'Gel nail ban' explained: What it really means for your next glossy manicure
18 August 2026, 11:01 | Updated: 25 August 2026, 15:09
A new gel nail polish ban has officially been introduced across Britain – here's how it will affect your next appointment.
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A major 'gel nail ban' has officially come into effect in the UK, forcing salons to throw out huge stashes of stock due to fresh safety concerns.
Britain has now officially banned a key ingredient featured in some gel nail brands after scientists found that it could be harmful to reproductive health and cause long-term fertility issues.
From 15th August 2026 onwards, beauty technicians will no longer be able to purchase or sell polishes containing curing agent Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO).
So what does this mean for UK salons and customers? Can you still get a gel mani-pedi? Here, we breakdown how it impacts the future of glossy nails.
What is TPO in gel nail polish and why has it been banned?
Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide (TPO) is what gives your gel nails that hard, glossy finish and is commonly found in top coats.
It reacts with the salon's LED or UV lights, causing soft gel to harden and cure, and is known for its fast setting time.
However, new research has classified the ingredient as a CMR (carcinogen, mutagen, and reprotoxic), which means TPO could cause reproductive or foetal issues.
Tests performed on animals found the chemical caused fertility problems and had a negative impact on hormones.
"TPO is being banned in the EU because scientists found it could be harmful if used in very high amounts over a long time," explained Dr Nalia Dinani, a consultant dermatologist from the Royal University Hospital in Bath.
Speaking on a BBC Sounds podcast back in 2025, she explained: "The actual risk from having your nails done is probably very low, but EU law says if a chemical is labeled as possibly harmful, it can’t be used in cosmetics."
Britain's latest beauty rule actually came into force across the European Union last year.
On 1st September 2025, manufacturers and importers of polishes that use the "reproductive toxin" were no longer allowed to sell them to the UK market – and now the UK has caught up.
It's part of a larger plan to eliminate all TPO-based products by 14th February 2027.
In the meantime, you can check your chosen polish with your salon or browse the ingredient list on the bottle.
Can you still get gel nails in the UK?
Only gel nail polishes featuring TPO have been banned - you'll still be able to book in with your nail tech to get a glossy new set as long as it's TPO-free.
There are plenty of gels and polishes that don't contain the substance so people can still get manicures and pedicures with unaffected brands.
"Taking TPO out of nail products doesn't mean they'll perform worse, but the formulas will have to be changed," said Francesca Rapolla from the UK's Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association.
Many brands are working towards becoming 'TPO-free' causing manufacturers to reformulate gels altogether.
Polishes now include alternatives like TPO-L or BAPO, which act in the same way and provide the same result – without the harmful side effects.
