Modern trends and the growing popularity of a healthy lifestyle encourage us to pay attention to the composition and manufacturer claims on the packaging of products we use.With this in mind, let’s clarify what labels such as 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, 12-free mean on gel polishes and builder gels.First of all, it should be noted that 3-free, 5-free, 7-free, 12-free labels are not regulated by any standards, Ukrainian legislation, or EU directives. Therefore, these labels hold value only from a marketing perspective and do not serve as proof of environmental friendliness, safety, or hypoallergenic properties of nail products.
What Do “Free” Labels Really Mean? Traditional nail polishes appeared first — the kind that dry in the air and do not require curing in a lamp. These products originally contained ingredients such as dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, and toluene. Due to the high toxicity of these components, their use in cosmetics was later banned by the EU. After that, nail polishes ...