A Year of Sunscreen Progress: Where the US Stands Now
Taking stock after the big approval.
Japan's PA system rates UVA from PA+ (PPD 2-4) up to PA++++ (PPD 16+).
In South Korea, sunscreens are 'functional cosmetics' that must pass MFDS evaluation before sale.
Questions we get a lot
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.
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.
r/AsianBeauty: 'Why are Korean sunscreens so cosmetically elegant compared to US ones?'