Photo by iStockphoto/sabanuluca

Most of those cute little bottles lined up in your bathroom have a secret: they’re filled to the brim with chemicals. Some nail polish brands have nearly 30 chemicals all combined. These harsh chemicals can not only be bad for the environment, but also bad for you, as they cause nails to become brittle and have harsh fumes. No nail polish is completely natural, but the most important thing to look for are brands that are "3-free," meaning they don’t use toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP), or formaldehyde, which are all known carcinogens. Some brands also describe themselves as "5-free" when they don't use formaldehyde resin or camphor in addition.

Many of these brands still use other chemicals, so be sure to double-check the ingredients for others that cause you concern. Whether you already have the best of the best when it comes to natural cosmetics or you're just starting to green up your shelves, we’ve rounded up some of the best brands that have dedicated themselves to more natural nail care, so your next manicure can be headache- and toxin-free.

1. Zoya

Created by Zoya and Michael Reyzis of Art of Beauty, Zoya nail polish revolutionized the nail industry when it began making long-lasting, toxin-free polish. Eliminating toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and DBP from its polishes, Zoya has quickly become one of the most popular 5-free nail polish brands out there. With new colors released each season, you'll be sure to find the perfect shade for every occasion.

2. Suncoat

Since 2001, Suncoat has been crafting nail polishes with a water base and no toxins. Rather than replacing known toxins with other chemicals, a common practice among nail polish makers, Suncoat uses water. With mineral pigments and natural ingredients to boot, who can complain? Check out their peelable nail polish (no remover needed!) and nail art for an all-natural manicure that will have everyone staring.

3. Piggy Paint

Founder Melanie Hurley was horrified when she saw what the nail polish she was putting on her children's nails did to a styrofoam plate. She dedicated herself to making a water-based, non-flammable, non-toxic nail polish that has an almost unnoticeable odor. The vibrant colors of this hypoallergenic and cruelty-free lacquer make Piggy Paint the perfect option for fun-loving kids of any age.

4. Honeybee Gardens

Look at the ingredients of Honeybee Gardens' nail polish and you're bound to let out a breath you didn't know you'd been holding. This polish uses a special, water-based formula that's 3-free, nearly odorless, and free of FD&C colors (synthetic food dyes that can be used in food, drink, and cosmetics). With 25 colors including the striking blue "Oasis," deep black "Abyss," and fiery red "Burlesque," finding one to match your personality should be easy (but picking only one may not be).

5. RGB

Like Zoya, this luxury eco-minded nail polish is 5-free, plus all of RGB’s products are cruelty-free, vegan, and made in the USA. With a wide array of colors available, there’s something for every green-ista in this collection. Although it’s on the pricier side, knowing that your product is helping the Earth and your nails is well worth it.

6. Sheswai

Three-free and eco-chic, Sheswai nail polish has succeeded in creating a brand that appreciates natural glamour. If the names of the colors aren’t enough to grab you (think “yowza”), Sheswai uses sustainably harvested wood as an alternative to the typical plastic cap. No products are tested on animals and a portion of the profits are donated to organizations dedicated to sustainability, such as the Nature Conservancy and World Wildlife Foundation. A product that does good and makes you look good? Sign us up!

7. LVX

Similar to RGB, LVX (Latin for "light") is 5-free, vegan, cruelty-free, and produced in the USA. Co-founder Branka Tomic has a love for high fashion that translates into the sleek, high quality hues you’ll find on their website. LVX polishes don't come cheap, but if you've been searching for the perfect combination of luxury and eco-friendly, this is the nail polish to try.