TPO Ban FAQ: Your Questions Answered

Since the EU tightened its cosmetics rules on TPO in September 2025, we've had a steady stream of questions from customers about what it actually means for their gel nails. This FAQ is a follow-up to our original explainer, TPO-Free Gel Nails UK — read that first for the fuller background, and use this page for quick, specific answers.

If you're shopping for TPO free gel nails, here's what's worth knowing before you buy.

What is TPO?

TPO (diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide) is a photoinitiator — a chemical that helps gel products cure quickly and evenly under UV or LED light. It's been widely used across the gel nail industry for years because it's effective at low concentrations and cures reliably.

Why was TPO restricted in the EU?

EU cosmetics regulators classified TPO under rules that restrict its use in leave-on and certain other cosmetic products, with the restriction taking effect in September 2025. The change reflects a broader regulatory tightening around photoinitiators and monomers used in gel nail systems, following the same pattern that has already affected other gel ingredients in recent years.

Does the TPO restriction apply in the UK?

The UK operates its own cosmetics regulatory framework, separate from the EU, though UK rules have historically tended to track EU changes over time. Brands selling into both markets, including MoYou London, generally align with the stricter standard so customers aren't caught out by cross-border differences. If you're buying from a UK retailer, it's worth checking directly whether a specific product has been reformulated.

When exactly did the TPO restriction come into effect?

The tightened EU rules on TPO in cosmetic products took effect in September 2025. Brands manufacturing or selling gel products into the EU needed to have compliant formulations in place by that point, which prompted a wave of reformulation across the industry in the months leading up to it.

Why does the same ingredient get restricted years after it was widely used?

Cosmetics regulation isn't static — ingredients are periodically reassessed as new safety data becomes available, and classifications can change as a result. TPO's restriction follows a pattern seen with other gel nail ingredients in recent years, where a substance in common use gets reclassified once enough evidence accumulates. It doesn't necessarily mean every past use was unsafe, but it does mean the regulatory bar has moved, and compliant brands need to move with it.

Is all gel polish affected?

Not automatically — the restriction applies to products containing TPO above certain thresholds in relevant categories, so the practical impact depends on each brand's formulation. Some brands had already moved away from TPO before the restriction took effect; others have had to reformulate since.

Are MoYou products TPO-free?

Yes — MoYou London's gel nail strips are TPO-free. This is one of the approved claims we stand behind, alongside our HEMA-free formulation. It's a straightforward answer for customers who specifically want to avoid this ingredient, without having to check individual batch ingredient lists.

Does TPO-free mean the product is completely risk-free?

No single ingredient claim makes a product risk-free for everyone — people can be sensitive to a wide range of cosmetic ingredients, and skin reactions can have several causes. TPO-free simply means that specific, regulated ingredient isn't present. If you have known sensitivities, it's still worth patch testing new products and speaking to a dermatologist if you've had reactions before.

What should I do with old gel polish that might contain TPO?

There's no need to panic and throw out every bottle in your collection. Products manufactured and sold before the restriction took effect were compliant with the rules in force at the time. If you're concerned, check the ingredients list, and consider using up or replacing older stock with reformulated or TPO-free alternatives as you naturally run out, rather than treating it as urgent.

Will more gel nail ingredients face restrictions in future?

It's plausible, given the pattern of regulatory reassessment in this category over recent years, but we can't predict specific future changes. The most reliable approach as a shopper is to buy from brands that are transparent about ingredients and quick to update formulations when rules change, rather than trying to track every possible future restriction yourself.

How can I check if a gel product contains TPO?

Check the full ingredients list on the packaging or product page — TPO is typically listed under its full chemical name or the INCI abbreviation. If it isn't listed clearly, or you can't find ingredient information at all, that's worth treating as a flag and asking the retailer directly before buying, particularly if you're choosing a product specifically to avoid TPO.

Should I stop using gel products that contain TPO?

That's a personal decision best made with your own skin history in mind. If you've never had a reaction and your product was compliant at time of manufacture, there's no need to panic. If you have a history of sensitivity to gel ingredients, choosing TPO-free and HEMA-free products, like MoYou's semi-cured gel nail strips, is a sensible precaution rather than a requirement for everyone.

Are non-UV gel wraps affected by the TPO restriction at all?

Our non-UV cured gel wraps don't rely on a UV-cured photoinitiator system in the same way traditional gel polish does, since they're semi-cured before they reach your nail. This is part of why they sit comfortably within both the HEMA-free and TPO-free positioning — there's a fundamentally different curing process behind them compared to liquid gel polish applied and cured at home or in salon.

What's the simplest way to shop TPO-free going forward?

Stick to brands that state TPO-free and HEMA-free clearly on packaging or product pages, rather than assuming compliance. For MoYou, this means our gel nail strips and premium gel polishes ranges — both formulated with these restrictions already accounted for, so you're not left checking ingredient panels every time you reorder.

Where can I read more about the original TPO ban?

For the full background on the EU restriction, the regulatory timeline, and what prompted it, see our original post, TPO-Free Gel Nails UK. This FAQ is designed to sit alongside it for the specific, practical questions customers ask most.

If you're choosing TPO-free products because of a wider ingredient sensitivity, our pillar guide on gel nail allergy and HEMA covers the other main ingredient customers ask us about, including patch testing and HEMA-free options.