The End of Toxic Shine: What the EU Ban on Gel Nail Polish Means for Your Nails & Health & Fertility

If you love a glossy gel manicure, recent news may have caught your eye. As of September 1, 2025, the European Union has banned the use of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (commonly known as TPO) in cosmetic gel nail polishes. PBS+4Internal Market & Industry+4euronews+4

TPO is a “photoinitiator” chemical that helps the gel polish harden under UV or LED light and gives that firm, long-lasting, glossy finish we all love. While it has made long wear and shine possible, concerns over its safety have pushed regulators to act. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is the Concern with TPO?

• The EU has classified TPO as a CMR 1B substance, meaning it is Carcinogenic, Mutagenic, or Toxic for Reproduction under EU law. Cosmetics Business+2Internal Market & Industry+2
  
  
• Animal studies (not human trials) have indicated potential fertility risks associated with high levels of exposure. While human exposure through gel polish is far lower, regulators decided that precaution is necessary. euronews+1
  
  
• It isn’t a blanket ban on gel polish, but it does mean any gel that uses TPO must be reformulated or removed from shelves in the EU. Internal Market & Industry+2¡HOLA!+2
  
  

Other Toxic Nail Polish Details to Know

Even aside from TPO, many traditional nail polishes and salon products contain chemicals that have raised health questions:

• Formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) — often used as solvents, hardeners or to help polish adhere. These can irritate skin, lungs, and pose risks with repeated exposure. The Foot GK+2SDG Talks News+2
  
  
• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — strong-smelling chemicals that can impact indoor air quality, especially in poorly ventilated salons. ScienceAlert+1
  
  

Salon workers are particularly at risk, due to ongoing, repeated exposure. Even occasional use has risks, especially for sensitive people, pregnant people, or if nails or skin are damaged or thin.

How to Protect Your Nails (and Health)

If you love manicures and want to keep your nail game strong without compromise, here are safer practices:

1. Look for TPO-free gel polish or photoinitiator alternatives. Brands are releasing formulas that use other hardening agents that are not classified as CMR.
   
   
2. Use traditional nail polish when possible. While not completely free of questionable chemicals, many “clean” or “nontoxic” polishes exclude the worst offenders (DBP, toluene, formaldehyde). Toxic Free Choice
   
   
3. Ventilate the space. Whether you're at home or the salon: open windows, use fans or extraction systems, especially when polishing or removing.
   
   
4. Give your nails a break between gel applications. Allow nails time to recover, hydrate, and breathe.
   
   
5. Wear sunscreen or protective gloves if using UV lamps (for curing gels) to guard against skin damage.
   
   
6. Check ingredient labels. If something looks long, chemical-heavy, or has names you don’t recognise and take a moment to research.
   

The Bigger Picture: What This Ban Represents

This move by the EU isn’t just about nail polish, it signals a growing shift in how beauty and wellness industries are being held accountable. Prioritising long-term health, transparency, and sustainability. At exalte, we see this as a welcome change: a reminder that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for safety, that well-being includes what we put on the body as well as what we put inside it.

Favourite Non-Toxic Brands of exalte:

• Hanami
• Gloss & Co.
• Zoya
• Sienna
• Ten over Ten
• Piggy Paint (for kids)