Farewell to TPO: Get Ready for Change!
What is TPO?
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide.
Helpful, right?
You may have seen one of my videos in our Safe Nail Product Ingredients program, so you might already know what TPO is. But if not, here’s a quick explanation.
UV-cured nail products — like builder gels, acrylic gels, gel polishes — usually consist of three key components: resin, solvent, and photoinitiator. TPO falls into this last category. In short, it initiates polymerization — meaning it helps the product cure under the UV lamp.
Why are we talking about TPO now?
Not because it’s an allergen!
Unlike the HEMA issue (which, as I said in my presentation last year, is largely overhyped), TPO is not primarily known for triggering allergic reactions — though it's not impossible. The reason we’re talking about TPO is because it was classified by the European Commission in October 2023 as a potentially fertility-harming substance.
This is especially relevant in light of a February 2024 study by a major international toxicology organization, which confirmed that nail product ingredients can be absorbed through the nail plate. So, the composition really does matter.
Is this just another marketing trick?
No!
EU Regulation (EU) 2024/197, amending 1272/2008/EC, officially classified TPO as a CMR 1B substance. The regulation was issued on October 19, 2023, and takes effect on September 1, 2025.
What exactly does the regulation say?
TPO-containing cosmetics cannot be marketed or sold in the EU after September 1, 2025.
However, it does not regulate the use of such products after that date. This raises questions, because many salons may still have TPO-containing products on hand. I've contacted the EU Commission, CPNP, and Hungarian authorities to clarify this. Check my video for the full answers.
How will we transition our products?
Three key points:
- We’re already switching to TPO-free formulas and aim to complete this by the end of May or early June.
- On our webshop, you’ll see a “TPO-free” label next to each product that already uses the new formula. This is kept updated in real-time.
- Note: TPO relevance applies only to UV-cured products. You won’t find TPO in non-UV products — so we won’t label them unnecessarily.
Like I said last year: you don’t label mineral water as “lactose-free.” Same logic applies.
What happens after May?
Even post-transition, small tweaks may happen — for example, if shelf tests reveal the product texture changes. We’ll always communicate updates clearly and stay fully compliant with regulations.
IMPORTANT: After September 1, you can’t advertise a product as TPO-free!
Why? Because from that date, TPO is banned. It must not be used — and highlighting its absence will be considered deceptive advertising.
So, after September 1, 2025, you won’t find “TPO-free” labels in our webshop. It will be legally required that all EU-sold nail cosmetics be TPO-free.
For more trusted info, follow us on TikTok or YouTube under “Safe Nail Product Ingredients”.
Best Regards,
Laci Gyimesi
CEO, Mystic Nails
