UK Restricts TPO Chemical, Not Gel Manicures
Gel nails have not been banned in the United Kingdom, despite widespread confusion following the introduction of new cosmetic regulations.
The new rules came into force in Great Britain on August 15, 2026.
They target trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, commonly known as TPO.
TPO is a photoinitiator used in some gel nail products.
It helps gel polish harden when exposed to UV or LED light.
Under the new regulation, manufacturers and suppliers can no longer place new cosmetic products containing TPO on the Great Britain market.
However, salons can continue offering gel manicures.
They simply need to use products that comply with the new rules, including TPO-free gel nail products.
This means customers can still book gel manicures as usual at salons using approved products.
Headlines describing the regulation as a complete “gel nail ban” are therefore misleading.
The restriction applies to a specific chemical ingredient rather than the entire gel nail industry.
Why Has TPO Been Restricted?
The regulatory change follows the classification of TPO as a substance considered toxic to reproduction.
The classification was based on toxicological evidence, including animal studies.
Those studies raised concerns about possible effects on fertility and reproductive health.
However, industry representatives have stressed that this does not mean ordinary gel manicures have been proven to cause infertility in people.
The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association has explained that the regulatory decision is based on the hazardous properties of TPO under a worst-case exposure assessment.
This distinction is important because hazard classification does not necessarily mean consumers face the same level of risk during normal salon use.
Nevertheless, regulators have chosen to restrict TPO as part of a precautionary approach to cosmetic safety.
The European Union had already introduced a ban on TPO in cosmetic products in September 2025.
Great Britain has now introduced its own restrictions.
Northern Ireland follows European Union cosmetics legislation, meaning different regulatory arrangements apply there.
What Does the New Rule Mean for Salons and Customers?
From August 15, 2026, manufacturers and suppliers are prohibited from introducing new cosmetic products containing TPO onto the market in England, Scotland and Wales.
Existing products already moving through the supply chain are covered by a transition period.
The next important deadline is February 14, 2027.
After that date, TPO-containing cosmetic products can no longer be made available on the market.
This means distributors and retailers will no longer be able to continue selling new supplies containing the restricted chemical.
Current industry guidance indicates that professional users may still be able to use existing qualifying stock after that deadline under the present interpretation of the rules.
However, salons would no longer be able to buy fresh TPO-containing supplies from distributors.
As a result, many nail salons are expected to gradually switch entirely to TPO-free gel systems.
For customers, the practical impact should be limited.
Gel manicures themselves remain legal.
Salons can continue providing UV- and LED-cured nail treatments as long as the products they use comply with the updated regulations.
Consumers concerned about the issue can ask their salon whether its gel products are TPO-free.
The rule therefore represents an ingredient restriction rather than the end of gel nails in Britain.
