#notanadd . Morning! I’m posting this info because I’ve had questions about ecamsule. It’s not really that new, but it’s the only new ingredient allowed as a UVA blocker since the 70’s in the US. Unlike in other countries, sunscreens are treated as over the counter drugs, not cosmetics . That means the approval process is much more stringent than for cosmetics. . I prefer mineral sunscreens for kids and pregnant women, but feel our sunscreen ingredients are safe especially since our approval process is intense. SPF clothing, hats and sunglasses are always winners. . Since we only have 2 great UVA blockers, avobenzone and zinc oxide, ecamsule (Mexoryl SX) would be a welcome additional option. Unfortunately, blanket approval for ecamsule and 7 other European ingredients was denied by the FDA because more drug related safety testing needed to be done. (Interestingly PABA has been taken off the list by other countries because of ALLERGIC REACTIONS in some people, not cancer, but it is still approved in the US, but the press dissuaded its use) (btw, Neosporin has similar allergic reactions prevalence to PABA) . EACH INDIVIDUAL SUNSCREEN must undergo approval in the US market without blanket approval of the ingredient. Unfortunately the approved SPF in this family of products was only 15-20 SPF. . What I’m advocating for is some fire 🔥 under the FDA to do the testing and give us more options. 50 years is plenty of time . Many people may still choose mineral, ecamsule is reef same minimal or no effect even from the EWG environmental working group that damned oxybenzone and octinoxate as coral reef damaging and are banned in Hawaii. . . What are your thoughts? Should sunscreen remain as a drug and the FDA speed up their testing? Or move to the cosmetic arena? . . #themoreyouknow #sunscreen #suitcasetravels #importyoursunscreen #bootlegsunscreen #notanadjustafan #ecamsule #mexoryl #fda #reefsafe #reefsafesunscreen #reefsafesuncare