27/03/2026
Nail Polish and Potentially Harmful Ingredients
A glossy, well-done manicure can boost confidence and make you feel polished and empowered. But it’s worth asking—could there be hidden risks behind that flawless finish? Many nail products, especially UV-cured gels, contain chemical ingredients designed to improve durability and performance. Some of these substances, however, have raised concerns about their long-term effects on health.
One such ingredient is TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide). Once widely used in nail products, it has now been banned in the European Union due to safety concerns.
Why are these chemicals used?
Modern nail polishes and gels are more than just color—they are carefully formulated to provide long-lasting wear, high shine, and fast curing under UV light. To achieve this, manufacturers use compounds called photoinitiators, which trigger the hardening process when exposed to light. TPO was one of the most effective ingredients in this category, valued for its ability to ensure even and durable curing.
However, performance alone is not enough. Scientific studies have suggested that TPO may have harmful effects on reproductive health, which has led to increased scrutiny from regulators and health experts.
Potential health concerns
The primary concern is not occasional use, but repeated exposure over time. Even small amounts of certain chemicals, when used regularly, can accumulate in the body and potentially lead to:
hormonal imbalance
reduced fertility and reproductive issues
long-term toxic effects
TPO is not the only ingredient under discussion. The so-called “toxic trio”—formaldehyde, toluene, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP)—has long been associated with health risks, ranging from respiratory irritation to developmental toxicity.
Frequent exposure to such substances may pose a concern not only for consumers who regularly use nail products, but also for nail technicians who work with them on a daily basis.
