Last Updated on August 24, 2026 by omgbart
For as long as I’ve been obsessed with skincare, I’ve picked up a few things at European pharmacies during international travels. It was not always sunscreen, though. Believe it or not, I never expected such a vast difference between formulas from one market to the next. And if I’m honest, it wasn’t until my early to mid-30s that I started wearing sunscreen every single day, really, intentionally, diligently. Spoiler alert: I have not deviated since.
So in over a decade of applying sunscreen every morning, I’ve developed strong preferences. I’ve also shared a few SPF Favorites roundups on the blog: one from 2020 and another from 2023. If I were to revisit either, I’d probably narrow down the edit, but I’m happy to say I still stand by those picks. It also feels good to stand by that level of integrity.
And just so we’re clear: I was never, and will never be, some newly elitist European hater of FDA-approved formulas in the US. I just refuse to take part in the chemical vs. mineral debate. The deeply rooted belief that chemical filters are harmful is one of my biggest triggers. The other is brands labeling their sunscreens “mineral” or “all mineral” while including butyloctyl salicylate (read my take on it here).
It’s now 2026, and I’ve been living in Spain for over a year. Which means I more than dabbled in European sunscreens. I tested them like it was my job. Technically, this is not a lie. Of the 45 bottles I’ve gathered around the apartment, I paid for all but two. The two brands that generously included sunscreens in their care packages were Ayuna (local to me, made in Spain) and Instytutum (made in Switzerland).
US vs EU: Why the Filters Are So Different
The gap starts with how each side classifies sunscreen in the first place. In the US, sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter drug, and the FDA approves active ingredients through a fixed monograph (21 CFR 352.10). Getting a new filter added means clearing a drug-level review, and for 27 years, nobody did: bemotrizinol, in June 2026, was the first new filter added since 1999.
In the EU, sunscreen is a cosmetic product under Regulation 1223/2009, and filters are approved and updated through Annex VI, a process that moves considerably faster and doesn’t require the same clinical hurdles. That’s the whole story behind why EU shelves have had broader, more photostable UVA coverage for years, sometimes decades, before it shows up in the US.
It’s not one-directional, though. The EU is also more willing to pull a filter once new safety data comes in: 4-methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC) was banned outright across all EU cosmetics in April 2024, while it’s still permitted, if rarely used, in the US. And EU homosalate has been capped at 7.34% for face products since July 2025, well under the US limit of 15%.
| Filter | INCI Name | Marketing / Trade Name | US Status | EU Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avobenzone | Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane | Parsol 1789 | Approved, 3% max | Approved, 5% max |
| Octocrylene | Octocrylene | N/A | Approved | Approved, 9–10% max |
| Homosalate | Homosalate | N/A | Approved, 15% max | Approved, 7.34% max (face only) |
| Oxybenzone | Benzophenone-3 | Uvinul M40 | Approved, 6% max | Approved, 2.2% max (body) |
| Zinc Oxide | Zinc Oxide | N/A | Approved, 25% max | Approved, 25% max |
| Titanium Dioxide | Titanium Dioxide | N/A | Approved, 25% max | Approved, 25% max |
| Ecamsule | Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid | Mexoryl SX | NDA-only (L’Oréal brands) | Approved, 10% max |
| Drometrizole Trisiloxane | Drometrizole Trisiloxane | Mexoryl XL | Not approved | Approved, 15% max |
| Bemotrizinol | Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine | Tinosorb S | Approved June 2026, 6% max | Approved, 10% max |
| Bisoctrizole | Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol | Tinosorb M | Not approved | Approved, 10% max |
| DHHB | Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate | Uvinul A Plus | Not approved | Approved, 10% max |
| Ethylhexyl Triazone | Ethylhexyl Triazone | Uvinul T 150 | Not approved | Approved, 5% max |
| Iscotrizinol | Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone | Uvasorb HEB | Not approved | Approved, 10% max |
| 4-MBC | 4-Methylbenzylidene Camphor | Eusolex 6300 | Approved, rarely used | Banned (April 2024) |
| Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine | Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine | TriAsorB | Not approved | Approved, under 5% |
Patented & Exclusive Combos
A few of the filters above don’t just differ by market, they’re tied to specific brands:
Mexoryl SX + Mexoryl XL: L’Oréal’s proprietary UVA pairing (a water-soluble filter paired with an oil-soluble one), used across Anthelios, La Roche-Posay, SkinCeuticals, and Vichy. Mexoryl SX only exists in the US at all because L’Oréal secured its own New Drug Application directly with the FDA, separate from the general monograph, which is why you’ll only find it in L’Oréal-owned brands stateside. Mexoryl XL hasn’t cleared the US at all.
Tinosorb S + Tinosorb M: BASF’s patented duo, standard across EU and Asian formulas for years. Tinosorb S (bemotrizinol) just became the first new filter approved by the FDA since 1999, so expect it to start showing up in US formulas soon. Tinosorb M (bisoctrizole) is still unapproved here.
Uvinul A Plus + Uvinul T 150: BASF’s other pair, common in EU sunscreens for UVA (DHHB) and UVB (ethylhexyl triazone) protection respectively. Neither has cleared the US monograph.
TriAsorB: Pierre Fabre’s own filter, developed and launched in-house rather than licensed from a chemical company like BASF. It’s one of the newest filters approved in the EU, protects against blue light up to 420nm on top of UVA/UVB, and shows up across Avène (Pierre Fabre’s own brand). It hasn’t been filed in the US at all.
Sources: 21 CFR 352.10, eCFR; FDA: FDA Expands Sunscreen Options for the First Time in 20 Years; BASF: Bemotrizinol FDA approval announcement; EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009, Annex VI; Obelis: New EU Homosalate Rule Effective July 2025; European Commission: 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC); Pierre Fabre: TriAsorB launch
ISDIN EU vs. US
For years, I’ve picked up the cult classic that is Fusion Water Magic SPF 50 by ISDIN. Found in every pharmacy across Spain, Italy, and everywhere in between, it’s the most weightless everyday sunscreen you can find.
I was intrigued yet skeptical when ISDIN introduced Fusion Water Magic in the US. I should have known, filters aside, that things were going to feel different. For starters, the US formula is labeled SPF 40, while the original is and always has been SPF 50.
One of my Dermstore orders included a deluxe mini, so I got to test them side-by-side. They are similar. They are nowhere near close to being the same. The US version feels creamier, doesn’t absorb as well, and leaves a sheen on my skin. The European staple is completely traceless and an absolute joy to use. Always pick up an extra one during your international trips.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the UV filter differences:
| EU Fusion Water | US Fusion Water | |
|---|---|---|
| Shared filters | Ethylhexyl Salicylate, Avobenzone | Octisalate, Avobenzone |
| EU-exclusive filters | Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid (Ensulizole) | N/A |
| US-exclusive filters | N/A | Octocrylene 9%, Homosalate 7.3% |
| Total filter count | 5 | 4 |
| Concentrations on label | Not disclosed (cosmetic labeling) | Disclosed (drug labeling) |
Quick translation note before you scan that table: Ethylhexyl Salicylate and Octisalate are the same molecule, and so are Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane and Avobenzone. The EU labels by chemical name, the US labels by the FDA’s approved name for the same compound. So the real overlap is exactly two filters: octisalate and avobenzone. Everything else, Tinosorb S, Uvinul T 150, and Ensulizole in Spain; octocrylene and homosalate here, is a genuine swap, not a translation issue.
That swap also explains the texture. The US formula carries close to 23.5% total UV filter, all oily esters, with none of the lightweight solvents the EU version leans on, plus water-resistance polymers built to leave a film on skin. Heavier filters, no lightweight solvents, polymers built to linger: that’s the sheen.
As for the SPF gap, testing differences between the EU and US can shift the number, but the more likely culprit is a maxed-out formula. Octisalate, avobenzone, and octocrylene are all sitting within 90% of their FDA limits, so there’s little room to chase SPF 50 without an even heavier formula than the one already leaving a sheen on my arm.
When you’re shopping for ISDIN on European soil, you will notice various Fusion Water Magic formulas. There is Glow, which is super sparkly (it was too sparkly for me); there are Color versions (which are ok); there is one labeled Urban with more antioxidants for that big city air (I’m a fan of this one). My favorite tinted ISDIN sunscreen is the Fotoultra 100 Active Color Unify. Sheer, satiny, very natural-looking. It’s spectacular.
I’ve always recommended the ISDIN Eryfotona formulas in the US, especially the tinted one. In Spain, the only Eryfotona one I found is Eryfotona AK-NMSC Fluid SPF 100+, which is a hybrid using chemical and physical filters. It’s pretty good.
La Roche-Posay Sunscreens
This is somewhat reminiscent of ISDIN, especially when it comes to my favorite La Roche-Posay sunscreen, UVAir SPF 50. This was my first discovery after moving to Madrid, and upon trying it at a local pharmacy, I bought three bottles. I love everything about this product. I’ve covered it extensively on the blog: the original formula and the tinted version that came out a year later.
La Roche-Posay brought UVAir SPF 50 to the US earlier this year. You can guess how that went. It’s not the same product. I’m screaming on the inside.
I broke down the full US vs. EU comparison here: La Roche-Posay UVAir SPF 50: US vs. EU.
Anthelios UVMune 400
This range is a favorite of hardcore SPF loyalists who appreciate elevated UV protection with treatment-like perks. Personally, I like these a lot. I find the textures a smidgen richer than UVAir, and some tend to lean yellow in hue, which can stain those white tee collars. Unscented and hard-working, these are serious daily formulas that feel elegant. I’m partial to the anti-hyperpigmentation formula as well as the KA fluid, which is a bit harder to find.
Other LRP Formulas You May Want to Check Out
Unlike Stateside, La Roche-Posay also adds sunscreen options as ancillaries to some of their other ranges. There is a Hyalu B water gel SPF 30 that I’ve been buying in Italy for a few years, as well as a Pure Vitamin C SPF 25 cream. Both are amazing, albeit a tad creatively priced for a pharmacy sunscreen. In my opinion… You’ll also find Cicaplast, Toleriane, Effaclar, and Pigmentclar have their own dedicated sunscreen formulas.
The one I have more experience with is the Hyalu B5 Suractivated Cream SPF 30, which seems to be available exclusively in Spain. If you’re after a gorgeous moisturizer that doubles as sunscreen, I recommend it highly. More detailed post here.
Vichy
Since Vichy is a L’Oréal brand, you can expect a slight overlap with filters used in La Roche-Posay. Earlier this year, I picked up a tube of the Vichy UV Aqua SPF 50 hydrating fluid in a tinted version (light shade), and it is remarkably similar to the La Roche-Posay UVAir SPF 50. So much so that the ingredient decks almost mirror each other, and all UV filters overlap.
The noteworthy tweak includes swapping out both niacinamide and sodium hyaluronate for ascorbyl glucoside (a gentle form of vitamin C) in the Vichy sunscreen. This subtle change boosts its antioxidant presence and offers skin-brightening properties. I’m very much enjoying this one.
If you enjoy lightweight, very J-beauty-feeling silky textures, the Vichy Mineral 89 Daily Fluid SPF 50 is also a great pick. And for those interested in a more skincare-forward approach, check out the UV Age fluids in white bottles. While there was nothing too obvious for me to pick apart in the latter, I did not find them worthy of a permanent spot in my SPF routine. You may?
Avène
This is one of the most sobering (and painful) realizations since moving to Europe. I’ve come to accept that Avène just doesn’t do great sunscreens. I really used to be a fan, especially in the early days of writing my blog. I found the formulas stood out in the US market. Seeing how they compare against everything else available in Europe, I had to move on.
Worth noting upfront: every formula below, Ultra Fluid and Ultra Serum alike, runs on the same four-filter system. DHHB (Uvinul A Plus), Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), and Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S) are licensed from BASF, while the fourth, Phenylene Bis-Diphenyltriazine, is TriAsorB, a filter Pierre Fabre developed in-house. It’s not that Avène can’t build a good filter system, they clearly did. It’s what’s layered on top of it that hasn’t been sticking the landing for me.
The Avène Ultra Fluid SPF 50 formulas actually kicked off my early days here rather well. Sometimes, I still reach for the Invisible one, but most likely will not repurchase. It was the Mat Perfect formula I expected to blow me away, and it’s… just okay. The latter actually does great when I use a brush to blend it around my facial hair, as the slight tint can sometimes cling to certain areas. Again, they’re fine. I just wouldn’t risk getting to the airport late to pick up a backup.
The Avène Ultra Serum SPF formulas were among my biggest disappointments of the year. I purchased all three the week they launched. I’m still using them up (on my morning walk before I shower, so the expectations are very low here) and honestly, I cannot wait to rid my bathroom of these. I’m just not a fan of the odd way these sit on the skin feeling weirdly “present”. On paper, these sound great.
Then, each of the three formulas includes a headline ingredient that makes Ultra Serum do more than just protect against sun damage. Plumping, with 1.2% hyaluronic acid plus niacinamide, smooths and firms. Hydration, with 1.0% panthenol, supports dry or sensitive skin and the skin barrier. Radiance (sometimes labeled “activates radiance”), with 1.4% ascorbyl glucoside, a gentle, stable vitamin C derivative, focuses on brightening.
Again, none of these are bad. They just aren’t good enough to replace a number of other, often more affordable finds I’d discovered since moving here.
For what it’s worth, every formula mentioned here, Ultra Fluid and Ultra Serum alike, is fragrance-free.
Eucerin
It’s shocking how extensive the Eucerin brand is in Europe. And it’s full of excellent skincare formulas. Their sunscreens are also quite impressive. In Spain, there are 14 formula variants of SPF for the face. I skipped over the many popular ones and picked up a couple of more intriguing launches from this year.
While I’m not crazy about serum-style droppers as my SPF applicator, I am really enjoying the Ultra-Light UV Serum SPF 50 for oil control. Granted, this is a serum, but the milky texture also feels quite hydrating. I found this one to work best for me on really hot days when I simply used a face mist and a hyaluronic serum underneath. Then a layer of this beauty.
The Hyaluron Filler + Elasticity FPS 30 is one of my best discoveries. It’s labeled as a cream, but has the consistency of a water-forward lotion. It absorbs beautifully and definitely feels firming on the skin. The UV protection matrix runs on five filters: avobenzone, ethylhexyl salicylate (octisalate), bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), ethylhexyl triazone (Uvinul T 150), and ensulizole. One difference worth flagging if you’re fragrance-sensitive: unlike the oil-control serum, this one lists fragrance as its last ingredient.
I will say that my Jones Road tinted moisturizer layers very well over either of these Eucerin formulas. That’s for when I want a tad more polish to my look, because going out in Madrid is a project.
CeraVe
I don’t hide my lack of enthusiasm when it comes to CeraVe skincare. But I’m completely hooked on one of their sunscreens. CeraVe offers four sunscreens here: two for face and body (one SPF 30, one SPF 50) and two face-only formulas. The facial sunscreens are both SPF 50, with one labeled hydrating and the other oil control. All are among the most affordable options in local pharmacies.
The CeraVe Invisible Hydrating Fluid Sunscreen SPF 50 is fantastic. Packaged in the same bottle with a squeeze tip as LRP UVAir and Vichy Aqua, it’s slim, portable, and beyond user-friendly. It runs on a six-filter EU cocktail and offers the signature barrier-repair touch the L’Oréal-owned brand is best known for.
It’s basically the full modern EU sunscreen toolkit in one bottle: Tinosorb S, Tinosorb M, Uvinul A Plus, avobenzone, and ensulizole, about as comprehensive a UVA/UVB spread as European filter chemistry currently offers. The base isn’t just a sunscreen base, either. Ceramide NP, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, cholesterol, and phytosphingosine, the classic barrier-lipid lineup, plus niacinamide on top. No wonder this is the one CeraVe product that got me.
I went looking for a US equivalent, hoping to run the same comparison I did for UVAir. There isn’t one. Whatever got me hooked here, none of it crosses the ocean.
Bioderma
The brand behind the most iconic micellar water offers a staggering number of skin-type-specific formulas in Europe. Including sunscreen, of which there are over 20 to choose from. My favorite, and one I’ve repurchased, is the Bioderma Photoderm XDefense Ultra-Fluid SPF 50+ Invisible. Why do I love it? It’s a basic, but mastered.
Four filters do the work here: Tinosorb S, avobenzone, Uvinul A Plus, and SolaStay S1. That last one’s job is keeping avobenzone stable, not just blocking rays.
Very fluid, almost runny, it absorbs instantly, has a pleasant (and faint) scent, dries down matte, and offers superb UV protection. Did I mention it’s also very affordable? I’ve been getting it for under 15 euros a bottle on sale.
Lancaster
My go-to brand for body SPF, Lancaster used to be available Stateside years ago. It’s still a duty-free must-buy for old school skincare aficionados. With that said, their sunscreens have been a hit or miss for me. The Sun Perfect AIR SPF 50 Daily Invisible Fluids intrigued me enough to keep trying, though.
Of the four available formulas, I bought two. My more favored one is for “Pores & Imperfections.” The other one I am enjoying is “24H Hydration.” I skipped the “Glow Booster” variant, fearing that European glow is often too sparkly for me. The last one is labeled “Sensitive,” which interested me the least. I do appreciate the options, however.
Three of the four Daily Invisible Fluid formulas, Pores & Imperfections, Glow Booster, and 24H Hydration, share the same four UV filters: Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), Avobenzone, Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), and Iscotrizinol (Uvasorb HEB). The Sensitive formula breaks from that system entirely and runs on Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide instead, no chemical filters at all. Except it’s mineral part time: Butyloctyl Salicylate shows up further down the list, the same ingredient I called out in my intro. So even the one Lancaster formula built around “sensitive” and presumably “mineral” skin needs still sneaks in a filter-adjacent chemical.
Each targeted formula also highlights various ingredients to tackle specific issues. Pores & Imperfections adds bamboo stem powder, silica, Zinc PCA, and Saccharomyces Ferment; Glow Booster leans on mica and synthetic fluorphlogopite for shimmer; 24H Hydration adds hyaluronic acid. Worth noting: the three chemical-filter formulas all list Parfum/Fragrance, while Sensitive is fragrance-free.
Lancaster is one of the most dodgy brands I have encountered when I approached them with genuine inquiries, ingredient and distribution related. Every time I asked a question, I was met with hostility, which immediately makes me think they have an issue with transparency.
Truthfully, I probably won’t repurchase these. The ambitious price point hovers near 50 euros for a 40ml bottle, if you’re curious. What I will most likely buy again is the Sun Milk Body SPF 50, which is absolutely superb.
Brands You Know and Love Have Sunscreens You Never Knew Existed: Caudalie, Clarins, Fresh & More
In Europe, where UV filter freedom is incomprehensible to folks back in the US, suncare is almost a separate arm of the skincare market. In most countries, it’s seasonal. In many, it’s a year-round non-negotiable, often the SKU by which you judge the rest of the brand.
It also surprised me at first to see brands I’ve been loving for decades have sunscreens I never knew existed. There’s an entire range of Caudalie SPF formulas for face, body, and face and body: sticks, mists, lotions, creams, bi-phase situations, you name it. And they’re amazing. Clarins has a gorgeous UV Plus Skin Barrier SPF 50+ fluid that is completely invisible on the skin. Fresh has a Kombucha Multi-Defense Sheer UV SPF 50 PA++++ that is also made in France.
All of these formulas use next-gen EU filters that are not FDA-approved.
Not long ago, I covered the French brand Mimétique in a detailed post. And while we’re all very excited you can now order it in the US directly, not through Violet Grey, you won’t be able to try their stunning Everyday 50 invisible face fluid SPF 50.
If you’re familiar with the brand Instytutum, they recently repackaged and brought the line back Stateside with a prominent presence in their Amazon store. Sadly, their Sunscription Dark Spot Defence SPF 50 is not, and will not be, available there anytime soon.
With that said, if you’re a brand loyalist to any of the above, Europe is where you’d be able to find the ancillaries you’ve been dreaming about. I have and use all of the above and can confidently recommend every single one. The only factor to weigh is the price tag. Those vary but usually hover around 50 euros for a bottle (30-50ml).
Niche & Luxury Finds
There aren’t many niche sunscreens in traditional pharmacies. But there are some really well-curated pharmacies that proudly edit their shelves with some of the most sought-after formulas.
Ayuna is well known Stateside as the Spanish luxury darling that impresses with innovation. Their Velo[x] sunscreen is not easy to find, but oh-so-worth the hunt. It’s a gorgeous, tinted lotion that dries down with a stunning satiny finish and adds glow, a hint of color, and mineral UV protection, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide only, no chemical filters involved.
The base itself is a small flex: lemon fruit water in place of plain water, plus a cotton and pomegranate stem cell extract layered in for good measure. The science behind it is almost whimsical, but the high-tech approach Ayuna takes to protecting the skin’s microbiome, leaning on pre- and postbiotic actives instead of the usual antioxidant checklist, is genuinely worth paying attention to.
Twelve Beauty is another find that blew me away since moving to Madrid. Available at very few niche retailers, the Artemisia Power Protection Moisturiser SPF 50+ is the epitome of eco-luxe. It’s another fully mineral formula, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide worked in to keep the finish from turning chalky.
The tint reads as adaptable across a wide range of skin tones, even though there isn’t a scrap of added pigment on the ingredient list, just the natural cast of the minerals themselves. The balm is almost solid in consistency. Soothing and moisturizing, it calms and revives dull skin, leaving it radiant and healthy-looking.
I think of it as my “finishing sunscreen”: I dab it on the way I would makeup and blend it with a brush. The result is impressive. Bonus points for being founded by a Spanish cosmetic chemist, so this one’s local pride runs even deeper than the zip code.
Yes, The Augustinus Bader Sunscreen SPF 50 Is Better In Europe
I was one of the people who actually bought Augustinus Bader’s The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 back in the US. Spoiler alert: I hated it. I actually felt “had” by the brand when I realized the product all over their marketing and social media was a completely different formula. Turns out Augustinus Bader had a different SPF 50 in Europe. A much better one.
While The Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 relies on a 22% mineral load, it still lists butyloctyl salicylate among the ingredients. Sadly, it still left a white cast on my skin and just did not feel elegant. At all. This is coming from a huge fan of a brand who still buys The Rich Cream and The Rich Eye Cream.
Augustinus Bader’s The Sunscreen SPF 50, the European edition, uses a filter combination that is genuinely one of the best available anywhere right now. And since it’s paired with a fluid base rather than a heavy mineral cream, the user experience is also pretty luxurious. Yes, I did buy a bottle while in Spain and absolutely love it. Not sure I’d buy it again (probably not, because the price is borderline prohibitive for an everyday sunscreen), but if you’re working with an unlimited budget or prefer demonstrative brand loyalty, it’s excellent.
The AB SPF 50 EU formula uses DHHB (Uvinul A Plus), Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), and Ensulizole. Stateside, The Mineral SPF 50 goes full mineral with Titanium Dioxide at 9.102% and Zinc Oxide at 13.175%, but, as mentioned earlier, includes butyloctyl salicylate. Draw your own conclusions.
Drugstore-Level Gems
In addition to the ubiquitous European pharmacies, regular old supermarkets are also a good place to find a very good sunscreen. For less, too. You’d be surprised how many facial sunscreens Nivea makes. And they’re really great. Especially those that use Thiamidol in addition to all the UV filters. This proprietary brightening compound comes backed by some really impressive studies. Be aware that many of those are a bit heavy on alcohol, which doesn’t necessarily make them drying. They’re just super quick to absorb, but have a definite boozy note in the opening.
One of my most inconspicuous finds is the L’Oréal Revitalift Hyaluron Aqua-Fluid SPF 30 in a purple pod. It’s hydrating, with a silky dry-down that feels great on the skin. If I dab on some tinted moisturizer or bronzer over it, it provides an excellent base.
Reapplication-Friendly Sunscreens: Mists & Sticks
European pharmacies are also a great destination for travel-friendly sunscreen formats like sticks. You will be impressed with the variety of solid options. Caudalie and La Roche-Posay are ever-present at most checkout counters. ISDIN is also known for their SPF sticks.
If your muscle memory is to reapply sunscreen throughout the day, I’m impressed. And a bit envious. While my daily SPF habit is firm and steady, the “reapply every two hours” rule is one I don’t necessarily adhere to. I did find that the ISDIN Facial Mist SPF 50 that launched over the summer is excellent in both coverage and finish. The former being solid, the latter traceless.
One medium I actually never see in Spain is brush-on sunscreens. I know ISDIN used to have one, but either the novelty wore off or the liquid format is much more elegant with the gamut of UV filters available here.
Yes, K-Beauty Sunscreens Are Here (All of Them)
I’m going to say this is relatively new. Over the last couple of years, it seems that Korean brands’ presence in European pharmacies grew exponentially. Some pharmacies have even dedicated whole sections (the one by us has five full wall units) to the most popular K-beauty brands.
If you have not read my comparison of the Beauty of Joseon sunscreens, you should. These are simply fantastic, and both are readily available in many pharmacies or specialty beauty stores. I also picked up the CosRx Ultra-Light Invisible Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++ around the corner and would recommend it highly, especially to those with combination-to-oily skin types. Another winner is the Dr. Althea Green Tea Fresh Sunscreen SPF 50 PA++++, which is rather ubiquitous in most places that stock viral K-beauty formulas.
What’s nice about these Korean sunscreens being so readily available in Europe is knowing that you’re not taking a chance on Amazon from a seller that may or may not be dealing in counterfeit products. And no weeks-long shipping window.
Made in Poland (Just Like Me)
I cannot neglect my home country. Especially after being quoted alongside some amazing industry experts like Joanna Czech in the recent NewBeauty piece right here. Since I spent some time in Poland over the last year, I did manage to pick up a few things while there.
One of the Polish sunscreens I picked up is from Iwostin. It’s labeled as an ultralight, invisible fluid SPF 50+. And it’s fine. Nothing amazing. It’s proof that you can use next-gen EU filters, but the user experience won’t always come across as uniformly impressive. I wouldn’t go out of my way to find it.
What’s intriguing is that Poland has become a hub for others to make their sunscreens. At a local Rossmann (that’s a German drugstore that is super popular in Poland), I grabbed a Hada Labo Hyalu Renew SPF 50 cream because I have great memories of using this affordable Japanese brand years ago. Again, the product is pretty good, but nothing extraordinary. What made me pause was seeing “Made in Poland” on the label.
Same goes for the Nivea and Eucerin products I mentioned earlier. Turns out it’s not a coincidence: Beiersdorf, the German company behind both brands, just poured 300 million euros into doubling their production capacity in Poznań. So of course everything Nivea and Eucerin is labeled “Made in Poland.” Go Poland, I guess!
Sunscreens That Surprised Me: SVR & Rilastil
Every pharmacy visit presents new opportunities for SPF discoveries in Madrid. One of these is from SVR. I spotted their new Sun Secure Aqua Fluide SPF 50+ a few months ago and was immediately intrigued. Yes, it’s a fluid, but it’s so runny it almost feels like a toner. Traceless upon application and super easy to use. Four filters do the work here: DHHB (Uvinul A Plus), Ethylhexyl Triazone (Uvinul T 150), Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), and Iscotrizinol (Uvasorb HEB), the same EU-only combination showing up across several brands in this post. Other than their cleansers, SVR has been a bit of a miss for me, so I’m glad I gave this one a chance.
Rilastil is an Italian brand that I’m actually quite familiar with. Over the years, I’d always try something while visiting my best friend in Turin. Their Multirepair Retinol Tech Serum is superb. I also find their salicylic acid toner to be mind-blowingly good. But every time I tried their tinted sunscreen (I’m forever gravitating to tinted moisturizers for absolutely no reason), I found it too matte and almost chalky.
Well, the Derma Protect SPF 50 is clear, borderline weightless, has a light scent, and wears spectacularly well. Five filters are doing the work: Bemotrizinol (Tinosorb S), Avobenzone, Ethylhexyl Salicylate (Octisalate), Ensulizole, and Disodium Phenyl Dibenzimidazole Tetrasulfonate (Neo Heliopan AP), an EU-only UVA filter that hasn’t come up elsewhere in this post. And while the brand’s roots hail from Milano, this one is actually “Made in Spain,” and for good reason: Rilastil developed the Derma Protect line specifically for Spain’s sun conditions, not just its factory floor.
The One Brand I Gave Up On
Don’t come at me, but I have tried countless Heliocare sunscreens from Cantabria Labs and every single one has been more disappointing than the next. It wasn’t until a few of you chimed in on my IG story responses that I had to admit they are simply not good. It’s too bad because the brand has a wide range of options. Very mediocre options, unfortunately.
Moral Of The Story
The most important part about sunscreen is wearing one diligently. Today’s beauty market offers countless options that cater to every skin type, texture, finish, and ingredient preference. They just happen to be more advanced and more cosmetically elegant in Europe and Asia. I really believe that the most effective SPF is the one you look forward to using. Every. Single. Day.
This post took months of testing, hours of writing, and covers a fraction of what’s available. But I wanted to zoom in on some of the most popular formulas as well as some special finds, since I love to curate and all…
And I want to emphasize that absolutely nobody needs to pay more than 20 bucks for an effective formula. But if your tastes tend to be particular, then yes, you should treat yourself to the brand or formula that you feel is “the one,” the one you embrace, use, and recommend to others.
Your future skin is being written right now, one application at a time. I hope this post gets you closer to the formula you’ll actually stick with.
Where To Find These If You’re Not Traveling To Europe…
First and foremost, check Cult Beauty and LookFantastic. Both ship to the US and carry a solid range of the brands mentioned here, La Roche-Posay and Lancaster included, so they’re a great starting point if you want to browse one site and actually check out. Another place you may want to look at is Face The Future.
From there, Care to Beauty and Perfume’s Club are worth bookmarking too. Both specialize in European pharmacy brands, and Care to Beauty in particular ships from a US warehouse with duties and taxes already included, so there’s no surprise bill waiting at your door.
If you’re in New York, skip the algorithm entirely and go see some of these in person at New London Pharmacy in Chelsea. It’s one of the few places stateside where you can actually smell and swatch a real wall of French and Spanish pharmacy brands instead of guessing from a product photo. Follow them at @newlondonnyc for restocks, or call ahead at (212) 243-4987 to check what’s in.
Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I only recommend products I actually use and love. If you shop through these links, I may earn a small commission, which helps keep this site running.
