The Nail Manufacturer Council on Safety (NMC), a council of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), is issuing an urgent warning about toxic gel polish remover. Gel nail polish removers marketed as “magic removers” or “burst removers,” which work quickly, may contain methylene chloride.

Methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane, is a highly toxic chemical. It is linked to cancer, acute poisonings, and worker fatalities. Consumers and nail care professionals might be unknowingly using toxic gel polish remover products that contain this ingredient. And, they’re probably aren’t aware of the danger, the NMC says.

Doug Schoon, Scientist and Chair of the Nail Manufacturer Council on Safety, explains, “These products pose serious health risks, violate federal and state law, and undermine the safety standards that the professional beauty industry depends on.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prohibit gel nail polish removers containing methylene chloride. But, the NMC says these products are still widely available from online retailers, often without proper labeling.

To avoid purchasing a toxic gel polish remover, the NMC says both consumers and professionals should only buy from reputable professional suppliers. The council urges regulators and online marketplaces to do more to stop the sale of counterfeit and illegal products. These endanger both licensed beauty professionals and consumers.

The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC) has launched buynolie.com, which is focused on providing actionable tips consumers can use to avoid purchasing counterfeit cosmetics when shopping online.

“We appreciate the opportunity to share information on behalf of PBA’s Nail Manufacturer
Council on Safety,” said Leslie Perry, CEO of the Professional Beauty Association. “We hope our
collaborative efforts with the Personal Care Products Council will help consumers this holiday
season.”