Why The EU Is Banning TPO In Gel Polish & What U.S. Consumers Should Know

"Short for trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, TPO is a photoinitiator. It's the ingredient in gel nail polish that reacts to UV light, making the polish turn hard, shiny, and durable. In short, it's what makes it cure. It also prevents polish from yellowing or turning strange colors, says Tiger Robson, a nail artist based in the U.K. She is not affected by the ban, but says she's had many clients reach out to her about the safety of continuing their manicures in recent months."

"According to the European Commission, TPO is now classified as a "reproductive toxicant," a substance that can negatively impact reproductive organs, hormones, or processes. As both Robson and The New York Times pointed out, there are no studies on how TPO affects the human body. There have been some studies done in rats that ingested the compound, and consuming high doses was linked to problems with fertility and development in rodents."

Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO) is a photoinitiator used in gel nail polish that reacts to UV light to harden polish and prevent yellowing. The European Union banned TPO effective Sept. 1 and classified it as a reproductive toxicant capable of negatively impacting reproductive organs, hormones, or processes. No human studies currently exist on TPO’s effects. Rodent studies showing fertility and developmental problems occurred at high ingestion doses. Gel formulas without TPO exist but typically perform worse and do not match TPO’s curing effectiveness and longevity.

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