FDA warns of dangerous chemicals in some gel nail polish removers: What to know

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing a warning about a potential health hazard in several gel nail polish remover products.

Dig deeper:

FDA officials said they have identified methylene chloride, a toxic industrial solvent banned in cosmetics.

This chemical is often hidden under alternative names or left off product labels entirely.

What is methylene chloride?

According to the FDA, methylene chloride, also known as dichloromethane or methyl bichloride, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a sweet odor. 

It is also used in paint removers, metal cleaning, and degreasing.

The chemical has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals and is suspected of posing significant health risks to human health. 

Knowing this, the FDA has banned its use in cosmetic products.

The FDA said it tested multiple cosmetic products marketed as gel nail polish removers and confirmed alarmingly high levels of methylene chloride—some nearing 93%. 

Despite its ban, the FDA said the substance was either omitted from the ingredient labels or disguised under less familiar names.

What you can do:

The FDA said consumers should immediately stop using these products and report any adverse effects experienced to the agency’s MedWatch program.

The FDA says its warning highlights the importance of regulatory oversight in cosmetic manufacturing and labeling. 

The agency advises consumers to scrutinize product ingredients carefully and to avoid products that fail to disclose complete ingredient information.