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Thank The FDA For Your Skin Cancer
They're "protecting" you from protecting your skin with the best sunblocks out there -- like Photoderm Max 100 SPF that I get in France. Anthelios 60 SPF has Mexoryl, but both Anthelios and Photoderm Max are heads and tails above US sunblocks in the protection they offer from both UVA and UVB, and in photostability (meaning the sun doesn't make them break down like US-available sunblocks!). Here's a bit from John Mackenzie's ABC News story on why "is the Best Available Sunscreen Illegal In The U.S.?"

This summer tens of millions of Americans will apply creams and lotions to protect themselves from the harmful effects of the sun. What most do not realize is that most of the sunscreens available in the United States are inferior to those available almost everywhere else in the world.

In Europe, Asia, South America, Canada, Mexico and Australia, people are using the newest, most effective sunscreens. What makes them superior is an ingredient called Mexoryl.

"It produces a product which gives us almost perfect protection against sunshine, or at least as good as we can get at this time," Dr. Vincent Deleo, chairman of the dermatology department at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, told ABC News.

Sunscreens contain a combination of ingredients such as oxybenzone, Parsol 1789 or titanium oxide. But adding mexoryl takes sun protection to a whole new level, according to Dr. Darrell Rigel, a clinical professor of dermatology at New York University and a past president of the American Academy of Dermatology.

"Mexoryl is over two times better than any other combination of ingredients that currently exist, in terms of protecting from ultraviolet A radiation," said Rigel.

The sun's ultraviolet A radiation, which can penetrate glass, causes wrinkles and sagging skin, contributes to skin cancer, and weakens the immune system.

While most sunscreens are effective at blocking UVB rays responsible most sunburns, few lotions have provided broad UVA protection until the arrival of Mexoryl.

Mexoryl has been available around the world for the past several years, but it has yet to be approved for use in the United States. Officials from the Food and Drug Administration declined to say whether it's even under consideration.

European studies have shown the compound is both safe and effective, which leaves many American doctors increasingly frustrated it is not sold in the United States.

I pay about 12 Euros for a 1.4 oz Photoderm Max at Samaritaine department store in France. In the USA, Zitomer Pharmacy, in Manhattan, is selling that same size tube -- against FDA regulations -- for $39! For that price, you should probably just stay home and hide under your bed. We'll let you know when the FDA has stopped protecting you from protecting yourself from the sun, so you can come out, apply some really good sunblock, and go to the beach.

Posted by aalkon at May 31, 2004 10:47 AM

Comments

After reading this I googled the product, found a Canadial firm willing to ship to me. Purchased a 3 oz. tube of the 60SPF for $33 (Canadian) which includes all shipping $ handling. Conversion to US will be about $20! Thanks Amy...

Posted by: Roger at May 31, 2004 11:33 AM

That is useful information, Roger. So useful, I'll actually forgive you for coining "Canadial."

(If I can forgive Bush for "misunderestimate," I can overlook anything.)

Posted by: Patrick at May 31, 2004 8:28 PM

Patrick, I'm embarassed since I often correct those who don't spellcheck. This time I messed up. Now I'll be less critical of those who do the same. BTW I'm an old style English grammarian, so I do know better!

Posted by: Roger at June 1, 2004 7:04 PM

The word "misunderestimate" is really the only valuable contribution that George Bush has made to public life. When it comes to WMDs, he's been misOVERestimating stuff too.

Posted by: Lena at June 1, 2004 10:09 PM

Roger,

My googling skills must be pretty lame as I can't find the Canadian supplier. Please post the info here.

Posted by: Jules at June 2, 2004 6:24 PM

This is the site I found, and ordered from. http://feelbest.com Hopefully it will arrive!

Posted by: Roger at June 2, 2004 8:01 PM

Be warned that Anthelios L SPF 60 is *heavily* perfumed.

Posted by: Ron at June 10, 2004 7:04 AM

Ron ~ have you tried Anthelios XL Fluide Extreme? It is without perfume and as I have very sensitive skin it was my first choice. I ordered a kit, which includes two 50 ml containers of sunblock and one container of after sun care, from Spain for a cost of $50.00 US plus shipping.

Posted by: Jo at June 10, 2004 11:24 AM

Thanks, Jo -- there are a bunch of different Anthelios and Photoderms, in fact. The Photoderm I use, Photoderm Max 100, has titanium dioxide which makes it go on a bit white, so I add a little liquid Chanel foundation right afterward...the sheer stuff in the square-ish bottle. It has to be put on while the sunblock is still a bit moist on your skin, otherwise it will peel off in little curds, because for it to be effective, you need to have a layer of it on your skin...not have it rubbed in into invisibility. PS There's Photoderm Max with tint in it, but my skin is the color of a newly bleached bedsheet, so there you have it!

Posted by: Amy Alkon at June 10, 2004 11:33 AM

Thanks for the suggestion, Jo. My next try will probably be Ombrelle 60, which lists itself as "fragrence free" and is more readily available.

Posted by: Ron at June 11, 2004 9:16 AM

I can't find Photoderm Max on the feelbest.com site. What am I missing?

Posted by: Milliqat at August 11, 2004 3:29 PM