Is Your Gel Manicure Safe? What the EU’s TPO Ban Means for Canada & the U.S.
- staysafevancouver
- 6 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Gel manicures are one of the most popular beauty treatments in the world, known for their glossy finish and long-lasting wear. But recently, they’ve been in the spotlight for another reason: on September 1, 2025, the European Union officially banned a common gel nail polish ingredient called TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide).
This decision has sparked questions for gel manicure lovers outside Europe, especially in Canada and the United States, where TPO is still legal. Many are asking:
Does this mean gel manicures are unsafe?
Could this ingredient increase my risk of cancer or reproductive harm?
Are there TPO-free alternatives I can use instead?
We’ll break down what TPO is, why the EU banned it, how Canadian and U.S. regulations differ, and — most importantly — highlight some of the TPO-free gel nail polish brands you can buy right now.
Quick Answer: No, gel polish is not banned in Canada or the U.S. The EU banned TPO in 2025 after lab studies raised concerns about reproductive harm. Exposure from occasional manicures is considered low, but many people prefer to play it safe by switching to TPO-free alternatives already available on the market.
What Is TPO - and Why Is It Banned in Europe?
TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide) is a chemical used in many gel nail polishes to make them harden quickly under UV or LED lamps. It’s what gives gel manicures that glossy, durable finish.
In 2025, the European Union banned TPO in all cosmetics, including nail products. The reason? Lab studies linked high levels of the chemical to potential reproductive harm.
Under EU law, any substance flagged as a serious health risk—called a Category 1B chemical—cannot be used in beauty products at all.
For the average person, this doesn’t mean getting a gel manicure automatically puts you at risk. The amount of TPO in polish is very small, and real-world exposure from occasional salon visits is considered low.
Still, the EU chose a “better safe than sorry” approach, removing TPO from the market entirely.
For Canadian and U.S. consumers, this raises the obvious question: If Europe banned it, why is it still allowed here?
Are Gel Manicures Dangerous? TPO-free nail polish Explained
Many of the gel manicures offered at salons or available in retail stores—from brands such as OPI GelColor Intelli-Gel™, Gelish, CND, and Light Elegance—have relied on TPO or similar photoinitiators to cure quickly under UV or LED lamps.
While the amount of TPO in a single manicure is small, our bodies are exposed to far more synthetic chemicals than those of past generations— through food, plastics, cosmetics, and even the air we breathe.
Because of this constant exposure, many people prefer to take a “better safe than sorry” approach when it comes to beauty products. Even if the risk from one manicure seems low, it adds to a larger picture of cumulative chemical contact.
Here are the top concerns that readers often have about gel manicures:
Skin cancer and aging from UV lamps used to cure polish.
Cumulative chemical exposure, including TPO and other additives.
Pregnancy safety, where many prefer to avoid flagged ingredients altogether.
Salon worker exposure, since technicians handle gels daily.
Canada and U.S. Regulations – Why TPO Is Still Allowed
The European Union has some of the strictest cosmetic safety laws in the world. Once a chemical is classified as a Category 1B substance, it is automatically banned from all beauty products, regardless of dose. That’s why TPO disappeared from the EU market as of September 2025.
In Canada and the United States, the system works differently. Regulators like Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) follow a risk-based approach instead of a blanket ban. That means chemicals are evaluated based on the level of real-world exposure, not just their hazard classification.
📌 At the time of writing this:
TPO is banned in the EU but still legal in Canada and the U.S. Regulations may change in the future, so it’s worth checking product labels and news updates if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
So far, neither Health Canada nor the FDA has restricted TPO. Their reasoning is that the amounts present in gel polish are tiny, and once the polish is cured under a lamp, most of the chemical is locked into the hardened coating.
From a risk-based point of view, this makes the likelihood of harm to the average consumer extremely low.
For those who don’t want to wait on possible regulatory changes, TPO-free options are already available.
Amazon Alternatives: Best TPO-Free Nail Polishes
If you’d rather avoid TPO altogether, there are plenty of options.
Many global brands are reformulating to comply with the EU’s ban, and some already sell TPO-free gel systems in Canada and the United States. Here are a few of the most reliable choices available on Amazon:
One of the most trusted names in nails. OPI’s Intelli-Gel range is explicitly labeled TPO-free.
Venalisa has affordable kits and single bottles that are both HEMA-free and TPO-free. These polishes are designed to cure quickly under LED lamps while avoiding TPO and HEMA.
Canni nail gel has a variety of colors in smaller bottles, all formulated to be HEMA-free and TPO-free. They’re a popular choice for people who want to do their nails at-home and are looking for formulations without flagged chemicals at a lower price point.
👉 Not sure if your favorite brand is TPO-free? Keep scrolling to for a list of brands that commonly use TPO and tips on checking labels.
All Your Questions Answered: Gel Nail Polish & TPO
Is gel nail polish banned in Canada or the United States?
No. The ban on TPO applies only in the European Union. In Canada and the U.S., gel polishes containing TPO are still legal and widely sold.
Does gel nail polish cause cancer?
There is no direct evidence that gel manicures cause cancer in people. The EU ban on TPO is based on lab studies in animals showing reproductive harm at high doses. The UV lamps used to cure gel polish emit UVA light, which can contribute to skin aging and, in rare cases, skin cancer on the hands.
How do I know if my polish has TPO in it?
Check the ingredient list for “trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide.” If it’s listed, the polish contains TPO. If you want to avoid it, choose products that are clearly labeled TPO-free.
Which brands commonly use TPO?
Many mainstream gel polish brands have relied on TPO or similar photoinitiators, including OPI GelColor (non-Intelli-Gel), CND, Gelish, and Light Elegance. If you want to avoid TPO, check labels carefully or look for explicitly TPO-free lines like OPI Intelli-Gel, Venalisa, Canni, and Kiss New York.
Are there TPO-free alternatives available?
Yes. Brands like OPI Intelli-Gel, Venalisa, Canni, and Kiss New York all offer TPO-free gel polish options that are widely available online.
Are gel manicures safe during pregnancy?
Research on this is limited. Some people choose to avoid nail products with flagged chemicals during pregnancy. If you’re unsure, it’s best to consult your doctor and look for TPO-free and low-odor options.
What about salon workers—are they at risk?
Nail technicians face more exposure because they handle polishes daily and breathe in dust and vapors. Good salon ventilation and the use of products formulated without TPO help reduce risks.
Does regular (non-gel) nail polish contain TPO?
No, TPO is mainly used in UV-cured gel products. Traditional nail polishes usually rely on solvents and film-forming agents, not photoinitiators like TPO.
Final Thoughts
The EU’s ban on TPO in gel nail polish has sparked global attention, and for good reason. While the chemical helps gel polish cure quickly under UV lamps, it has also been linked to potential health risks in lab studies. For that reason, regulators in Europe chose the cautious route, removing it from all cosmetic products.
In Canada and the United States, TPO is still legal, and many gel polishes on the market continue to use it. But consumers here are not without options.
Whether you’re concerned about cumulative chemical exposure or just want to align your routine with Europe’s stricter standards, there are plenty of TPO-free nail polishes available.
👉 Ready to make the switch? Scroll back to our TPO-free product recommendations to explore your options.