cosmetics regulation

Cosmetic regulations around the world, particularly MoCRA and EEU 1223/2009. Drawing on the teams experience, CCC can help with interpreting regulations in Europe, the US, ASEAN etc

TPO Ban – How Worried Should You Be?

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Beautiful nails achieved by UV hardening
Beautiful nails achieved by UV hardening

The European Union ban on TPO (Trimethylbenzoyl Diphenylphosphine Oxide) in nail products is making headlines and getting plenty of attention, especially from papers like the Daily Mail, who never miss a chance for a good scare story. Is it time for fans of well manicure nails to panic?

What is TPO and why is it banned?

TPO is a photoinitiator used in gel nail polishes. It helps the product set hard and stay glossy for longer when it’s cured under UV light. In September 2025, the EU made it official: TPO is banned from all cosmetic products, citing animal studies that suggested large doses could harm fertility in rats. No human studies showed the same risk, and typical use in nail products sees TPO locked in the cured gel, not floating around to be absorbed.

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Prostaglandin analogues for eyelash growth – do they work; are they dangerous?

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Prostaglandins are used in eyelash serums to promote eyelash growth
Prostaglandins are used in eyelash serums to promote eyelash growth

Prostaglandins are one of the body’s messengers that regulate various activities that keep us functioning effectively. They pop up all over the place, but one that’s particularly interesting to a lot of people is that there are prostaglandins that control the rate of hair growth.

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Etidronic Acid

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Woman looking at Cosmetic and personal care ingredients

What is Etidronic Acid and Why is it Used in Personal Care?

Etidronic acid, also known as HEDP, is a type of phosphonate compound that acts as a chelating agent. In plain English, this means it’s very good at grabbing hold of metal ions—like calcium, iron, and copper—and stopping them from interfering with the rest of the ingredients in a product. This is useful in personal care because even tiny traces of metals can spoil the appearance, texture, or shelf life of things like creams, shampoos, and soaps. Etidronic acid helps keep these products stable and looking fresh for longer.

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