Don’t panic — but your favourite gel manicure might be changing forever.
The European Union has officially banned TPO, a common ingredient in gel nail polish that regulators say poses some serious risks — we’re talking cancer and reproductive harm. As of September 1, salons and stores in the EU have been ordered to pull any polishes containing the ingredient off their shelves, with only compliant products allowed moving forward.
For nail lovers, that means a big shake-up. While not every formula includes TPO, many popular ones do — so if you’re in Europe, your go-to shade might suddenly disappear. Meanwhile in the U.S.? Gel polish is still very much business as usual, since there’s no ban in place (yet).
And of course, TikTok has feelings. The beauty side of the app is buzzing with stories from fans who’ve dealt with gel polish allergies — some relieved by the ban, others desperate to cling to their beloved glossy finish. The vibe? Divided.
So whether you’re team “better safe than sorry” or team “never giving up my gel mani,” one thing’s for sure: nails have officially entered the group chat.