Or rather where. If you want the best sunscreen available, you won’t be able to buy it legally in the U.S. Unlike other countries, the Food & Drug Administration regulates sunscreens here as a drug rather than a cosmetic product. Because of this — and the inherent delays involved in approval — we Americans can’t use the best protection available in Europe: Mexoryl-based sunscreens.
Mexoryl is highly photostable, so it provides lasting protection. It is also particularly good at protecting against UVA radiation — the type that causes wrinkles and connective tissue damage. And if you think using a standard sunscreen with a higher SPF will help, think again. SPF only tells you about the length of protection you’ll receive from UVB radiation — the type that causes that familiar red burn.
So What Can You Do?
Two new products can help. One is a new sunscreen from Neutrogena called Helioplex
The other product isn’t a sunscreen, but a supplement called Heliocare. Created from a Honduran fern, it doesn’t preclude the need for sunscreen, but can provide additional protection, especially from long-term damage.
Of course the best protection is still to stay inside, but where’s the fun in that.
[tags]sunscreen, health, SPF, skincare [/tags]