America Just Caught Up to Europe (a Little)
How the bemotrizinol approval narrows the filter gap.
At least 8 sun-filtering chemicals used in the EU have waited years for U.S. approval.
Japan classifies most high-SPF sunscreens as quasi-drugs requiring pre-market approval.
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy sunscreen overseas?
Buying reputable sunscreen abroad is generally fine, but check the expiration date, store it away from heat, and note that US import rules treat sunscreen as a drug. Counterfeit or heat-damaged products can lose effectiveness, so purchase from trusted retailers.
Why are European and Asian sunscreens different from American ones?
The US regulates sunscreens as OTC drugs, so adding a filter requires drug-level safety data and FDA approval — a slow process that stalled for decades. The EU, Japan and Korea treat them as cosmetics or quasi-drugs and approve modern filters faster, which is why foreign formulas often feel lighter and cover more of the UVA range.
Why can't I buy some foreign sunscreens in the US?
Sunscreens sold in the US may use only FDA-approved filters and must meet OTC-drug rules, so a foreign product containing filters the FDA hasn't cleared (e.g., Tinosorb M or Uvinul filters) can't be legally marketed as sunscreen here. You may see them sold abroad or, unreliably, via personal import.
r/SkincareScience: 'What does PA++++ actually mean?'
Sources & citations
- ECHA, 'Cosmetics - UV filters' list (European Chemicals Agency)
- cosmetic.chemlinked.com ↗