Ella+Mila · Nail Polish & Top Coat
ella +mila Aperol Spritz Vegan Quick-Dry Nail Polish
Lower risk cosmetic with no known PFAS components, but no brand transparency.
Ella+Mila's vegan quick-dry formula contains no known PFAS drivers such as nonstick or water-repellent treatments. The brand does not publicly address ingredient sourcing or PFAS avoidance steps.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
organic pigments, resins, solvents in liquid lacquer suspension
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Is ella +mila Aperol Spritz Vegan Quick-Dry non-toxic? What it is made of
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 show lower concern 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.
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 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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
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.
Source, ATSDR ↗Skin sensitization from fragrance or uncertified colorants
The Aperol Spritz variant includes fragrance notes; while showing lower concern 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.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
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.
Source, ATSDR ↗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.
The full breakdown
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.
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
- Ella+Mila 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.