Across the United Kingdom, gel nail products made with Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, also known as TPO, are set to disappear in stages because of concerns tied to reproductive health.

Here’s what to know

According to LADbible, the U.K. will ban nail technicians and retailers from buying gel polishes containing TPO beginning Feb. 14, 2027. TPO is added to help gel polish cure under UV light, and the European Union had already barred the ingredient after classifying it as a reproductive toxin.

Instead of immediate removal, the policy gives businesses time to continue selling or using the TPO products they already have until those supplies are exhausted.

Part of the scrutiny comes from research on rats that were given high doses of TPO and later developed fertility problems. TPO has also raised concerns because it may act as an endocrine-disrupting chemical, which could interfere with the body’s hormones.

Not everyone agrees on how the decision should be interpreted. LADbible noted that Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association, said, per the Daily Mail: “TPO has been banned in cosmetic products based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a worst case situation, when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount.”

More background

For many people, gel manicures are a routine part of self-care, professional presentation, or creative expression. For salon workers, however, beauty regulations can carry added weight, as technicians may handle these products throughout the day, making ingredient safety as much a workplace concern as a consumer one.

Even when a ban is debated, it can still push manufacturers to reformulate their products and encourage a shift toward alternatives that may reduce potential health concerns for both workers and customers.

Salons may face costs tied to changing suppliers, retraining staff, and working through older inventory, while shoppers may be left wondering whether their favorite brands will perform the same way after reformulation. The U.K.’s delayed 2027 purchasing cutoff appears intended to ease some of that disruption while still moving the industry away from a chemical under scrutiny.

The policy also raises a broader question about personal care products: how to deliver the results people want without asking them to accept potential risks they may not have knowingly agreed to.

What’s being done?

Some companies say they are already prepared for the transition. Michael Henson of nail care brand HONA said, per the British Beauty Council, “Our gel system was already formulated without TPO ahead of the Great Britain deadline, so our customers and distribution partners face no last-minute reformulation, stock-clearance exercise or disruption to supply.”

U.K. luxury nail salon brand Townhouse also said it had already taken steps to remove TPO ahead of the deadline.

Henson urged technicians to “check their ingredient lists and seek written confirmation from suppliers” when buying gel polish in the future.

As Juanita Huber-Millet, founder and creative director of Townhouse, said, per the British Beauty Council, “We’ve invested heavily in developing TPO-free systems that meet our standards without compromise so that clients never have to choose between exceptional results and peace of mind.”

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