What We Leave Out Matters: Our Clean Beauty Commitment

There’s a lot of noise in the beauty world about what makes a product “clean.” But at Côte Beauty, we believe clean beauty starts not with what we add, but what we leave out.

Our polish is formulated without 10 of the most harmful and commonly used toxins found in traditional nail care. Not because it’s trendy, but because it’s the bare minimum for any product meant to touch your body. We don’t believe in compromise when it comes to your health—or your manicure.

So what exactly do we leave out, and why does it matter? Let’s take a closer look.

The Toxic Truth About Traditional Nail Polish

In a now well-cited study published in Environment International (2016), researchers found that a single manicure using conventional polish caused a significant spike of TPHP (triphenyl phosphate) in participants’ bodies within hours. Read the study on PubMed. This chemical, widely used to improve polish flexibility, has been linked to hormone disruption and reproductive issues.

And TPHP is just one of many ingredients used in mainstream nail polish that raise serious health concerns.

Here’s what else might be lurking in that bottle:

• Formaldehyde (a known carcinogen)
• Toluene (linked to neurological damage and birth defects)
• Dibutyl phthalate (a reproductive toxin)
• Camphor (can cause dizziness, nausea, and even seizures)
• Formaldehyde resin (a common allergen)
• Ethyl tosylamide (banned in the EU)
• Xylene (a neurotoxic solvent)
• Parabens (hormone mimickers)
• TPHP (endocrine disruptor)
• Gluten (a concern for celiac and gluten-sensitive users)

All of these have been studied. All of them have red flags. And none of them belong in your beauty routine.

For Côte Beauty, this list of ten ingredients became the foundation of our clean standard—what many once referred to as "10-free." While the terminology has evolved, our commitment hasn’t. These ten toxins still serve as our non-negotiable do-not-use list, ensuring every polish we make meets the highest standard of safety and elegance.

Clean Commitment: No Confusion, Just Safer Standards

You may have heard terms like "3-free," "7-free," or even "10-free" used in the clean beauty space. While these terms can help guide better choices, we know they can also be a little confusing.

That’s why at Côte Beauty, we choose to focus on what really matters: a clear, transparent commitment to safer ingredients.

Our formulas are thoughtfully created without the most concerning toxins used in nail polish. Period. No jargon required.

Instead of buzzwords, we offer transparency.

We say no to harmful ingredients. And we say yes to...

• Safer self-care rituals
• Science-backed decisions
• Vegan, cruelty-free practices
• Salon-quality performance

Your nails deserve luxury without the liability.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

Your nails are porous. What goes on them, goes in you. And if you’re someone who paints your nails often—or lets your little one have fun with color—those choices add up.

The health effects of chemical exposure are cumulative. That’s why it’s especially important to be mindful about nail polish, a product so close to our skin, mouths, and food prep.

At Côte Beauty, we believe in beauty that never comes at the expense of your wellbeing. Clean isn’t a trend here. It’s our baseline.

Mendelsohn, E., Hagopian, A., Hoffman, K., Butt, C.M., Lorenzo, A., Congleton, J., Webster, T.F., & Stapleton, H.M. (2016). Nail polish as a source of exposure to triphenyl phosphate. Environment International, 86, 45–51. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26485058/

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