UK SALONS GET UNTIL 2027 TO PHASE OUT GEL NAIL POLISH INGREDIENT

A key ingredient used in many gel nail polishes has been banned in the United Kingdom. The banned substance is trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, commonly known as TPO, which functions as a photoinitiator allowing gel polish to cure under ultraviolet light and maintain its colour for longer. Although widely referred to as a "gel nail ban", the regulation targets only this single ingredient rather than gel manicures themselves.

The ban came into effect on Saturday in the UK, preventing manufacturers from selling new products containing TPO. However, salons retain a transition period and may continue offering gel manicures using existing TPO stocks until 14 February 2027. The European Union introduced an identical ban on TPO from 1 September 2025. According to The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, animal studies have linked TPO to long-term fertility damage and reproductive issues. The organisation noted that the ban reflects how a substance might behave under a "worst case" scenario involving large exposure amounts, rather than typical cosmetic application.

Nail technicians will be unable to purchase new TPO-containing products from the ban's commencement, though existing supplies may be depleted before the 2027 deadline. The product remains legal for use in the United States, Australia and Asia. Alternative photoinitiators are available for gel polish formulation, meaning salons will retain the ability to offer gel manicure services using substitute ingredients after stocks of TPO products are exhausted.