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TPO Is Out in Europe: What to Know

Pink card with text about TPO in nail polish ingredients, held by a person.

You may have seen headlines about a nail ingredient getting the boot in Europe. That’s TPO. Regulators have decided it no longer belongs in cosmetics, which means gel products that used it have had to reformulate. No panic required. This is simply the perfect moment to choose a manicure that looks incredible and loves your nails back. Enter nail wraps — glossy, fast, and TPO-free by design (yes, that includes mesme).

What is TPO?

TPO (deep breath: diphenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide) is a photoinitiator. In plain English: it’s the spark that helps UV/LED gel set hard and shiny when you cure it under a lamp.

Where would you find it?

Historically, UV/LED-cured nail products — gel polishes, builder gels and some hybrid systems.
You won’t find TPO in classic nail polish, and non-UV wraps don’t need photoinitiators at all because they stick with a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Why was it banned in Europe?

TPO’s safety classification was updated under EU chemicals rules. In EU cosmetics law, once an ingredient is classified in certain high-concern categories, it’s prohibited by default. That’s why TPO moved to the “no thanks” list. The decision is regulatory, not clickbait; brands have simply reformulated and moved on.

Is TPO in nail wraps?

Short answer: no for non-UV, and not necessary for UV.

  • Non-UV wraps (3+Day / 10-Day): TPO-free by design. They’re applied with pressure — no lamp, no photoinitiator.

  • UV wraps (14-Day): These rely on light to finish curing, but they can be formulated without TPO, using compliant alternatives.

mesme promise: our wraps — including UV — are formulated without TPO and aligned with current EU/CH regulations. Because fabulous should be fearless. 

The mesme way: same shine, smarter science

Why we love wraps (and think you will too):

  • TPO-free: skip the ingredient that’s caused the fuss.

  • Gentle on nails: easy removal; no marathon acetone soaks.

  • Salon look, sofa effort: ten minutes, cup of tea, new woman.

  • Choice for real life:

    • 3-day for play and colour pops

    • 10-day for everyday glossy

    • 14-day UV for events and “I-mean-business” weeks
If you’re searching for a gel manicure alternative, chip-resistant nails at home, or a no-acetone manicure—this is it. Nail wraps deliver salon gloss, zero faff and kinder removal. Whether you want a quick colour pop, a week of shine, or two weeks of stay-put polish, there’s a mesme wrap for that.

FAQ

  • No. Modern wraps are pre-finished gel films with real gloss and staying power — very different to paper “stickers”.

  • No. From 1 September 2025, it’s prohibited in EU cosmetics and products have been reformulated to comply.

  • Only for 14-Day UV. 3+Day and 10-Day are UV-free: press on, file, shape and go.

  • Use sensibly: short exposure times, follow instructions, and moisturise after. Prefer to skip the lamp? Choose non-UV wraps.

  • When applied to healthy nails and removed with oil/remover, wraps are kinder than heavy filing or long acetone soaks.

  • Different regions regulate cosmetics in different ways. In the EU (and Switzerland, which aligns closely), if an ingredient is officially classified as a high-concern chemical — like TPO was — it must be prohibited from cosmetics by law. In the US, the system works differently: the FDA doesn’t automatically ban ingredients when they’re reclassified elsewhere. That’s why you may still see TPO in some US gel products, even though it’s no longer allowed in Europe.

  • We spent 12+ months testing partners and materials. Our wraps are TPO-free, high-gloss, consistent in fit, and thoroughly wear-tested.

Ready for glossy without the drama?

Explore TPO-free nail wraps — 3-day for play, 10-day for everyday, 14-day UV for show-stopping shine.
  • mesme Gianna Mocha Brown 10-Day UV-Free Nail Wraps — Packaging
  • mesme Diana Red 14-Day UV Gel Nail Wraps — Packaging
  • mesme Sofia Lilac Floral 3+ Day UV-Free Gel Nail Wraps — Packaging
  • Collection of mesme Discovery Kit products including 3 different gel nail wraps, scissors, wrap remover pen, clear top coat, mini UV lamp and mini prep kit

The Stay Collection

10-Day UV-Free Wraps
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