You’ve seen the panic posts. Breathe. 

Gel nails are not banned in Europe. The EU TPO ban news is about one ingredient, not the entire category. The European Commission prohibited TPO starting 1 Sept 2025, which means EU-market gels must be made without that specific photoinitiator. Your sets can keep serving with TPO-free formulas and solid technique.

 

TL;DR (for you skimmers out there)

• Is TPO banned in the EU? Yes. From Sept 1, 2025, TPO is prohibited in EU cosmetics. This is not a total gel nail polish ban in Europe situation.
• What is TPO? A photoinitiator that helps gel cure under UV/LED. Alternatives exist, including TPO-L.
• UK outlook: Great Britain plans to follow, expected around 2027.
• US status: Gel with TPO is still legal. Experts say risk is low with proper use, though many brands are reformulating.
• Scroll for a plain-English breakdown, safe-use tips, and the full F(VEX) product list.
• If you want the full and detailed FAQ, scroll to the bottom of the blog!

What We're Covering Below

1. What Is TPO in Gel Nails?
2. What the EU Actually Banned
3. Did Europe Ban Gel Nail Polish?
4. Timeline at a Glance
5. What Changes for Nail Techs and Salons
6. Alternatives to TPO, including TPO-L
7. Safety, without the scare
8. What Function of Vex Is Doing
9. What Nail Pros Should Do Today
10. FAQ

What Is TPO in Gel Nails?

TPO stands for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide. It’s a photoinitiator, the chemistry that kick-starts polymerization so gel hardens when exposed to UV or LED light. You’ll find photoinitiators in many gel systems: color gels, builders, and some top coats.

TPO is one member of that family. It became popular because it helps cure quickly and evenly at the wavelengths used in salon lamps. If a product doesn’t use TPO, it will rely on a different initiator blend to achieve the same “from slick to set” moment.

TPO vs TPO-L: they sound similar, but they’re different chemicals. TPO-L (Ethyl Trimethylbenzoyl Phenylphosphinate) is a modified photoinitiator that remains legal in the EU, UK, and US, and is one reason you’ll keep seeing fully compliant gel lines in Europe. Performance still depends on the full formula and lamp pairing.

What the EU Actually Banned

Here’s the literal tea. The TPO ban EU is a regulatory change that adds TPO to Annex II of the EU Cosmetics Regulation, which is the list of substances you cannot use in cosmetic products sold in the EU. The legal act is Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877, and it applies from 1 September 2025.

Why it happened: earlier, TPO was classified under the EU’s CLP framework as a CMR 1B reproductive toxicant. That classification automatically triggers a cosmetics ban, so the Commission moved TPO into Annex II with the same effective date. It’s a hazard-based rule. The decision does not evaluate salon exposure during a manicure. It responds to the classification itself.

What this means for your kit if you work in the EU: after the effective date, gels that list Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide on the INCI are not compliant to sell, import, or use in services. National regulators summarize the same point for salons and distributors: TPO-containing cosmetics cannot be placed on the EU market from that date.

 

 

Did Europe Ban Gel Nail Polish?

Short answer a client can screenshot: No. Europe did not ban gel manicures. The EU banned TPO, one photoinitiator used in some gels. TPO-free gels remain legal, and many brands already use alternative systems. Think of it as an ingredient swap, not an entire gel nail polish ban all over Europe moment.

Editors and chemists covering the change make the same distinction. TPO is out in the EU from 1 September 2025, while alternatives like TPO-L remain allowed, and gel services continue with properly reformulated products. In the United States, gels with TPO are still legal and considered low risk when used and cured correctly, which is why you’ll see reformulation news rather than service shutdowns.

Want the exact words for clients? Try: “Europe banned TPO, not gel nails. We use TPO-free formulas and follow full-cure, no-skin-contact protocols.” That keeps the message calm and accurate while you field DMs fueled by headlines.

Timeline at a Glance

Here’s the zoomed-out version you can screenshot and send to curious clients.

 

1. Spring 2025: The EU finalizes a regulatory update placing TPO on the cosmetics prohibited list.
2. August 2025: Brands sell through, reformulate, and relabel for EU compliance.
3. From 1 September 2025: TPO ban EU takes effect in cosmetics. New EU-market gels must be TPO-free.
4. Post-2025: Non-EU regions decide their own timelines. The US still allows TPO; many brands are reformulating anyway to stay globally aligned.
5. Looking ahead: Great Britain has signaled intent to follow; exact timing is separate from the EU’s date.

 

This isn’t an all gel nail polish is banned in Europe scenario. It’s simply an ingredient transition with a clear line in the calendar.

What Changes for Nail Techs and Salons

Think of this as a tidy little ops upgrade, not a panic button. Here’s how to keep services smooth on both sides of the Atlantic.

 

1) Audit your products

• Check INCI/SDS for Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide. If it’s listed and you work in the EU after the effective date, plan to replace it.
• Flag dupes and shade overlaps so you can swap like-for-like quickly.
• For traveling artists: build a “TPO-free” kit that clears EU backbar rules.

2) Transition your menu

• Update service notes to say “EU-compliant TPO-free gels used.”
• Keep your US menu unchanged if you prefer, or switch globally for simplicity.

3) Communicate early

• Add one sentence to booking confirmations:
  “We use TPO-free gel systems and full-cure protocols for safe, long-wear results.”
• Pin a short IG post or story highlight with the same line. It ends the “did Europe ban gel nails” DM loop before it starts.

4) Match chemistry to lamps

• Reformulated gels may cure best at slightly different exposure times. Do a quick test-cure grid per brand and note the sweet spot.
• Retire underpowered lamps. Under-curing causes more irritation than the ingredient headlines ever will.

5) Retrain the tiny habits

• Zero skin contact. Clean strays before curing.
• Thinner layers, full cure. If you stack art textures, extend cure to be safe.
• Stacked textures need extra cure. If you’re layering art gels, add cure time and perform the press-on-tip break test at your intended thickness. Aim for a smooth transition near the proximal fold and avoid leaving semi-cured product anywhere clients might touch.

6) Stock and retail

• If you retail gels or press-on kits in the EU, ensure they’re TPO-free and labeled accordingly.
• Keep a small card at checkout titled “What changed? Not your nails.” with three bullets: TPO-free, full cure, same wear.

7) Cross-border sanity checklist

• Ordering from abroad? Confirm the batch is the EU version if it’s crossing into the EU.
• Teaching or working pop-ups? Pack the TPO-free set and a lamp you trust.

Copy + Paste (What the Heck to Say)

• Website policy: “We follow EU-compliant, TPO-free gel systems and full-cure protocols. Gel manicures are not banned; one ingredient (TPO) was phased out in the EU, and our products meet the new standard.”
• DM reply: “Short answer: EU banned TPO, not gel. We’re TPO-free and cure fully, so your set is safe and shiny as ever.”

 

Sprinkle in the phrases your clients search for, but keep it calm and clear. The TPO EU ban is an ingredient swap, not a service apocalypse.

Alternatives to TPO, including TPO-L

Think of photoinitiators as the “start button” for your gel. TPO was one button. There are others.

TPO-L is the big one you’ll hear about. Different molecule, same job, legal in the EU, UK, and US. Brands also use other initiator blends. The point is simple. A good formula cures clean, keeps color stable, and wears like you expect, even without TPO.

 

 

How to spot a solid TPO-free reformulation

• Label check: look for “TPO-free” on the product page and confirm on the INCI or SDS.
• Cure specs: the brand should state lamp type, nm range, and cure time. If they are confident, they publish it.
• Color stability: swatch a white, a red, and a neon. Bake them under salon lighting for a day and watch for shift.
• Flex profile: thin overlay on your non-dominant hand, light pressure test at 48 hours. No hairline cracks.
• Finish test: topcoat two identical swatches, one gloss, one velvet matte. Look for haze, pitting, or dulling.
• Removal: soak or file as directed and watch for a clean release without plate damage. Depending on the system, product may sheet off, flake, or feel slightly gummy during removal. That behavior does not identify which photoinitiator was used.

 

Bench test you can do this week

1. Create a three-swatch strip for each candidate line.
2. Cure as directed, then add a second pass at 1.5x time. Note any heat spikes.
3. Wear a thin overlay for 10 days, log lift, tip wear, and staining.
4. Compare notes with your lamp fleet. Pick the combo that gives a full cure in the stated time.

 

FAQ in one breath

• Is TPO-L the same as TPO? No, different chemistry.
• Will my colors change? Good reformulations hold tone. If a shade yellows or fades, it is not your lamp’s new best friend.
• Do I need a new lamp? Maybe not, but verify output matches the line’s cure spec. Test, then decide.

 

Safety, without the scare

Fear-mongering is not really the vibe. Technique beats headlines. Keep clients comfortable, keep pros protected, keep sets looking bomb AF.

 

Five habits that matter more than any ingredient discourse

1. Full cure, every time. Thin layers, correct lamp, stated seconds. If you stack texture, add time.
2. Zero skin contact. Clean sidewalls and the proximal fold before you hit the button.
3. Right lamp for the line. Match spectrum and wattage to the brand’s spec, retire underpowered lamps.
4. Fresh wipes and clean desks. Uncured gel on tools or towels is how irritation sneaks in.
5. Gloves and airflow. Nitrile gloves for pros, decent ventilation, lids on pots, jars closed between hands.

 

Sensitive client protocol

• Use a TPO-free lineup, start with a single test nail, and book the full set once it wears clean for a week.
• Prep gently, avoid aggressive dehydration if not needed, and keep remover times to spec.
• Send them home with a tiny aftercare card: avoid picking, oil nightly, wear gloves for cleaners.

 

Pro routine to lock in comfort

• Keep a “clean hand” and a “working hand,” swap wipes often, and never chase cured drips with solvent.
  
• If a client reports a heat spike or tightness, lighten layers, extend the cure a touch, and reassess lamp distance.

• When adding 3D or stacked art, extend the cure and verify with the press-on-tip break test so no semi-cured product sits near the fold. Smooth any tiny ledges. Comfort comes from a full cure and a clean transition, not from capping.

 

Safety is a system. When your cure is complete, your layers are thin, and your contact is clean, clients feel great and sets last, with or without TPO.

How Function of Vex Stacks Up

Already HEMA-free and TPO-free

• Aura Melt pigments
• Chrome pigments
• Boardroom Shimmer Gel
• After Party Cat-Eye
• Hypersilk Micro Cat-Eye
• Hi-Def Gloss Topcoat
• Ceramic Matte Topcoat
• Superfood Pudding Gel
• Flex Tint Rubber Base
• Chromafix Foil Transfer Gel
• 80 Grit Texture Gel
• Armor Builder Gel
• OILWHIP Texture Gel
• Ice Ice BB Tip Adhesive

In reformulation

• SuperSculpt 3D Gel
• One Step Gels (Black Void, Perma White) — already HEMA-free
• Slick Matte
• OG Flex Rubber Base (Clear)
• Stay Put Primer
• FinePrint 3D Art Gel
• Gelly Gem Glue
• For Daze Base Gel

What to expect from us:

• Performance first. Color stability, self-leveling, wear.
• Cure data. Stated times and lamp ranges for every updated line.
• Transparent labels. Ingredient lists that are easy to find and easy to read.
• Live updates. We’ll keep this product list current as new batches ship.

What Nail Pros Should Do Today

Treat this like a tidy kit tune-up, not a fire drill.

 

 

1) Audit your shelf

• Read INCI/SDS. If you see Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, flag it for EU replacement after the effective date.
• Build a mini TPO-free backbar for travel or cross-border clients.

2) Match gel to lamp

• Check the brand’s cure specs and your lamp output.
• Run a quick test grid with thin layers. Note the sweet spot for color, builder, and top.

3) Clean technique

• Zero skin contact, wipe strays before you cure.
• Thin, even coats. If you stack texture, add cure time.
  

Pro tip: If you build 3D elements or layer art, extend cure time and test thickness. Create the design on a press-on tip at the same thickness you plan to wear, cure for the brand’s stated time at the stated lamp output, then crack the center. If you find a soft or goopy core, increase cure in small increments or apply thinner layers until the center sets fully.

4) Update your language

• Website or booking note: “We use TPO-free gel systems and full-cure protocols. Gel nails are not banned in Europe; one photoinitiator was phased out.”
• Post a short IG carousel with the same line and pin it. It kills the “is gel nail polish banned in Europe” DMs at the source.

5) Stock smart

• EU retail or kits: confirm the TPO-free version before you order.
• Label drawers “EU ok” and “US only” until your swap is complete.

6) Train the team

• Share this checklist, demo the cure grid, and agree on a single reply for client questions:
  “Europe banned TPO, not gel nails. We’re TPO-free and we cure fully, so your set is safe and glossy as ever.”

 

Keep it calm, keep it clear. The EU TPO ban is an ingredient swap. Your craft stays center stage.

FAQ

Is TPO banned in the EU?

Yes. The TPO ban EU takes effect for cosmetics on 1 September 2025, so EU-market gels must be TPO-free.

Did Europe ban gel nail polish?

No. This isn’t a gel nail polish ban in Europe type of moment. The EU banned one photoinitiator, TPO, not gel services.

What is TPO, in plain English?

TPO is a photoinitiator that helps gel harden under UV/LED; some formulas used it, many already rely on other systems.

Is TPO being banned outside the EU?

Great Britain has signaled it will align in the future. The US has not banned TPO.

Is gel still safe in the US?

Yes when applied correctly: thin layers, full cure, no skin contact, clean workspace, and proper ventilation.

Is TPO the same as TPO-L?

No. TPO-L is a different molecule that remains allowed in the EU, UK, and US and is used in compliant reformulations.

Why did the EU ban TPO?

Because of its hazard classification under EU rules. The ban follows the classification, not salon-specific exposure data.

Are HEMA and TPO “bad” ingredients?

Neither is a cartoon villain. Sensitivity depends on exposure and technique. Many pros choose TPO-free and low/HEMA-free lines, and everyone should avoid skin contact and under-cure.

Are phthalates banned in Europe?

Many phthalates are restricted or banned in EU cosmetics, but that’s a separate topic from TPO.

Does a gel bottle contain TPO? How do I check?

Read the INCI/SDS. If you see Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide, that’s TPO. If you’re in the EU after the effective date, you’ll need a different bottle.

What nail polish brands are TPO-free?

Lots are reformulating. Look for a “TPO-free” claim or for alternative initiators like TPO-L, then confirm on the ingredient list.

What can replace TPO in gel polish?

Other photoinitiator blends, including TPO-L. Performance depends on full-formula design and lamp pairing.

Will I need a new lamp after reformulations?

Not always. Verify your lamp’s nm output and run a quick cure test; keep the lamp that matches the brand’s stated specs.

Do I need to change my technique?

Keep doing the things that matter: zero skin contact, thin coats, full cure, wipe strays before curing, and retire underpowered lamps.

When exactly does the EU change hit salons?

From 1 September 2025 for cosmetics placed on the EU market. Plan your backbar swap before that date.

What should I tell clients who ask if gel was banned?

“Europe banned TPO, not gel nails. We use TPO-free systems and full-cure protocols, so your set stays safe and glossy.”

Gel Nails Are Alive and Well

The EU benched one photoinitiator, the show goes on. You bring the art, we’ll bring TPO-free products, clean cures, and receipts. If the internet starts yelling, hand them this blog or our plain-English 10-Free Nail Polish Guide.

Keep curing. Keep creating. Stay weird!