Let's Talk about TPO

What you need to know about the EU Banning TPO.

What is TPO?
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) is a photo initiator widely used in gel nail polishes to help them cure — essentially, it's the ingredient that hardens gel under UV/LED light.

Why the EU Banned It:
The EU has placed TPO under the category CMR 1B — meaning it's considered potentially carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction. This classification stems from animal studies where rodents displayed reproductive toxicity and other health issues when ingesting large amounts of TPO.

Regulation in Action:
As of September 1, 2025, all cosmetic products containing TPO are banned in the EU — including gel pproducts. This includes existing inventory, and the ban extends to both sales and professional use.
The legal basis is Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877, which updated the Cosmetics Regulation (1223/2009) to include TPO on its prohibited substances list.

Is the Risk Real for Humans?
Experts urge caution in interpretation — the toxic effects were observed under conditions dramatically different from real-life nail application. For typical salon use, exposure is very low, and the ingredients cure into solid forms, minimizing skin absorption. Many dermatologists and chemists argue that current evidence does not show a clear human risk.

Global Impact:
While the U.S. has not banned TPO and is unlikely to do so soon, many brands are pre-emptively reformulating due to EU regulation. Sooner or later, TPO-free gels may become standard globally.

Also worth noting:

Nail guru Doug Schoon has written to the EU, expressing concern that the ban may be overcautious and not based on realistic usage. Here is the link to his open letter:  https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10240321976051335&id=1362257486&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=Qc6ZkSWWFBmuosrI#