TPO in Gel Polish: What Nail Technicians Need to Know

If you have been hearing more about TPO lately and are not entirely sure what it means for your salon, you are not alone. Regulation changes in the nail industry can feel complicated, but this one is fairly straightforward once you understand what TPO actually is and why it is being phased out. Here is a clear, practical breakdown.

What Is TPO?

TPO is a photoinitiator. Its job in a gel formula is to absorb UV or LED light and trigger the polymerisation process that makes the product harden. Without a photoinitiator, gel polish would not cure. TPO has been one of the most commonly used photoinitiators in gel systems for years because it is effective and fast-acting.

Why Is TPO Being Regulated?

As of September 2025, TPO has been banned in cosmetic products across the EU under CLP regulations. It has been classified as a CMR 1B substance, which is a category that covers materials considered to have carcinogenic, mutagenic, or reproductive toxicity potential. Substances in this category are prohibited by default from use in cosmetics under EU law, regardless of whether harm has been conclusively proven at the concentrations used in nail products.

It is worth being clear about what this means for the UK. The EU ban does not automatically apply here following Brexit, and as of now there is no confirmed implementation date for a UK equivalent. However, most professional-grade suppliers and manufacturers are already reformulating globally in anticipation, which means the transition is already underway whether or not a UK deadline has been formally set.

What Replaces TPO?

The most widely adopted alternative is TPO-L, a related but chemically distinct photoinitiator that is not subject to the same classification or ban. TPO-L provides reliable, fast curing and has been validated as compliant with the new EU regulations. BAPO is another photoinitiator in the same family that similarly remains permitted.

It is important not to assume that anything with “PO” in the name is the same as TPO. They belong to the same molecular family but have different structures and different safety classifications. TPO is banned in the EU. TPO-L and BAPO are not.

Will You Notice a Difference in Performance?

Properly reformulated products perform identically to their TPO-containing predecessors. Curing times, adhesion, and wear are not affected by the switch from TPO to TPO-L when the reformulation has been done correctly. This has been tested and confirmed across the industry. If a product feels different after reformulation, the cause is more likely to be a change in other formula elements rather than the photoinitiator swap itself.

What This Means for Your Salon Practically

If you stock products for EU clients or work from an EU-registered premises, you need to be using TPO-free formulas now. If you are based in the UK, you are not yet legally required to switch, but sourcing TPO-free products is the sensible forward-looking choice. Reformulated products are already widely available, and having compliant stock now means you will not need to make an urgent switch if and when UK regulation follows.

Check the product information or safety data sheets for anything currently on your shelf. If a product is not labelled TPO-free and was manufactured before the reformulation period, it may still contain TPO. Contact your supplier if you are unsure.

TPO-Free and HEMA-Free Products at VLDirect

If you are looking to future-proof your product range and reduce the risk of client sensitisation at the same time, two BlazingStar ranges are already there.

The BlazingStar StrongBuild HEMA-Free builder gel is formulated without both TPO and HEMA. It covers 36 colours and is available as individual shades from £12.00 or as a full set. View the full colour selection on the BlazingStar StrongBuild TPO/HEMA-Free colour chart.

The BlazingStar Revive Gel is a gel polish range that is also TPO-free and HEMA-free, spanning 72 colours with individual shades from £12.00 or available as collection sets. It is a strong option for salons wanting a compliant everyday gel polish with a broad colour offering. View the full range on the BlazingStar Revive Gel colour chart.

Shop BlazingStar StrongBuild HEMA-Free at VLDirect

Shop BlazingStar Revive Gel at VLDirect

The Short Version

TPO is a curing ingredient used in gel polish that has been banned in EU cosmetics as of September 2025. The UK has not yet set a formal deadline but the direction of travel is clear. Reformulated products use TPO-L instead, with no meaningful difference in performance. If you are not already stocking TPO-free products, now is a good time to start making that shift.

Free shipping on orders over £50. Orders placed before 1PM Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day