Francesca Biagioli Some professional semi-permanent nail polishes containing toxic substances banned in the EU since September 1, 2025, continue to circulate on second-hand platforms like Vinted and Facebook
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Remember the issue with professional semi-permanent nail polishes recently banned by the European Union due to the presence of two toxic substances? Well, they continue to be openly sold online on second-hand platforms like Vinted and Facebook Marketplace. This was reported by the French magazine 60 Millions de consommateurs, which warns consumers about the risks of exposure to these dangerous products.
TPO, the toxic ingredient
The dangerous substance these products contain is diphenyl trimethylbenzoyl phosphine oxide (TPO), used to rapidly harden semi-permanent nail polishes. Since September 1, 2025, TPO has been banned throughout the EU because it’s classified as CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction).
According to 60 Millions, professional nail technicians found themselves with unusable stock, and the most unscrupulous ones, instead of disposing of it properly, tried to resell it online, often specifying that the polishes were intended “for personal use only” or to create color charts.
@Laura Hespel 60 Millions de Consommateurs
According to Régine Ferrère, president of the Confédération Nationale de l’Esthétique et de la Parfumerie (CNEP), it’s “shameful” to put dangerous products up for sale. Erwan Poivet, scientific consultant for the Fédération des Entreprises de la Beauté (Fébea), reminds that professional stock must be returned to suppliers and destroyed and that online sales represent a serious risk for those without technical expertise.
The response from Vinted and Facebook
When contacted by 60 Millions de consommateurs, Vinted defends itself by stating it applies common rules to all users, both private and professional, prohibiting the sale of products that violate European legislation on cosmetic substances. When an item containing banned substances is reported, it’s quickly removed from the platform.
Facebook Marketplace, on the other hand, refers to its general terms of use: failure to comply with rules or the law may result in the removal of listings or other measures. But there’s clearly a difficulty in effectively monitoring sales of dangerous cosmetics.
There’s too much confusion
There are two types of semi-permanent nail polishes: professional ones, reserved for nail technicians and which may contain TPO, and those for private use, which are safe and free of toxic substances. On platforms like Vinted or Facebook, however, it’s not always clear which is being sold, because the distinction between professional and domestic products isn’t clearly indicated.
Consequently, those shopping online risk accidentally purchasing a professional polish containing TPO, thinking it’s as safe as those intended for home use. As Erwan Poivet explains, normally the packaging should indicate that it’s a cosmetic for professional use, and these polishes should never be handled by those without specific technical expertise.
Experts therefore recommend always asking the seller for detailed information about the product’s composition and use, and requesting additional photos if necessary, before making a purchase on these platforms.
Source: 60 Millions de Consommateurs
