Is Resin Toxic? What Not Every Resin Workshop Will Tell You
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Liquid, uncured resin can irritate skin and affect the respiratory system when handled for long periods without the right protective gear. This is why, even though many people have asked Nôi Studio when we'll open a resin art workshop, we haven't opened one yet — not because of the space, but for a very specific reason we want to share in this post.
Resin has its own kind of beauty: clear, still, and every finished piece carries an undeniable pull. But behind that glossy surface are a few things rarely talked about. We want to use this post to share the full picture, rather than just the polished side everyone sees on social media.
Is resin toxic?
In its liquid, uncured state, resin and its hardener carry properties that deserve real respect. Prolonged, direct contact with skin can cause irritation, and over time, can gradually sensitize the skin to resin — a quiet process that shows no immediate signs, but once it develops, is difficult to reverse. This is something we believe deserves to be said plainly, rather than left hidden behind a beautiful finished piece.
Can breathing in resin fumes be harmful?
During curing — especially when heat is used to clear air bubbles — resin releases volatile organic compounds. They're colorless and don't always carry a noticeable smell, but in a poorly ventilated space, prolonged exposure can still affect the health of the person working with it. Fumes being quiet doesn't mean they're safe.
What does it take to work with resin safely?
Working with resin safely requires three things together: good airflow, full protective gear (gloves, a suitable mask), and care in every step. Our studio has always had two large windows and two wide doors, keeping it airy and spacious enough for many people to create together — that has never been our concern. But a proper resin workshop needs more than a good space: every participant needs to be equally well protected, without exception. That's the part of preparation that takes more time and care than we first expected.
What troubles us most
There's something we want to say plainly, even knowing it's not the easiest thing to hear: on social media, it isn't hard to find beautifully shot resin content where the person working has no gloves, no mask, sitting for hours next to curing resin in a closed room. The finished piece can look stunning, but the process behind it leaves us uneasy — for both the instructor and the participants. We don't mean to judge anyone's way of doing things, since every studio has its own conditions and choices. But for us, a beautiful experience can never be worth trading away the safety of someone who trusted us enough to sign up for that class.
Why hasn't Nôi Studio opened a resin art workshop yet?
We could open a resin workshop right now. But for us, care always comes before speed. It's the same philosophy we hold for every piece of preserved moss we make — every step is carefully controlled in our workshop, choosing to work slower so a piece keeps its full beauty after twelve months, rather than rushing and trading away long-term quality.
Resin is still part of some of our products today, always alongside a full protective process for our team. What's missing is something very specific: enough protective gear to properly equip every single participant in a workshop with several people at once. That's what we're working on, so that one day soon, we can confidently open a real resin art workshop — one where everyone gets to create in the same airy, familiar space we already have, without anyone having to trade anything away for that beauty.
We're grateful for the patience and trust of everyone who has asked us about this over time. When that day comes, we hope it will be an experience everyone can feel at ease in, down to the smallest detail.
— Nôi Studio
Frequently asked questions
Is liquid resin safe to touch?
Liquid resin shouldn't be left in prolonged, direct contact with skin. Over time, this can sensitize the skin to resin — a condition that's hard to reverse once it develops. Always wear gloves when handling liquid resin.
Are resin fumes toxic?
During curing, resin releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are colorless and don't always have a noticeable smell. Breathing them in for long periods in a closed, poorly ventilated space can affect your health, even if you don't notice anything unusual.
Why hasn't Nôi Studio opened a resin workshop, even with an airy, spacious studio?
Space was never the issue — our studio has two large windows and two wide doors, and is always well ventilated. The real reason is that we haven't yet prepared enough protective gear (gloves, suitable masks) to equip every participant in a workshop with several people, and we don't want to open a class before we can guarantee that for everyone.
When will Nôi Studio open a resin art workshop?
We're preparing enough protective gear for every participant before opening a proper resin art workshop. Follow Nôi Studio on Instagram and Facebook for the earliest updates.