"Foreign sunscreen is trending all over Tik Tok as people become more concerned about the dangerous effects of UV rays. It seems like every influencer is claiming to have found a foreign sunscreen that isn’t either oily or unpleasant to wear, and doesn’t leave a white cast. But is it safe and effective, or just another Tik Tok trend?" -- Amara Deanes, 7th Grade
Foreign sunscreen is trending all over Tik Tok as people become more concerned about the dangerous effects of UV rays. It seems like every influencer is claiming to have found a foreign sunscreen that isn’t either oily or unpleasant to wear, and doesn’t leave a white cast. But is it safe and effective, or just another Tik Tok trend?
In the U.S., sunscreen was first a product for the beach, making it important for it to be waterproof, which resulted in heavier, oilier sunscreens. This is a major problem for people with acne prone skin, as sunscreen could clog their pores, as well as being generally uncomfortable.
“I think American sunscreen sucks. I think foreign sunscreen is way better than American sunscreen. American sunscreen isn’t it. Not brat,” commented Cece Burger, a 7th grader in Literary Arts.
Being tan is favored in the U.S., so the market is filled with fake tan lotion, mousses, and oils. That means that the culture isn’t necessarily calling for new sunscreen formulas, because people still want to have a tan for the summer.
In contrast, paleness is favored in Asian countries, so they prioritize daily sun protection, resulting in lighter, more wearable sunscreens.
“The only sunscreen I have is Korean sunscreen,” said Burger. “It’s lighter on your skin but it still works.” Along with sunscreen, people use umbrellas for sun protection and cover their arms. People in those countries are at less risk for skin cancer and other sun damage because of the culture.
However, it’s a long and hard road to approve new ingredients in the U.S.
“In the United States, sunscreens are deemed over-the-counter drugs and are thus limited to the FDA’s rules, regulations, and rigorous testing and approval processes,” reported Elle Magazine.
It’s hard for the FDA to approve new sunscreen chemicals because of an old law dating back to 1939. This law requires new sunscreen formulas to be tested on animals and be classified as drugs. Some sunscreen makers worry about consumer backlash because their sunscreens had to be tested on animals.
Because of this, American sunscreen formulations work with less effective, and older ingredients. There are only 16 approved active ingredients for sunscreen in the U.S. compared to the 27 approved in Europe. This is partly because in other countries, such as South Korea, it’s easier to approve new sunscreen ingredients because sunscreen is regulated like cosmetics (blush, lipstick, etc.).
Not only do other countries have more ingredients to work with, they also have ingredients that work against different ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two different types of UV rays that can reach our skin.
UVA rays can reach deeply into our skin and play a big role in skin aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn, and the target concern for U.S. sunscreen. Both types can cause skin cancer, but U.S. sunscreen has very little protection against UVA rays. This means that U.S. sunscreen is less effective in preventing signs of aging.
The FDA worries about the safety of the chemical ingredients used in other countries. They say they don't have enough proof that they are safe to be absorbed into the skin. But, judging by the health of international sunscreen users, these conceptions seem to be wrong. Although “mineral” sunscreens are better for people with sensitive skin, “chemical” sunscreen shows no danger, even though both mineral and chemical sunscreens are made with chemicals.
NPR writes that “... a heavy dose of misinformation has permeated the sunscreen debate, and some people question the safety of common sunscreen ingredients (such as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) in the United States, which they deride as "chemical" sunscreens.”
This raises the question if foreign sunscreen has any dangerous ingredients. Although most ingredients have been proven safe and effective, some have shown dangerous properties. For example, studies in rats show the UVB filter called 4-MBC, causes symptoms similar to having an underactive thyroid. Don’t take these test results wrong though, not all sunscreen is dangerous. Just make sure you read your labels and do your research before buying it.
Although, buying it is a whole process on its own. Unless you’re planning a trip to Europe, Australia, or Asia, it’s hard to obtain the real thing.
“While there are many ways to buy foreign sunscreens in the United States, the authenticity of these products is always in question, Dr. Shah explains. It’s incredibly difficult to authenticate these products and even more challenging to know if they’ve been stored in appropriate conditions instead of a hot warehouse,” reported Elle. Thus, if you’re eager to try some sunscreen from another country, then your best bet is to buy straight from the company's website.
Overall, foreign sunscreen is safe and effective. It’s only the matter of getting it that’s the problem. As for changes in U.S. sunscreen, it seems that the tanning culture needs to change before we get any new sunscreen formulas. And it seems like it is. Anti-aging skincare regimens that include sunscreen are all over Tik Tok. But for now, unless you’re dedicated to trying a foreign sunscreen, using whatever you have is just as effective for everyday wear.
In the U.S., sunscreen was first a product for the beach, making it important for it to be waterproof, which resulted in heavier, oilier sunscreens. This is a major problem for people with acne prone skin, as sunscreen could clog their pores, as well as being generally uncomfortable.
“I think American sunscreen sucks. I think foreign sunscreen is way better than American sunscreen. American sunscreen isn’t it. Not brat,” commented Cece Burger, a 7th grader in Literary Arts.
Being tan is favored in the U.S., so the market is filled with fake tan lotion, mousses, and oils. That means that the culture isn’t necessarily calling for new sunscreen formulas, because people still want to have a tan for the summer.
In contrast, paleness is favored in Asian countries, so they prioritize daily sun protection, resulting in lighter, more wearable sunscreens.
“The only sunscreen I have is Korean sunscreen,” said Burger. “It’s lighter on your skin but it still works.” Along with sunscreen, people use umbrellas for sun protection and cover their arms. People in those countries are at less risk for skin cancer and other sun damage because of the culture.
However, it’s a long and hard road to approve new ingredients in the U.S.
“In the United States, sunscreens are deemed over-the-counter drugs and are thus limited to the FDA’s rules, regulations, and rigorous testing and approval processes,” reported Elle Magazine.
It’s hard for the FDA to approve new sunscreen chemicals because of an old law dating back to 1939. This law requires new sunscreen formulas to be tested on animals and be classified as drugs. Some sunscreen makers worry about consumer backlash because their sunscreens had to be tested on animals.
Because of this, American sunscreen formulations work with less effective, and older ingredients. There are only 16 approved active ingredients for sunscreen in the U.S. compared to the 27 approved in Europe. This is partly because in other countries, such as South Korea, it’s easier to approve new sunscreen ingredients because sunscreen is regulated like cosmetics (blush, lipstick, etc.).
Not only do other countries have more ingredients to work with, they also have ingredients that work against different ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two different types of UV rays that can reach our skin.
UVA rays can reach deeply into our skin and play a big role in skin aging and wrinkling. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn, and the target concern for U.S. sunscreen. Both types can cause skin cancer, but U.S. sunscreen has very little protection against UVA rays. This means that U.S. sunscreen is less effective in preventing signs of aging.
The FDA worries about the safety of the chemical ingredients used in other countries. They say they don't have enough proof that they are safe to be absorbed into the skin. But, judging by the health of international sunscreen users, these conceptions seem to be wrong. Although “mineral” sunscreens are better for people with sensitive skin, “chemical” sunscreen shows no danger, even though both mineral and chemical sunscreens are made with chemicals.
NPR writes that “... a heavy dose of misinformation has permeated the sunscreen debate, and some people question the safety of common sunscreen ingredients (such as avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene) in the United States, which they deride as "chemical" sunscreens.”
This raises the question if foreign sunscreen has any dangerous ingredients. Although most ingredients have been proven safe and effective, some have shown dangerous properties. For example, studies in rats show the UVB filter called 4-MBC, causes symptoms similar to having an underactive thyroid. Don’t take these test results wrong though, not all sunscreen is dangerous. Just make sure you read your labels and do your research before buying it.
Although, buying it is a whole process on its own. Unless you’re planning a trip to Europe, Australia, or Asia, it’s hard to obtain the real thing.
“While there are many ways to buy foreign sunscreens in the United States, the authenticity of these products is always in question, Dr. Shah explains. It’s incredibly difficult to authenticate these products and even more challenging to know if they’ve been stored in appropriate conditions instead of a hot warehouse,” reported Elle. Thus, if you’re eager to try some sunscreen from another country, then your best bet is to buy straight from the company's website.
Overall, foreign sunscreen is safe and effective. It’s only the matter of getting it that’s the problem. As for changes in U.S. sunscreen, it seems that the tanning culture needs to change before we get any new sunscreen formulas. And it seems like it is. Anti-aging skincare regimens that include sunscreen are all over Tik Tok. But for now, unless you’re dedicated to trying a foreign sunscreen, using whatever you have is just as effective for everyday wear.
