Safe Nail Polish

My DD is 4 and I have been painting her toes and fingers for a year. I just get "Insta-Dry" so that it dry's fast and doesnt get on the carpet. As far as "safe"? If they arent eating it, it should be OK. Would'nt you think that if it is OK for you, it should be Ok for them?
It has been one of many things that we do to spend good ole' quality time together.
Its nail polish.

It's Formaldehyde that people think is unsafe in nail polish. You can get Formaldehyde free nail polish (health food store). Although, Im with Bee's Mom...It's just nail polish. Worse case scenerio is that if you wear it too much your nails get yellowish. It's not GOOD for you, but neither is makeup and we all wear that as well.

OK I'm really curious at what point the "safe for children" argument transitions into "ok for adults"? What's the arbirtary age, there? 12? 13?

Do YOU use nail polish and remover? Have you used it around your kids?
I do and have. They're totally fine.(In fact, DS often insists that I put some on him. I'll do a clear coat...)

Some of this is just being over the top cautious and ridiculous. If nail polish is safe for adults (which, unless you're drinking it or huffing the remover...it is), then it's safe for kids, too.

I'm really not trying to make you feel bad, I just think this whole "safe for kids" argument has gone completely rogue!

Just be careful about the nail polish remover too. I read in Dr Sears' book that the fumes can be dangerous to young children....so make sure you're in a ventilated area when you put on or remove the polish. Maybe the website that S.H. mentioned also has remover that is safer for kids.

"Piggy Paint" natural nail polish, is made just for kids.
Look for it on Amazon or E-bay.

Or their website is:
www.piggypaint.com

Its good.
My Daughter got some for Christmas from a relative.

Motives is a great line.

I agree with the previous ladies that this is one concern that you can probably relax about. I'm very conscious of the the content of the products used in our household, including personal care products, because I have a son who is allergic to fragrances and a few other chemicals. If any of the chemicals in nail polish are absorbed through the nails, it's got to be a barely detectable amount. The air in nail salons is another matter, though. That is bad for anyone. Polishing her nails yourself in a well-ventilated area is pretty safe for people without sensitivities. She's way past the age of keeping her fingers in her mouth, and risking ingesting it.

That said, I think I've seen nail polish in health food stores that claims to be "natural" and might also be available online.

there is one at whole foods that is free of the usual toxins found in polish, comes in lots of fun colors too. It's called No-miss
http://www.nomiss.com/nailpolish.html
they also have non toxic remover
I see some are saying 'it's only nail polish' BUT the chemicals go into the body through your nails too.

I haven't tried the Piggy Paint, but have seen it online. I have used Zoya and OPI for Sephora, both of which are free of formaldehyde, tolulene and a few other things. Essie is the same way. Piggy Paint maybe be even gentler...I'm not sure. It might even peel off, which would allow you to avoid the nail polish remover.
For the comments about it being safe for adults so it must be okay for kids, I think the difference has to be in your daughter. I started painting my daughter's nails at just under 2.5. At that age, she kept trying to put her fingers in her mouth and would try to chew it off. We have since worked through that and she no longer does it (at almost 3).
So, I would think at 11, you don't need to go to the extremes of a children's polish. As an adult, I only use polishes that are free of the especially toxic ingredients (so the above brands) because I think it is smart. (As a note, not all OPI polishes are free of those ingredients, so you need to check closely.)

Piggy Paint! I use it on my girls all the time. And they make a special polish remover that's kid safe too.

You can order it online, but I've also found it at Buy Buy Baby and Children's Place.

I agree with MandA.M - I have a 12 & 14 year old and I was MORE worried about giving them MEDICINE as they weigh a heck of a loss less than I do.
As for the nail polish - I did not allow my girls to wear it until they were around 10-ish. Even then they could pick the color but and adult would do the painting. One of my daughters is a horrible nail biter and I purchased the nasty tasting nail polish - it didn't work. One of my pet peeves it trashy, chipped, worn old polish that is not removed once it starts coming off. We are not big on finger nail polish in my house and as long as they are not sniffing it or eating it I really don't have much of an issue with it. Piggy Paint sounds cute though.
M.