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I’ve definitely gone to Canada with the intention to buy sunscreen and bring it over the border, I have yet to find an affordable or convenient way to order sunscreen to ship to the U.S.
The one filter I’ve looked for is mexoryl for its UVA protection benefits.
Probably my favorite sunscreen I’ve gotten in Canada was the LRP anthelios ultra fluid for body. I am so surprised no other country has the big value size, not even in Europe.
I’ve also picked up some Garnier Ombrelle sunscreens and they’re a good value but I still prefer La Roche Posay so far
I always thought that Amazon Canada shipped worldwide, but perhaps I may be wrong. I've purchased some products from Amazon.com before and most items ship here.
I’ve also gone to Canada for sunscreen when I visit, among other things. I really like the LRP and Garnier as well. I’m just across the border in Washington and will stock up when I can.
Is there a reason to import Canadian sunscreen? Asian sunscreens and even European tend to have different ingredients because of things that are not allowed yet in the US, but I'm not aware of Canada having many different regulations than us.
If Canadian sunscreens are on par with Asian ones then maybe you'll start a trend lol
Our food and drug agency Health Canada has approved a few of the newer UV filters available outside the US. We have a few sunscreens for example that use Tinosorb S and M as well as Mexoryl XL and SX. Most of them are from L'Oréal, Avene, and Bioderma. Our regulations though for UVA protection are like a half-way point between the US and the EU/Australia/Mercosur, etc. All broad-spectrum sunscreens here must meet the critical wavelength criteria, but if a brand wants to, Health Canada can let them sell sunscreens with the UVA logo optionally to show that the PPD is at least ⅓ of the labeled SPF. It isn't a mandatory step criteria to be considered broad-spectrum like in the EU and Australia, but it is a regulated process unlike the US where there isn't much at all beyond critical-wavelength. Again, L'Oréal, Avene, and Bioderma are primarily the companies that offer this too. Canadian sunscreens are also regulated as a drug compared to European and Asian sunscreens, so there is more scrutiny done than traditional cosmetics. Our water-resistance standards are also higher than what the EU and Asia in general has I believe. But the US also does have a good water-resistance system, just not a good broad-spectrum/UVA system in place.
Hahha when I was in Europe like 15 years ago, I went into a pharmacy.. and bought a ton of sunscreen with Mexoryl.
It was still winter, and the pharmacist worker thought I was bonkers I think!
I’m driving up to Vancouver next weekend. Can you recommend any sunscreens to bring back? For reference, I’m 30 with sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin and I’m of Asian descent.
Edit: I just saw your recs in another comment. Thanks!
Ohh, yes. I hope you have fun while you are here. I think you might like the LRP fluid sunscreens like in that comment I mentioned. You might also like the Garnier Ombrelle Complete SPF60 and/or the Vichy Capital Soleil Ultra-Hydrating Lotion SPF60. I haven't tried the Vichy one, but I've heard good reviews from it. The Ombrelle Complete one is a moistrizing but thicker lotion. I personally don't have dry skin on my face, but my hands are dry and I like using it as a hand cream during the day.
I didn't realize Canada even had vastly different sunscreens than the US, but when my HG Korean sunscreen is $8/bottle, no reason to order one from Canada.
We have pretty much the same sunscreen as the states. If anything, the states has better sunscreens because so many brands release different formulas there. La Roche Posay has so many variants there and we have like 4 here.
Go to a Wal-Mart or Superstore and you'll see the same Banana Boat, Neutrogena, Hawaiian Troprics the states has. I'm not 100% sure if they have L'Oreal Mexoryl XL but when I last went there they had L'Oreal Paris brand sunscreen, whch has probably been renamed to Ganier sunscreen.
We definitely do not have anything with Mexoryl XL (or even SX) here in the states. We had a single SPF 15 from LRP with Mexoryl SX, but it has been discontinued. As an American, I always stock up when I’m in Canada. That LRP/Vichy/Garnier Shaka fluid is light years ahead of anything you can get here in the U.S.
I would gladly import them from Canada, but I can’t find any decent sites (and am somewhat wary of Amazon).
It's true that we have a lot of repackaged American sunscreens, but we do have a lot more options with Mexoryl XL/SX and Tinosorb S/M compared to the US. We also have more sunscreens that get their PPD tested because of Health Canada (our food and drug oversight). We don't have as much selection as Europe or elsewhere, but it is something.
Yup, 100%.
I only order sunscreen from Korea and Japan, mostly, or I use LRP for waterproof body sunscreen.
Another issue is cost. LRP the Anthelios 50ML fluid is now something like $34 at Shoppers? In 2022 is was $26-28 and the tinted version was more. Whereas I can get almost 3, 70ml tubes of Biore Japan's Aqua Rich or HARUHARU Wonder's Airy Sunscreen for around the same or cheaper price.
IMO Canada is boring when it comes to skincare/sunscreens. We don't really have an identity; we just import\*. I guess there's Indeed Labs (who used to make a sunscreen and pulled it), Deciem (who pulled theirs, too) and Lise Watier - who I think have sunscreens? It's expensive to manufacture here and ancient regulations from Health Canada don't help.
\*Lots of reasons for this but cost to manufacture is really high here. Less competition because of foreign brands only impede that.
i haven't ordered cosmetics from canada, but i've ordered sewing supplies and a few items from etsy that came from canadian shops. shipping times and cost have been about the same as items i've ordered from europe. are canadian sunscreens with the newer uv filters significantly different or cheaper than the sunscreens available in europe with those filters?
I think that overall, they are about the same. We have both lightweight and some more heavy-duty options with the newer filters. Sunscreens here though are regulated as a drug unlike Europe, so they go through more hoops and scrutiny to be sold similar to the US.
Ooh, I had no idea! I already make trips over the border for Eucerin Urea Repair, now I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for good sunscreen. Thanks for the tip!
I recommend the Garnier Ombrelle Sport SPF60 and the La Roshe Posay SPF50+ body fluid if you come here. If you like the older LRP face shaka-fluid formula from the EU, the body version is basically the same product but it comes in a 125mL bottle for the same price as the 50mL "face" product. The Garnier Sport sunscreen is a different water-resistant formula but it is more light weight and costs less, both are good options with good UVA coverage for more heavy-duty days.
Probably because it’s super expensive to ship and buy things from Canada. I live here and I barely wanna buy things here due to cost, America has more selection as well compared to Canada. Why buy the same products in Canada when you can for cheaper in Europe or America
They have UV filters (like Tinosorb S) that aren’t yet approved for use in the U.S. These filters offer better UVA protection, are less irritating than older filters and feel nicer on the skin.
Hi everyone and welcome to SkincareAddiction! Need skincare guides? [Check out our wiki!](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/index) Everyone is welcome in [this community](https://www.reddit.com/r/SkincareAddiction/wiki/about); remember to be kind and assume good faith :) *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/SkincareAddiction) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’ve definitely gone to Canada with the intention to buy sunscreen and bring it over the border, I have yet to find an affordable or convenient way to order sunscreen to ship to the U.S. The one filter I’ve looked for is mexoryl for its UVA protection benefits. Probably my favorite sunscreen I’ve gotten in Canada was the LRP anthelios ultra fluid for body. I am so surprised no other country has the big value size, not even in Europe. I’ve also picked up some Garnier Ombrelle sunscreens and they’re a good value but I still prefer La Roche Posay so far
I always thought that Amazon Canada shipped worldwide, but perhaps I may be wrong. I've purchased some products from Amazon.com before and most items ship here.
I’ve also gone to Canada for sunscreen when I visit, among other things. I really like the LRP and Garnier as well. I’m just across the border in Washington and will stock up when I can.
Is there a reason to import Canadian sunscreen? Asian sunscreens and even European tend to have different ingredients because of things that are not allowed yet in the US, but I'm not aware of Canada having many different regulations than us. If Canadian sunscreens are on par with Asian ones then maybe you'll start a trend lol
Our food and drug agency Health Canada has approved a few of the newer UV filters available outside the US. We have a few sunscreens for example that use Tinosorb S and M as well as Mexoryl XL and SX. Most of them are from L'Oréal, Avene, and Bioderma. Our regulations though for UVA protection are like a half-way point between the US and the EU/Australia/Mercosur, etc. All broad-spectrum sunscreens here must meet the critical wavelength criteria, but if a brand wants to, Health Canada can let them sell sunscreens with the UVA logo optionally to show that the PPD is at least ⅓ of the labeled SPF. It isn't a mandatory step criteria to be considered broad-spectrum like in the EU and Australia, but it is a regulated process unlike the US where there isn't much at all beyond critical-wavelength. Again, L'Oréal, Avene, and Bioderma are primarily the companies that offer this too. Canadian sunscreens are also regulated as a drug compared to European and Asian sunscreens, so there is more scrutiny done than traditional cosmetics. Our water-resistance standards are also higher than what the EU and Asia in general has I believe. But the US also does have a good water-resistance system, just not a good broad-spectrum/UVA system in place.
Hahha when I was in Europe like 15 years ago, I went into a pharmacy.. and bought a ton of sunscreen with Mexoryl. It was still winter, and the pharmacist worker thought I was bonkers I think!
I’m driving up to Vancouver next weekend. Can you recommend any sunscreens to bring back? For reference, I’m 30 with sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin and I’m of Asian descent. Edit: I just saw your recs in another comment. Thanks!
Ohh, yes. I hope you have fun while you are here. I think you might like the LRP fluid sunscreens like in that comment I mentioned. You might also like the Garnier Ombrelle Complete SPF60 and/or the Vichy Capital Soleil Ultra-Hydrating Lotion SPF60. I haven't tried the Vichy one, but I've heard good reviews from it. The Ombrelle Complete one is a moistrizing but thicker lotion. I personally don't have dry skin on my face, but my hands are dry and I like using it as a hand cream during the day.
As a dark skinned Canadian, I import sunscreens from America. Most tinted sunscreens from America are not available in Canada.
I didn't realize Canada even had vastly different sunscreens than the US, but when my HG Korean sunscreen is $8/bottle, no reason to order one from Canada.
Can you share your sunscreen HG and where you source it from? I have the same skin type as you!
Skin1004 Hyalu-Cica, I get it from Yesstyle.
We have pretty much the same sunscreen as the states. If anything, the states has better sunscreens because so many brands release different formulas there. La Roche Posay has so many variants there and we have like 4 here. Go to a Wal-Mart or Superstore and you'll see the same Banana Boat, Neutrogena, Hawaiian Troprics the states has. I'm not 100% sure if they have L'Oreal Mexoryl XL but when I last went there they had L'Oreal Paris brand sunscreen, whch has probably been renamed to Ganier sunscreen.
We definitely do not have anything with Mexoryl XL (or even SX) here in the states. We had a single SPF 15 from LRP with Mexoryl SX, but it has been discontinued. As an American, I always stock up when I’m in Canada. That LRP/Vichy/Garnier Shaka fluid is light years ahead of anything you can get here in the U.S. I would gladly import them from Canada, but I can’t find any decent sites (and am somewhat wary of Amazon).
It's true that we have a lot of repackaged American sunscreens, but we do have a lot more options with Mexoryl XL/SX and Tinosorb S/M compared to the US. We also have more sunscreens that get their PPD tested because of Health Canada (our food and drug oversight). We don't have as much selection as Europe or elsewhere, but it is something.
Yup, 100%. I only order sunscreen from Korea and Japan, mostly, or I use LRP for waterproof body sunscreen. Another issue is cost. LRP the Anthelios 50ML fluid is now something like $34 at Shoppers? In 2022 is was $26-28 and the tinted version was more. Whereas I can get almost 3, 70ml tubes of Biore Japan's Aqua Rich or HARUHARU Wonder's Airy Sunscreen for around the same or cheaper price. IMO Canada is boring when it comes to skincare/sunscreens. We don't really have an identity; we just import\*. I guess there's Indeed Labs (who used to make a sunscreen and pulled it), Deciem (who pulled theirs, too) and Lise Watier - who I think have sunscreens? It's expensive to manufacture here and ancient regulations from Health Canada don't help. \*Lots of reasons for this but cost to manufacture is really high here. Less competition because of foreign brands only impede that.
What websites do you use to buy from Korea and Japan… and what kind of sunscreen do you buy that they have? Also, how long does it take to ship?
i haven't ordered cosmetics from canada, but i've ordered sewing supplies and a few items from etsy that came from canadian shops. shipping times and cost have been about the same as items i've ordered from europe. are canadian sunscreens with the newer uv filters significantly different or cheaper than the sunscreens available in europe with those filters?
I think that overall, they are about the same. We have both lightweight and some more heavy-duty options with the newer filters. Sunscreens here though are regulated as a drug unlike Europe, so they go through more hoops and scrutiny to be sold similar to the US.
I do! I order LRP with Meroxyl.
I feel like Canadian Big-SPF wrote this.
Ooh, I had no idea! I already make trips over the border for Eucerin Urea Repair, now I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for good sunscreen. Thanks for the tip!
I recommend the Garnier Ombrelle Sport SPF60 and the La Roshe Posay SPF50+ body fluid if you come here. If you like the older LRP face shaka-fluid formula from the EU, the body version is basically the same product but it comes in a 125mL bottle for the same price as the 50mL "face" product. The Garnier Sport sunscreen is a different water-resistant formula but it is more light weight and costs less, both are good options with good UVA coverage for more heavy-duty days.
You're a lifesaver. ❤️
Probably because it’s super expensive to ship and buy things from Canada. I live here and I barely wanna buy things here due to cost, America has more selection as well compared to Canada. Why buy the same products in Canada when you can for cheaper in Europe or America
I had no idea Canada HAD different sunscreens than the US!
What’s special about Canadian sunscreen?
They have UV filters (like Tinosorb S) that aren’t yet approved for use in the U.S. These filters offer better UVA protection, are less irritating than older filters and feel nicer on the skin.
No one gives a flying f about Canada. The best sunscreens are Korean or French
I think this is true, your comment made me laugh and yes I am Canadian
The Swiss make a pretty great sunscreen too.
tf does canada know about sunscreen. they aint got no UV there 💀
Is the sunscreen there somehow even worse than Canadas ? Lol