Products marketed as ‘magic’ or ‘burst’ gel removers may contain methylene chloride, a federally banned, highly toxic chemical.
Consumers and nail professionals may be unknowingly using gel polish removers that contain methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane), a highly toxic chemical linked to cancer, acute poisonings, and worker fatalities. As holiday shopping ramps up, the Nail Manufacturer Council on Safety (NMC), a council of the Professional Beauty Association (PBA), is issuing an urgent warning about the dangers of these “magic removers” or “burst removers.”
“Licensed beauty professionals and consumers should not be misled by products marketed as quick and easy ‘magic’ or ‘burst’ gel nail polish removers,” said Doug Schoon, Scientist and Chair of the Nail Manufacturer Council on Safety. “These products pose serious health risks, violate federal and state law, and undermine the safety standards that the professional beauty industry depends on.”
Despite prohibitions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), gel nail polish removers containing methylene chloride are still widely available on major online retailers, often without proper labeling. “California has a regulation in place that prohibits the use of methylene chloride in any product,” shared Kristy Underwood, Executive Director for the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology, underscoring that even with federal and state restrictions in place, unsafe products continue to reach consumers online. The NMC emphasizes consumers and professionals should only purchase nail polish removers from reputable, professional suppliers that comply with U.S. regulations. Nail remover products containing methylene chloride may have a sweet-smelling odor and will remove gel nail polish in approximately five minutes. The NMC urges regulators and online marketplaces to do more to stop the sale of illegal products that endanger licensed beauty professionals and consumers.
The rise of counterfeit and illegally formulated beauty products online makes it even harder for consumers and professionals to identify what is safe. To help consumers navigate holiday beauty shopping safely, 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 this holiday season. PCPC advises consumers to:
• Purchase from a reputable seller
• Read product and seller reviews
• Compare pricing—if the price seems too good to be true, it usually is
“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.”