The 34 vs 16 Problem: A Filter Map of the World
Europe has 34 approved UV filters. The US has 16. Here's the gap.
The FDA has not added a new sunscreen filter to the monograph since 1996 (until 2026's bemotrizinol).
That 30-year gap isn't a science problem but a paperwork one: as Dr. Ellen Marmur notes, U.S. filters are regulated as drugs, not cosmetics, which is why 2026's bemotrizinol matters.
Frequently asked questions
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/SkincareAddiction: 'Is European sunscreen really that much better than American?'
Sources & citations
- Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex VI (EU allowed UV filters)
- echa.europa.eu ↗