Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Throws Shade at the FDA

Sometimes, politics brings together unlikely allies. Such was the case last week when hyper-progressive Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) talked about American sunblock on her very popular Twitter page. In the video post, she appeared alongside Charlotte Palermino (beauty brand owner and licensed esthetician) discussing why sunblock in the United States is far inferior to those sold around the world.

Despite Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s leftist bona fides, the video drew agreement from many free-market conservatives and libertarians. Cato Institute VP and free trade warrior Scott Lincicome opined, “Representative AOC is correct.” Conservative Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) thanked her for raising the issue and suggested working to update the laws surrounding the issue. Dan McLaughlin of the National Review chimed in, “This is a much better way to think about overregulation, markets, and consumer needs.”

In the video, Ocasio-Cortez and Palermino discuss how the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) currently regulates sunblock as a drug – the way it would prescription medication. Most of the rest of the world, however, regulates sunscreen as a cosmetic. Thus, as Ocasio-Cortez notes in the video, sunscreen in the U.S. requires far more clinical trials, testing, and scientific research before it can even come to market.

This might lead some to the conclusion that this arduous process might make U.S. sunscreens better because they’ve undergone this rigorous testing. However, as with most consumer products, this is simply not the case. The bureaucratic costs associated with this serve as a deterrent to bringing new products to market. For reference, Palermino notes the last time the U.S. approved a new sunscreen filter (the active ingredient that absorbs UV rays in sunblock) was 1999.

While America has higher scientific standards, Europe has higher protection standards. It is easier to get to market in Europe and the products have to be better. In a study by Sloan-Kettering, it was found that only 55 percent of American sunscreens actually meet the protection standards in Europe. This means America currently has a slower, more costly process to bring subpar sun protection to market. This is unacceptable.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez urged members of Congress to bring attention to this issue and to break through some of the regulatory barriers at the FDA. Aligning America with the rest of the world and regulating sunscreen as a cosmetic – rather than a drug – would be a clear first step. De-regulating further from there is a logical next step, making it easier and less costly to come to market and leaving room for companies to innovate.

Another step – alluded to in the video, but never outright endorsed – is the ability to import foreign sunscreens. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez mentioned that she loves Korean sunscreens, but wants to be able to buy them in America. She does note she’d rather have them made in America rather than having to import them. However, the ability to import sunscreens from developed nations is a worthwhile one. Free trade makes so many high quality goods accessible across the globe, regardless of available resources or regulatory regimes. There’s no reason the same cannot be true for sunscreen.

There already seems to be clear and bipartisan support for action on this issue. Given recent heat trends in America, it would seem like a slam dunk opportunity to develop, debate, and pass a slam dunk reform to the way America regulates sunscreen. This would be a clear victory for consumers the whole nation over.

Dan Savickas is Director of Policy at Taxpayers Protection Alliance.