Choosing a nail color should feel personal, whether you reach for a familiar pink or try something completely different. Knowing what is in your polish matters, too. At CAKE, every polish pairs color with keratin, biotin and vitamin E, in a 21-free formula. Here is what that means when you are shopping.
What does 21-free mean?
CAKE formulas are made without 21 harmful chemicals commonly found in nail polish, including formaldehyde, toluene, DBP and camphor. The term describes what the formula leaves out. It is a useful starting point when you want to learn more about your polish, rather than choosing by color alone.
CAKE also names ingredients including xylene, parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, lead and mercury among those left out of its 21-free formulas. These are examples, not the complete list behind the 21-free name.
How 3-free, 5-free and 21-free compare
You may have seen different free-from labels while browsing nail polish. The older shorthand starts with 3-free, then expands with 5-free. CAKE's 21-free approach goes further.
- 3-free refers to exclusions including toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate, also called DBP.
- 5-free builds on that shorthand with exclusions including formaldehyde resin and camphor.
- 21-free goes further, with CAKE leaving out ingredients including xylene, parabens and synthetic fragrances.
Think of these labels as a way to understand a formula's exclusions. At CAKE, 21-free is part of the picture, alongside the ingredients we include, our cruelty-free certification and the women behind the brand.
What goes into every CAKE polish
Every CAKE polish contains keratin, biotin and vitamin E. Those ingredients are part of the formula whichever color catches your eye. You do not have to choose a particular shade to find them, so you can keep your attention on the color you want to wear next.
CAKE is also vegan and cruelty-free, certified by Leaping Bunny, and made in the USA. These details sit alongside our 21-free formulas, giving you more to consider as you choose your polish.
Built by three generations of women
CAKE Nail Treatment & Color is a women-owned brand built by three generations of women. That shared story is part of who we are, from nail color to nail care. If you would like to get to know the brand behind the bottle, read our story.
Find your color and your care
Start with the shade you are drawn to, then explore the rest of your routine. Our nail care collection includes Power Boost Nail Strengthener, Fill Me Up Ridge Filler, Super Dry Top Coat and Almond Kiss Cuticle Oil.
Prefer to shop a pairing or a set? Explore polish and strengthener duos or browse CAKE bundles. For more information as you shop, visit our FAQs.
Ready for color? Shop CAKE 21-free shades.