The world of manicure has radically evolved, shifting from a pursuit of perfection and mirror shine at all costs to a more eco-friendly and nail-respecting approach. Long criticized for its problematic ingredients and the risks it posed to nail health, traditional semi-permanent polish is now challenged by organic polish formulas. But what exactly do we mean by organic polish? What do these new generation polishes contain? And how can you recognize a good organic polish? We answer all your questions to help you find the best options for a durable and high-performance manicure.
What is an organic semi-permanent polish?
Definition
Let's clarify right away that the term organic polish does not mean the polish is 100% natural or that it contains natural ingredients from organic farming. Rather, “organic polish” is a contraction of biosourced polish. When we talk about organic semi-permanent polish, we mean a long-lasting polish in which the majority of ingredients come from plant biomass.
Unlike traditional semi-permanent polish manufacturers who source solvents, plasticizers, and other components from the petrochemical industry, organic polish brands strive to find plant-based alternatives. The goal is twofold:
👉 Use renewable resources and reduce the product's carbon footprint.
👉 Offer healthier and nail-friendly formulas without compromising the performance of the semi-permanent polish.
With natural semi-permanent polish, choose an eco-friendly and non-toxic polish formula.
What sets it apart from a traditional semi-permanent polish
As we just mentioned, the major difference lies in the chemical composition. While a traditional semi-permanent polish contains solvents, plasticizers, and synthetic resins that can pose risks of irritation or allergy upon contact with the skin, the biosourced gel polish favors plant-based alternatives that are safe for health.
Here are some examples of natural alternative ingredients and bio-sourced solvents that make up the formula of the Green Flash™ polish by Manucurist:
• Nitrocellulose, a key ingredient that guarantees durability and shine, comes from cotton.
• Ethyl acetate, a solvent that ensures smooth polish application, comes from sugarcane.
• Another solvent, butyl acetate, is extracted from cassava.
• Acetyl tributyl citrate, a plasticizing agent that ensures polish flexibility, comes from corn.
• Stearalkonium bentonite, which stabilizes the polish viscosity, comes from clay.
Sugarcane, cotton, corn… our plant-based alternatives to replace petroleum-derived solvents and plasticizers.
Another advantage that sets these natural polish formulas apart: their composition allows for an ultra-gentle and express removal! With a classic semi-permanent, removal is done by filing or applying acetone for 10 to 15 minutes, which can leave the nail in poor condition. With Green Flash™, the polish removes with a gentle remover, peeling off in 1 to 2 minutes per hand, without filing or acetone, and above all without damage to the nail. A true revolution!
Substances to absolutely avoid
Reading the INCI label (which specifies the polish composition on the back of the bottle) should be your first reflex when buying nail polish, especially if it is made outside the European Union. Whatever the polish brands, check that they do not contain risky substances such as:
• Methylacrylate monomers (HEMA, DI-HEMA TMHDC): widely used in early semi-permanent formulas for their ability to form a very strong film on the nail, these molecules have proven to be highly sensitizing. Since 2021, the EU has banned them in the manufacture and sale of cosmetic products.
• CMR substances (carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic): this category includes endocrine disruptors such as Bisphenol A but also triphenyl phosphate, TPO, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), formaldehyde, hydroquinone, xylene, ethyl tosylamide, benzophenone, styrene, and phenoxyethanol.
• Camphor is also among toxic components as it can cause serious side effects in cases of overexposure or ingestion.
💡 Good to know: since its creation in 2016, Manucurist has systematically excluded these undesirable ingredients from its polish formulas. Thanks to this commitment, Green Flash™ has always been ahead of the curve regarding the evolution of European cosmetic regulations, and Manucurist is considered a pioneering brand in responsible and sustainable beauty.
Criteria for a good organic semi-permanent polish
To choose your natural semi-permanent polish well, here are some criteria to check:
🌸A COSMOS-certified polish: among organic labels, COSMOS is the international reference for natural cosmetics. COSMOS-certified products must meet strict eco-responsibility standards and are guaranteed free from GMOs and petrochemical-derived ingredients. Manucurist products hold this label.
💅A high-performance semi-permanent polish: the clean composition must not compromise the polish's performance, which must retain all the qualities of traditional semi-permanent polish: gel-like shine, intense color, resistance, and long tenue.
🐱A vegan and cruelty-free polish: a natural semi-permanent polish must also guarantee the absence of animal-derived ingredients in its formulation, production, or manufacturing. This is validated by the certification from the Vegan Society obtained by Manucurist. No animal testing of products either, a practice prohibited anyway by European regulations.
🇫🇷 A polish formulated and made in France: this helps create jobs, reduce the carbon footprint related to transport, and guarantees high standards of quality and traceability.
♻️An eco-responsible polish: beyond the clean composition of the polish, organic polish brands must control the environmental footprint of their polishes. At Manucurist, we strive to reduce waste impact by choosing packaging solutions whose materials are recycled, recyclable, and durable, and by eliminating secondary packaging.
Green Flash™, the gentle alternative to semi-permanent
Since its creation in 2020, the Green Flash™ LED polish has established itself as the reference natural semi-permanent polish, becoming the market leader in organic and non-toxic gel polishes. It meets all the demands of today's consumers:
✅A vegan and up to 84% biosourced composition.
✅An easy polish application, supported by a complete system found in polish kits including:
• The Green Flash™ vitamin-enriched base coat that nourishes and strengthens the nail under the color thanks to the patented Kera HCE+ technology.
• One or more Green Flash™ polish colors to select from a palette with more than 100 shades.
• 2 top coats to choose from to adapt the finish and tenue to your needs: Top Coat Green Flash™ (intense shine, natural dome, and tenue up to 12 days) or Top Coat Gel Xtrem Flash™ (extreme shine, gel effect dome, tenue up to 21 days).
• A foldable LED lamp with 2 power options: 24W or 36W.
✅A quick polish removal, without filing or acetone, done by peel-off with a gentle remover, without drying out or damaging the nail plate.
Organic semi-permanent polish: key points to remember
👉An organic semi-permanent polish is a biosourced polish in which the components of traditional petrochemical-based semi-permanent polishes are replaced by natural ingredients extracted from biomass.
👉The formulas of good organic semi-permanent polishes are COSMOS certified, vegan, guaranteed free of HEMA, TPO, and other toxic substances, and respect the nail from application to removal.
👉An organic semi-permanent polish offers the same performance (shine, color, long tenue) as a traditional semi-permanent polish. It has the advantage of removing more easily, without damaging the nail.
👉The Green Flash™ polish by Manucurist is the first patented semi-permanent polish that strengthens and protects the nail under the color. Its formula is up to 84% biosourced and lasts up to 21 days with the Top Coat Gel Xtrem Flash™. It removes gently without filing or acetone.
Choosing a high-performance semi-permanent polish without compromising the health of your nails is possible with organic semi-permanent polishes. The key is to prioritize biosourced and certified products, guaranteeing a clean formula. With Green Flash™, discover all the benefits of a durable and responsible semi-permanent manicure without the drawbacks of traditional semi-permanent polish. An innovative formula recommended by 97% of users, like Sharon:
Clean semi-permanent polish that lasts, with vibrant colors. What more could you ask for? 🤗 Easy to apply, fast, the colors are super beautiful, the finish looks like real gel (but without the nasty formula full of endocrine disruptors), I love it ✨
And awarded many prizes worldwide, including:
