28. The TPO Ban Explained: What the EU Cosmetic Ban Means for Nail Techs & Lash Artists
Update: 2025-09-15
Description
The EU (European Union) has officially banned TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) in all cosmetic products starting September 1, 2025. This includes gel nail polish and LED UV lash adhesives — but why did this happen, what does it mean for beauty professionals, and should you be worried?
In this episode, we break down:
- What TPO is and how it’s used as a photo initiator in beauty products
- Why it was originally considered safe, and what changed after rat studies in 2021
- The difference between cosmetic use (ban) and dental use (still allowed)
- How much TPO was actually given to test animals (hint: way more than real salon exposure)
- What this means for nail techs, lash artists, and salon owners — including what to do with old stock
- The rise of “TPO-free” products and whether TPO-L is a safe replacement
This is not just a nail industry issue — it affects all cosmetic professionals, including lash artists using LED UV curing systems.
If you’re a beauty pro trying to make sense of the headlines (New York Post, People, Allure, The Times), this episode gives you the science, context, and business impact you need to stay ahead!!
Common Names on MSDS/SDS Sheets:
- Diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide
- CAS #75980-60-8
- EC/EINECS #278-355-8
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