free of harsh-chemicals

Ingredients

physician developed

Our comprehensive approach to nail care was developed by Board Certified Podiatric Surgeon Dr. Cary Gannon.

the aila standard

Typical nail polish contains chemicals that are damaging to the nails. At AILA, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. We provide gorgeous colors without common ingredients #nailedit!

Feel Beautiful. Stay Healthy #LoveAILA.

Vegan

CRUELTY FREE

FREE OF HARSH CHEMICALS

KEY Ingredients

A key ingredient in our 3-in-1 Soy-Based Remover. The natural anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties of Argan Oil prevent bacterial growth.

Our 100% natural, plant-based remover includes a unique blend of Vitamins A, C, & E supplying nutrients to the nail bed with every use and promoting healthy nail growth.

Safflower oil and cottonseed oil are key ingredients in our 'Nourish' Natural Cuticle Oil. The application of these oils onto the nails provides a direct infusion of vitamin E. This nourishes, protects, and strengthens the nails.

Jojoba oil is a core ingredient in our 'Nourish' Natural Cuticle Oil. This oil closely resembles the natural sebum found in your skin and replenishes moisture lost to harsh chemicals and solvents (example: acetone and acetate polish removers).

Camellia seed oil is a fast-absorbing oil rich in Vitamin E, restoring moisture and promoting healthy nail growth. It is one of the six natural essential oils in our 'Nourish' Natural Cuticle Oil.

Tea tree oil is a fundamental ingredient in our 'Nourish' Natural Cuticle Oil. It comes with the nail health trifecta: anti-bacterial properties, anti-fungal properties, and antioxidants to heal damaged cuticles and prevent microbial infestation.

all aila products are free of:

Parabens prevent the growth of fungus, yeast, molds, and bacteria in cosmetics. They appear in deodorants, antiperspirants, and any cosmetic with significant water such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, facial washes / scrubs, and body washes. They are estrogen agonists (meaning they mimic estrogen hormone in the body)and can bind to the cellular estrogen receptor. Estrogen is a hormone that gives information to the cells in our bodies. The cells use this information in development and cellular behavior. If the message is disrupted by the paraben mimicker, the cell may develop improperly or behave in a way the cell should not behave. Breast cancer tumors have been found to have high levels of certain forms of parabens - particularly in the underarm area of the breast. There is no proven link between parabens and breast cancer, but it is certainly concerning.

Sulfates are surfactants. When added to cleansing agents, they improve their cleaning ability. The primary concern with sulfates is that they cause irritation of the skin, which is why they are being removed from many cosmetics, beauty products, and cleansing products.

Formaldehyde is commonly used in nail hardeners and polish, despite being classified as a known carcinogen by the US National Toxicology Program. It is also used as a tissue fixative and an embalming agent.

A synthetic polymer used in circuit boards and molded products such as pool balls and coatings and adhesives.

Camphor is another chemical used in the embalming process but also has applications as a plasticizer for nitrocellulose and in fireworks. It is highly flammable and toxic even in small doses.

Toluene is an organic solvent with the ability to dissolve paint, rubber, ink, adhesive, lacquers, among other products. It is frequently used as an octane booster for internal combustion systems.

DBP is a plasticizer and a common additive to adhesives. It is suspected that DBP may disrupt the endocrine system and has been restricted from use in cosmetics by the European Union.

TPHP is a plasticizer and flame retardant. It was given low priority for testing after approval in 1910 because it caused minimal skin irritation and mild irritation to the eyes. It has been used in nail polish to make the product less flammable and improve adherence of the polish to the nail.TPHP is an endocrine disruptor, which means it can disrupt the messaging to your cells, telling them to change or to behave in ways that the body would not normally signal them to behave. It was found to absorb through the nails in statistically significant amounts (reference study here).

Xylene is an aromatic hydrocarbon used for tissue processing and staining in histology labs and a solvent in the printing, rubber, paint, and leather industries. Toxicity occurs with over-exposure to xylene through inhalation, ingestion, and eye or skin contact. It can dissolve the natural protective oils of the skin and the nails.

Bismuth oxychloride is a naturally occurring mineral used as a colorant in cosmetics. It provides an iridescent or shiny effect in nail polishes. Toxicity only arises in the form of skin irritation in certain people. Bismuth oxychloride is sometimes derived from animal sources and therefore not used in AILA products.

Ethyl tosylamide is a plasticizer and film-former in nail polish. It has been banned by the EU due to its antimicrobial activity but is not considered unsafe for humans.

MIT is a chemical preservative that is added to cosmetics to prolong the shelf life. It can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation.

MEHQ prevents curing of acrylics and detergents in gel polish and can cause skin irritation.

Gluten is a wheat derivative that is linked to leaky gut and autoimmune disease like hypo/hyper-thyroid due to a phenomenon called 'molecular mimicry'. Gluten closely resembles the thyroid tissue in the body. As our immune system attacks the gluten molecule it can become confused by 'molecular mimicry' and attack the thyroid tissue instead. A concise article by Dr. Amy Myers, MD is linked here.

All nail polishes produce some sort of odor. AILA does not add additional fragrance to our products. Each fragrance is a chemical or a mixture of multiple chemicals. Cosmetic companies are not required to list the ingredients of fragrances added to their products and are therefore not fully transparent. 

We love our animal friends too much to use them in our products!

meet the founder

Dr. Cary Gannon

Dr. Gannon was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and now lives in Williamson County with her two daughters. She studied at Auburn University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.