Camilla Jessen
Your beauty products could be missing a familiar ingredient.
A popular ingredient used in long-lasting manicures will soon be banned across Europe.
Here’s how the beauty industry is preparing and what you should look out for next time you book a nail appointment.
A Beauty Staple Under Fire
Your next gel manicure could be missing a familiar ingredient.
Starting September 1, 2025, the European Union has banned a chemical widely used in gel nail products.
What Is TPO?
Gel nails have long been loved for their glossy finish and long-lasting hold.
But behind the polish lies a growing concern about the safety of certain ingredients used to achieve that perfect look.
The chemical at the center of the EU’s latest decision is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO.
This compound helps harden the gel polish under UV or LED lamps, making it essential in many professional-grade nail products.
Why Is TPO Now Banned?
According to toxicologists and dermatologists, TPO has been classified as a CMR 1B substance.
This means the substance is potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction.
While long-term human studies are still limited, laboratory data have raised red flags.
Ban Applies to All Products
As a result, EU regulators are acting based on the precautionary principle, which says that if a risk is shown in lab testing, products should not expose people to that substance.
The ban applies to all gel nail products containing TPO from September 1, 2025, across the EU.
What This Means for You
Gel nails are not going away.
But the products used to create them will change.
Manufacturers are now required to reformulate gel nail polishes without TPO, and salons will need to check their supplies to ensure compliance.
Alternatives
Many TPO-free alternatives are already available on the market, but both nail technicians and customers will need to pay closer attention to ingredient labels.
If you’re a regular gel user, it’s a good idea to ask your salon whether their products are compliant with the new regulation.
Some Brands Are Ahead of the Curve
Fortunately, several major brands have already adjusted their formulas, offering gel polishes that are both durable and TPO-free.
These products provide the same glossy, long-lasting results without the health concerns.
What’s Next for Beauty Product Regulation?
The UK is expected to adopt a similar ban by 2026, but for now, the EU is leading the way on this front.
Experts predict that more ingredients in the beauty industry may face scrutiny in the near future, especially as consumer demand for safe, effective products continues to rise.
The article is based on information from LADbible.
