Zoya, Piggy Paint). It offers durability comparable to OPI and Sally Hansen, which also use traditional solvent formulas without special certification. Consumers seeking verified phthalate-free or non-toxic options would find more explicit labeling from competing brands.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated space or near an open window to minimize inhalation of VOC fumes during and immediately after application (fumes are strongest in the first 5-10 minutes). Allow full cure time (typically 2-3 hours for hardness, though surface may feel set sooner). Remove with acetone or acetone-based remover; wash hands thoroughly after removal to prevent residue absorption through skin. Replace if you notice separation, thickening, or color change, as degraded formula may contain higher concentrations of evaporated solvents.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% 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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to butter LONDON Pure Color 21X Nail Lacquer?
- Water-based organic pigments and plant-derived resins
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- water-based pigmented lacquer
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from resins and solvents
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Piggy Paint
Showstopper Nail Polish Set
- organic pigments, plant-based resins, water-based lacquer
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More nail polish & top coat 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.