The one ingredient in gel nail polish that raised fertility concerns and why the UK just banned it

• The UK has banned the sale of new gel nail products containing TPO from August 15, 2026.

• The chemical was restricted over concerns about potential reproductive health risks.

• Salons can still use existing TPO products until February 14, 2027.

• Nigeria has not banned TPO, but future regulatory reviews remain possible as global safety standards evolve.

The UK has officially started phasing out some gel nail products, and if you're a regular at the nail salon, this is one beauty update worth paying attention to.

From August 15, 2026, nail salons across the UK can no longer buy or sell new gel nail products that contain trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a chemical commonly used to help gel polish harden quickly under UV or LED lamps.

The move comes after UK authorities concluded there is enough scientific evidence suggesting the ingredient could pose a potential risk to human health.

If you've ever wondered why gel polish dries rock hard under those blue lights at the salon, TPO is one of the ingredients responsible.

It acts as a photo initiator, a compound that reacts when exposed to UV or LED light, allowing the polish to cure and become durable.

For years, it has been widely used by nail brands around the world because it produces a glossy, long-lasting finish.

READ ALSO: Are BIAB Nails Actually Safe? Here’s What You Should Know

According to the UK government, the decision followed scientific assessments that found TPO may pose risks, particularly around reproductive health.

Some studies suggest prolonged exposure to large amounts of the chemical could affect fertility, prompting regulators to remove it from new cosmetic products.

However, industry experts say the actual amount found in nail products is extremely small.

Caroline Rainsford, director of science at The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association, explained:

"The reason why TPO has been banned in cosmetic products in the EU is based on its hazardous properties, meaning how a substance might behave under a 'worst case' situation when our bodies are exposed to a very large amount.

She added: "The amount of this ingredient used in nail products is over a thousand times less than the amount which could have any negative effect on fertility and these products are applied to the nail, so the potential for the ingredient to be absorbed into our bodies is even smaller."

The new rules don't mean salons have to throw away everything overnight.

Businesses are allowed to continue using existing TPO-containing stock until February 14, 2027, after which those products are expected to disappear completely from UK salons.

Many beauty manufacturers have already started reformulating their gel nail products to remove TPO while maintaining the same glossy finish customers expect.

The European Union has also taken a similar approach, with TPO set to be banned in cosmetic products there under updated cosmetic safety regulations.

READ ALSO: From Cat-Eye to Nail Piercings: The Nail Trends Everyone Will Be Asking for in 2026

For now, Nigeria has not announced any ban on TPO in cosmetic or nail products.

The country's beauty industry is regulated by NAFDAC, and there has been no public directive removing TPO-based gel polishes from the Nigerian market.

That means salons across Nigeria can still legally use these products unless regulators introduce new safety rules.

However, Nigeria has previously updated cosmetic regulations after changes in major markets like the UK, EU and the United States, especially when ingredients are linked to potential health risks.

If international evidence continues to grow, experts say it is possible Nigerian regulators could review the ingredient in future. Until then, anyone concerned about TPO can simply ask their nail technician whether the salon uses newer TPO-free gel products, many of which are already available from leading beauty brands.