Does the New Filter Close the US-EU Gap? Not Quite
An honest look at how far there is still to go.
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.
Questions we get a lot
Are Korean and Japanese sunscreens better?
Not automatically — but Japanese and Korean sunscreens can use modern UVA filters within competitive cosmetics markets, so many feel lighter and cover more of the UVA range. Protection still depends on applying enough and reapplying; an elegant formula used sparingly underperforms a basic one used well.
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.
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