Why Toluene-Free? Paula's Select Polished to Perfection Nail Lacquer and Longevity Base & Top Coat are toluene-free. Toluene is a solvent used in many nail polishes (including major professional and drugstore brands ). Toluene's function is to help nail polish go on smoothly, adhere evenly to the nail, and give nail polish its unique characteristics (Source: emedicine.com/derm/topic507.htm). While toluene helps nail polish perform beautifully, it is considered a strong sensitizing agent, a toxic inhalant, and has a high risk of causing severe contact dermatitis and eye irritation. There is even risk that overexposure (which can occur if you are using nail polish with toluene in an area that is not well-ventilated, a concern mostly for manicurists) can result in central nervous system problems (Source: Handbook of Cosmetic and Personal Care Additives, Second Edition, Volume 2, 2002, page 1,571). Since 1991, Toluene has been recognized by the state of California as a chemical known to cause reproductive toxicity (Source: prevention-news.com/1997/calif.htm). Clearly, this is not an ingredient to take lightly, and one that is no longer essential to an effective nail polish formulation. I am pleased to have worked with a knowledgeable team of chemists who specialize in nail polish formulation and who produced a product that I believe performs every bit as well as the brands I have experienced in nail salons and from major cosmetics companies such as OPI, L'Oreal, Revlon, and Sally Hansen. Note: Toluene may also appear on ingredient labels as benzene, methyl-methylbenzene, or toluol (Source: International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, Ninth Edition, 2002, page 1,724). Toluene is also used with formaldehyde (another problematic ingredient that functions primarily as a preservative) in the form of toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin.