tst123New S.C. law lets students bring sunscreen to school without a doctor’s note
gabe [he/him]Unfortunately, a big reason for this is that not only is sunscreen not usually used daily outside of going to the pool or the beach by most Americans, **sunscreen is regulated and classified as an over the counter drug **and schools legally have to treat them the same way unless a specification is made like it is in this case.
Also, A lot of younger Americans are slowly but surely adopting daily sunscreen especially because it’s trendy on tiktok. American sunscreen sucks and hasn’t had a new sunscreen chemical approved for market use in nearly 30 years due the drug regulations. America’s suncreens are quite literally worse than most other countries sunscreens which is a big factor why people don’t use them daily.
NeuromancerWhy do you think it sucks?
I rarely wear it. I find it greasy and sticky. I rarely ever wear sun screen
From your name, I’m gonna assume you’re American as well.
The reason why it sucks both in my opinion (as well as clinically) is because the only “safe” broad spectrum sunscreens in the US that don’t rapidly degrade are titanium dioxide/zinc oxide. Those chemicals in chemical based sunscreens that make them have that distinct smell are more than 20 years old and are highly unstable chemicals that rapidly degrade as soon as they exposed to sunlight. The protection you get rapidly deteriorates, so reapplication is extra important and even then it’s not likely with those chemicals you get a full broad spectrum coverage. There’s two main wavelengths of UV that sunscreen has to target, UVB (rays that burn you) and UVA (rays that age you), both contribute to skin cancer. American chemical sunscreens only protect against so much UVA. The most effective sunscreen in the US right now is mineral based or mineral chemical mixed.
The sunscreen agents around the world, especially in Japan and Korea and Europe are the most effective and feel pretty like light lotion with lower rates of irritation and higher UV protection. Australian and Kiwi sunscreens are the most heavy duty in the world with the highest regulation. But you can’t legally sell these sunscreens in the US, as they contain chemicals that have been stuck in the over the counter drug approval limbo for decades. You can technically import them, but it’s not really legal to and American stores aside from specific stores that import from Europe or Asia sell them. People with extreme photosensitive conditions that live near Canada often go to Canada and buy tons of sunscreen just to ship it back to themselves.
It’s a mess. The bureaucratic hell isn’t moving either. As someone who’s not only at high risk of skin cancer but living with a photosensitive medical condition, it’s deeply infuriating.
For a list of sunscreen agents that clearly separate US and the worlds, check here: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen
I agree with you. I didn’t realize there were alternatives.
I can’t stand sunscreen. So I wear long sleeve, pants, etc when I’ll be out in the sun and don’t want exposure.
DessertStormsI wonder who's making enough money off of shitty sunscreen sales to ensure no competition get approved...
I don’t even think it’s corruption, it’s likely just a ton of bureaucracy completely fucking shit up. The FDA is completely busted in the way how the approve and manage things.