Since its launch in 2019, Green Flash™ LED nail polish has revolutionized the gel polish market. But how does it differ from traditional gel polishes? What does it have more of—or rather, what does it leave out? A closer look at an innovative polish formula that eliminated TPO, HEMA and other high-risk substances long before it was required.
What is traditional gel polish?
A polish that had it all going for it
This type of polish emerged around 2011 as an alternative to colored gels and false nails. Formulated by combining acrylic gel and nail polish, it cures under a UV or LED lamp to quickly create an adherent, resistant layer. Thanks to this curing process, gel polish delivers superior wear time and shine compared to classic polish. The perfect match for busy beauty lovers who don't want to redo their nails every two days!
However, over the last few years, gel polish has developed a growing bad reputation. The culprits: harsh removal methods like nail drills or pure acetone that can cause long-term damage to nails. But also (and above all) chemical ingredients classified as risky, which have gradually been banned by European authorities.
Substances banned in Europe
Among these ingredients banned from gel polish formulas are:
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CMR substances (Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or Reprotoxic): toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate), formaldehyde, and hydroquinone have long been used in cosmetic formulas for their plasticizing, hardening, or preserving properties. In response to health risks, the EU has introduced increasingly strict regulations on their use, and even banned products containing them. The latest example: starting September 1, 2025, TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) is definitively banned in European cosmetics.
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HEMA and DI-HEMA-TMHDC: small molecules belonging to the acrylate or methacrylate chemical family, responsible for polish adhesion to the nail, but also highly reactive, sensitizing, and volatile. Since September 2021, the sale of gel polishes containing these two molecules to consumers has been banned across the European Union. Only professional nail technicians are permitted to use them in salons under specific conditions.
Why is Green Flash™ different?
You might already know Green Flash™ LED nail polish since its 2019 launch, but the journey started much earlier. Right from the formulation stage, we chose to exclude all controversial molecules and replace synthetic petrochemical ingredients with plant-based ingredients wherever possible.
Non-sensitizing copolymers
Say goodbye to HEMA and DI-HEMA-TMHDC monomers—you won't find any in Green Flash™ LED polishes. In their place, our formula contains non-sensitizing copolymers. They work just the same: under UV light, they bond together to form a network, and just like that, your polish is dry!
Larger than HEMA and DI-HEMA-TMHDC molecules, our copolymers are non-sensitizing, non-volatile, do not penetrate the skin barrier, and therefore do not trigger allergies. Best of all, our copolymers come off just like regular nail polish using a gentle, acetone-free remover that doesn't dry out nails. And that is a real revolution!
A bio-sourced nail polish
Another radical choice in the design of Green Flash™ polish: replacing petroleum-based solvents and plasticizers with plant-based alternatives as much as possible. That's how we achieved a formula that is up to 84% bio-sourced. Here are a few examples of how we use biomass-derived ingredients:
- Corn provides acetyl tributyl citrate, which allows the polish to form a smooth, shiny coat.
- Sugar cane provides ethyl acetate, ensuring smooth fluidity and easy polish application.
- Cassava produces butyl acetate, which also thins the texture and makes application effortless.
- Cotton provides nitrocellulose, ensuring the polish's long-lasting durability.
These ingredients are not necessarily from organic farming, but they help reduce the product's carbon footprint, use renewable resources, and offer a biodegradable product and gentler formulations for your nails.
For us, your well-being is a priority! Green Flash™ is the natural result of extensive development to replace high-risk molecules with safe alternatives for your nails. Creating a vegan, bio-sourced gel polish formula that applies and removes effortlessly—without compromising on shine or wear time—was a major challenge. Over the past 5 years, more than 600,000 of you across 30 countries have chosen Green Flash™: proof that the bet has truly paid off! To try this alternative at home, you can start with a Green Flash™ gel polish Starter Kit.
