EU Bans Common Gel Polish Ingredient: What You Need to Know

Gel manicures are prized for their long-lasting, chip-resistant shineabcnews.go.com. Recently the European Union outlawed trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) – a key photoinitiator in many gel polishes – effective Sept. 1, 2025. The ban means salons across the EU must stop using and sell off any TPO-based gelspeople.comsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. In contrast, the U.S. has no federal ban on TPO, and salons can still use these gel polishesabcnews.go.comnews.sky.com. With CashyMart’s trendy gel nail polish collection now available, many nail fans ask: Are gel manicures still safe? We break down what TPO is, why it’s banned in Europe, and how to keep your nails safe whether you’re in the USA, UK or elsewhere.

Figure: Gel nails curing under an LED lamp. TPO is a chemical that helps gel polish harden under UV/LED lightnews.sky.comsnopes.com.

What is TPO and Why Was It Banned?

TPO is a photoinitiator used in gel polishes. It absorbs UV or LED light and triggers the polish’s liquid ingredients to link into a solid polymer chainnews.sky.comsnopes.com. This process makes cured gel hard and chip-resistant. In October 2023, the EU reclassified TPO as a Category 1B CMR substance (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction)snopes.comsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. This was based on animal studies linking TPO exposure to fertility issues. By EU law, any ingredient deemed CMR must be prohibited in cosmetics. As a result, all TPO-containing gel polishes and similar products were added to the banned list, with the ban taking effect from Sept. 1, 2025snopes.comsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. The ban applies to both new and existing stock – retailers and salons in the EU are required to remove TPO gels from sale and safely dispose of thempeople.comsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu.

Importantly, the ban isn’t on gel polish itself, just on any gel formula containing TPO. Many gel polish brands already sell TPO-free alternatives. Major lines like OPI, Apres, and Born Pretty have reformulated or offered TPO-free gels well before the bannews.sky.comsnopes.com. In fact, Europe’s Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety once noted that TPO quickly cures under a lamp, leaving “minor residual amounts” trapped safely in the hard coatingsnopes.com. However, once TPO was officially labeled toxic for reproduction, EU rules left no exception – all TPO in cosmetics must gosingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eusnopes.com.

Health Concerns: Allergies and Exposure

So far, evidence of direct harm to humans from TPO in nails is limited. Experts say the most common risks are skin sensitization, irritation, or allergic reactions for some individualspeople.com. For example, a cosmetic dermatologist notes that typical exposure during a gel mani is low – TPO mostly polymerizes and isn’t left on skinsnopes.compeople.com. Animal studies have suggested possible reproductive effects from high TPO exposure, but human data is lacking. As Dr. Lauren Moy (a board-certified dermatologist) explains: long-term fertility damage has only been seen in animal tests, not in peoplepeople.com.

EU regulators took a precautionary approach, banning TPO on theoretical risk aloneabcnews.go.comsnopes.com. By contrast, U.S. agencies like the FDA and CDC haven’t banned TPO products. They continue to say gel polish is safe when used correctly. The FDA advises manicure fans to read labels, use polishes in well-ventilated areas, and follow instructionsabcnews.go.com. Nail industry scientists echo this: when applied properly by trained pros, the chance of an adverse reaction is very lowpeople.com. One expert pointed out that the biggest safety concerns for TPO actually come from industrial settings (like ink or adhesive factories) rather than nail salonspeople.com. In practice, most nail techs have been using TPO safely for years.

However, taking precautions is wise. Dr. Moy recommends that anyone especially at risk (pregnant or trying to conceive) lean toward TPO-free gel polishespeople.com. Other common-sense tips include spacing out gel manicures, ensuring proper curing (don’t let uncured polish contact skin), and using a protective base coat to minimize skin exposurepeople.com. If you ever experience irritation or an allergic reaction during or after a manicure, stop using that product and consult a dermatologist.

EU vs. UK vs. USA Regulations

• European Union (EU): Effective Sept. 1, 2025, TPO is banned in all cosmeticssingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eusingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu. Nail salons in any EU country had to stop using TPO gels by that date, disposing of old bottlespeople.comsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eu.

• United Kingdom (UK): The UK currently allows TPO in gel polishes, but under post-Brexit rules it plans to ban TPO by late 2026news.sky.com. Unlike the EU’s cosmetics regulations, the UK’s REACH chemical framework is giving the industry a transition period (to swap to alternatives) before enforcing a ban. This means shops and salons in Britain still sell TPO gels for now, but everyone expects a phase-out by Sept. 2026news.sky.com.

• United States (USA): There is no federal ban on TPO in nail products. The FDA regulates cosmetics, but it typically acts only if a clear hazard is proven. Right now, U.S. dermatologists predict the FDA will wait for more data before any actionpeople.com. Gel polishes containing TPO remain legal and widely available in the U.S. Still, some companies selling globally may reformulate all their products to one standard, which could limit U.S. supply of old formulaspeople.com.

• Other countries: No major non-EU country has banned TPO yetsnopes.com. In Canada and Australia, TPO products are still on the market. Overall, any nail polish sold outside the EU with TPO is currently legal. But because safe TPO-free gels exist, consumers worldwide can always choose those instead.

How to Keep Your Gel Mani Safe

Whether you get gel nails in a salon or do them at home, follow these best practices:

• Ask about ingredients: When booking a manicure, feel free to ask the salon if their gels contain TPO or other photoinitiators. Many professionals already stock TPO-free polishes. After Sept. 2025, EU salons will only carry TPO-free gelspeople.com. Even in the U.S., knowing your polish chemistry is good practice.

• Use quality products: If you paint at home, buy reputable gel polishes (such as those in CashyMart’s nail polish collection) that fully cure under your lamp. Always follow the brand’s instructions. Many top brands advertise “LED/UV cure” formulas that are designed to harden quickly under salon lamps.

• Take breaks between gels: Give your nails a little rest every few months. Short breaks help your nails breathe and recover, and allow you to check for any sensitivity.

• Ventilate well: Work in a well-ventilated room. Fumes from any nail polish (gel or regular) can be irritating. Proper airflow or a small fan helps.

• Protect skin: Apply a barrier cream or gloves when curing gel, and wipe off excess gel from skin immediately. Many technicians use a base coat and cuticle oil to protect the surrounding skin.

• Watch for reactions: If you ever notice a burning feeling, itchiness, or rash during a manicure, stop and ask to change the product. Even “safe” ingredients can cause rare allergies.

By following these steps, you minimize any risk from TPO or other ingredients. Remember, U.S. and UK experts still consider gel polish safe when used properlypeople.comabcnews.go.com.

Alternatives: TPO-Free Gel Polishes

The good news is that “gel polish” is not disappearing, only one specific ingredient. Most gel formulas use alternative photoinitiators that are not restricted. In fact, many gel polishes on CashyMart’s site and elsewhere already use TPO-free technology. For example, products labeled for LED lamps often contain ingredients like BAPO or Ivocerin instead of TPO. Major nail brands have publicly stated their EU product lines are now entirely TPO-freenews.sky.com.

If you’re buying gel polish now, look for labels like “HPD-free”, “HEMA-free”, or simply “UV/LED Gel” without mention of TPO. (HEMA is another common gel ingredient; it’s not banned, but some customers prefer to avoid it for sensitivity reasons.) Buying from a trusted collection like CashyMart’s gel nail polish range ensures you’re getting modern formulations. We stock a wide variety of colors and finishes – from classic reds and pinks to trendy cat-eye and thermal-effect gels – all tested for quality.

In practice, when Europe’s ban took effect, many global suppliers seamlessly switched formulas. UK’s Gel Bottle Co. reports that all their EU gel products are already TPO-free, and they plan to have UK products compliant by Sept. 2026news.sky.com. This means even if you travel or order from abroad, you’ll likely see “EU compliant” gel polishes (i.e. TPO-free) on shelves. You can still achieve that glossy, hard gel finish – just with updated chemistry.

• Key takeaways for product choice: Choose professional-grade gels cured under certified UV/LED lamps. Look for brand claims of TPO-free or EU-safe. Since CashyMart offers gel polishes suitable for curing with standard UV/LED lamps, you can pick your favorite colors with confidence.

Conclusion

In summary, Europe’s ban on TPO is a precautionary health measure, not an emergency recall of gel polish. Gel manicures themselves remain safe and popular, especially when done correctly. The key is to be informed: know that TPO is now banned in the EU due to animal-based reproductive toxicity classificationsingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eupeople.com, but U.S. regulators have not imposed a ban. If you’re in the U.S. or UK, you can still enjoy gel manicures – just consider choosing TPO-free formulas and follow salon safety tips. Our CashyMart nail polish collection features many high-quality gel polishes; always check the product details (and ask us if you have questions).

As one expert put it, this update is more about “staying compliant with the latest safety standards” than about any immediate dangernews.sky.com. In the meantime, continue to treat your nails well, and pick polishes that suit your needs. Whether you prefer classic gels or new LED-cure kits, there are plenty of safe, long-lasting options out there. With the right precautions, you can keep those manicures looking perfect – no matter where you are.

Sources: Multiple consumer health and industry reportssingle-market-economy.ec.europa.eupeople.comnews.sky.comsnopes.comabcnews.go.com have been used to ensure this guide is up-to-date and accurate. Feel free to click on any cited reference to read more details.