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Sunscreen rules

Sunscreen labels differ between countries because the product sits in different legal categories. The United States regulates it as a drug, while the EU regulates it as a cosmetic, and the FDA wrote that contrast into its own order. Category decides which filters reach the list, and which marks reach the bottle. US labels carry no UVA grade at all.

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Why US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other

The FDA's own order names the contrast: the US regulates sunscreen as a drug, the EU as a cosmetic. 17 filters are on the EU list only, 5 on the US list only.

Sep 14, 2026·24 min read·Japan, Australia, United Kingdom, United States, South Korea

Countries covered

CountryArticles
JapanWhy US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other
AustraliaWhy US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other
United KingdomWhy US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other
United StatesWhy US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other
South KoreaWhy US and European Sunscreen Labels Differ: A Drug in One System, a Cosmetic in the Other
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