04/06/2025
“In the United States, sunscreens fall under FDA regulation as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, meaning they require rigorous testing and approval. We currently have 16 approved UV filters, which sounds decent—until you realize that Europe has 30.1 Our go-to options include mineral filters like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (great for broad-spectrum coverage, but often leave a white cast) and chemical filters such as oxybenzone, avobenzone, and octinoxate.”
I’m a huge fan of LPAR’s tinted sunscreen by Lucrèce. It acts almost like a foundation that lasts about 10 hrs. I wear it to work at the hospital - yes, even indoor lighting can cause UV damage. And my job requires me to do a ton of walking and physical labor, so to have it last that long is a big deal! I always get compliments, too!
Let me know if you’d like to come by and test out the shades I have!
Does the rest of the world really have better sunscreens? And if so, will the U.S. ever catch up? We tapped board-certified dermatologists to find out.
