In September 2025, The European Union announced a ban on TPO, a chemical commonly found in gel nail polish. The ban came after growing concerns around its potential health risks — including cancer and reproductive harm. However, this ban is for the EU only, so if you're sitting in an Australian nail salon reading this, your gel polish may still contain this ingredient.
While European regulators are pulling products from shelves and salons are required to ditch their old stock, no such ban has been introduced in Australia. The discrepancy is raising questions about what’s really in our beauty products, and whether local standards are keeping up. Here's what you need to know.
What is TPO and why is it banned in Europe?
TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) is a type of photo-initiator — a chemical that induces 'polymerisation'. This is the process that makes gel nail polish harden when exposed to UV or LED light. When rapid curing is needed, TPO is a popular ingredient. It’s been a go-to in many gel polish formulations, thanks to its long-wearing performance and durability.
However, studies have increasingly linked TPO to potential long-term health risks. The European Chemicals Agency flagged it as a substance of concern, citing carcinogenic and reproductive toxicity concerns. TPO is considered an endocrine disruptor; these are compounds that have the potential to interfere or disrupt our hormone systems. Indeed, animal studies have suggested the chemical is toxic to human fertility and reproduction.
The European Commission actually classified TPO as carcinogenic in 2023. In 2025, the same body published a regulation that said TPO should no longer be allowed in cosmetics. As such, TPO-containing products from September 1, 2025 onwards.
Does this mean gel manicures are unsafe? Is it okay to still get them?
The answer is not clear cut. And while there is evidence that TPO is not safe, there are certainly some critics of the ban and the research.
Doug Schoon, an industry leading expert and researcher who specialises in nail products wrote an open letter to the European Commission disagreeing with the ban. He said that the animal studies saw lab rats given high oral doses of TPO, which does not reflect how humans would come into contact with the ingredient.
“The prohibition of TPO in U.V. gels is not supported by a scientifically justified risk assessment,” he wrote.
At the time of writing, Australia and most other countries have not issued any official ban or restriction on TPO, and it remains widely used in local salons and polish products. An update may be on the horizon, but there’s been no confirmation yet. That means Aussie consumers may still be exposed to the ingredient, since TPO isn't always listed on polish packaging.
The question of whether to abandon your gel manicure is a deeply personal one and will depend on everyone's level of risk tolerance. As with all products labelled as carcinogens (which includes things like deli meats), the frequency of exposure often determines the risk levels.
A common phrase in toxicology 'the dose makes the poison' tells us that the safety of certain chemicals largely depends on how much of it we are exposed to. For example, Apple seeds contain cyanide. But you would have to ingest 500 or more to develop cyanide poisoning.
TikTok users are raising concerns about gel allergies
Beauty TikTok has been quick to pick up the news, with creators sharing their experiences of allegedly developing allergic reactions to gel polish, varying from itchy rashes to more serious skin sensitivity. While not all allergies are caused by TPO, nor is it possible to trace the exact cause in all cases, the uptick in these kinds of reports has many wondering whether long-term exposure to ingredients like this is to blame.
What should Australian consumers do?
The responsibility largely falls on consumers to stay informed. If you're concerned, you can:
- Ask your nail technician if their gel products are TPO-free.
- Opt for brands that disclose full ingredients, especially if you're buying polish for home use.
- Consider alternatives like regular polish, or BIAB (builder in a bottle).
- Watch for signs of sensitivity — if you're noticing irritation or changes in your nails or skin, take a break from gels and speak to a dermatologist.
