Gel nail polish banned over health concerns in Europe, but not the US
An ingredient in gel nail polish has been banned in Europe, and some are wondering if the U.S. will follow suit
Women in Europe may need to find a new nail routine, as the gel nail polish they use may no longer be available.
The European Union banned a common ingredient in gel nail polish called TPO, or trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide. The organization said the ingredient has been deemed toxic to human health.
TPO is what allows gel nails to harden quickly when exposed to ultra-violet light, setting gel apart from regular nail polish. But studies using animals have shown that could be linked to fertility issues, leading the EU to ban it until more testing is done, The Independent reported.
Why did Europe ban gel nail polish?
TPO was banned in Europe, which is a frequent ingredient in gel nail polish. TPO-free gel polish does exist, though it’s less common.
Wellness Pulse reported TPO was classified as a toxic substance for reproduction in 2023. Studies found evidence that the frequent use of TPO on female rats increased infertility, and the use on male rats reduced sperm count.
Dr. Hannah Kopelman, a dermatologist at DermOnDemand, said the studies don’t yet exemplify human risk.
“The European Union is banning it out of caution, since even though we don't yet have large-scale human studies proving harm, the potential risks were enough to warrant stricter regulation. From a medical perspective, I view this as more of a precautionary move rather than a response to strong human evidence,” Kopelman said.
When does the gel nail polish ban go into effect?
The ban went into effect on Sept. 1. Last month, the EU outlined the parameters of the ban.
It said in a public document, "From 1 September 2025, both placing and making available on the market of cosmetic products containing TPO are prohibited.
"Products already placed on the market before that date cannot continue to be supplied, transferred, or otherwise made available to another person in the course of commercial activity. In other words, professionals in the cosmetic businesses may not sell these products in the EU, nor may they give these products away."
Businesses that sold polish with TPO were advised to "discontinue sale, supply, and professional use of TPO-containing products by September 1, 2025, withdraw remaining stock from professional premises [and] seek compliant alternatives from suppliers."
Will the US ban gel nail polish?
So far, the U.S. has not said anything about a ban on TPO. The U.S. has a history of allowing items that have been banned elsewhere, like certain food dyes
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