25/07/2026
There's much talk about a 'nail gel ban' in the media at the moment, referring to the upcoming TPO ban in Great Britain. Gel nail services are NOT being banned, but here's a breakdown of what the ingredient ban means for products, suppliers and nail techs:
Trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a photoinitiator that helps gel nail products cure quickly under UV light and maintain colour stability, will be banned from cosmetic products placed on the market in Great Britain from 15 August 2026. This follows the ban of the ingredient within the EU cosmetics market, which was enforced on 1 September 2025.
“For product manufacturers, the ‘placing on the market’ deadline is 15 August 2026, and the ‘making available on the market’ (off-shelf) deadline is 14 February 2027," details Caroline Rainsford, director of science at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA).
“This means that professionals will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027. However, those operating in Great Britain can still use products they have already purchased after this date.”
Conversations surrounding TPO started at working group level in 2024. “The ban under the EU’s CLP regulation was based on how TPO might behave in a ‘worst case’ situation – for example, when bodies are exposed to a very large amount,” Caroline adds. “This is not how TPO is used in cosmetics.”
𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
💅 From 15 August 2026, nail product manufacturers will not be allowed to place products containing TPO on the Great British market, with many already offering TPO-free alternatives.
💅 Distributors will not be able to make products containing TPO available to purchase after 14 February 2027.
💅 Practicing nail technicians in Great Britain will not be able to purchase products containing TPO after 14 February 2027. However, they can still use products they have already purchased after this date.
For more info, head to bit.ly/gbtpoban 👈
