Why Your Korean Sunscreen Feels Like Water and Your American One Feels Like Paste
It's not the brands; it's the filters they're legally allowed to use.
The EU permits 34 UV filters; the U.S. allows only 16 (EWG).
EWG states the EU has approved 34 UV filters for sunscreens compared with 16 in the U.S.
Frequently asked questions
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.
What does PA++++ mean on a sunscreen?
PA is the 'Protection Grade of UVA,' a rating developed in Japan and used across Asia, based on the Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD) test. It runs from PA+ (some UVA protection) to PA++++ (extremely high). It complements SPF, which reflects only UVB protection.
r/AsianBeauty: 'Why can't I legally buy my favorite Japanese sunscreen in the US?'
Sources & citations
- EWG Sunscreen Guide (Environmental Working Group), ewg.org/sunscreen
- ewg.org ↗