What is the name of a sunscreen/sunbblock that begins with mex which
is used widely outside of the US but not in the US because it has not
been FDA approved. It is almost a 100% block.

Hi gclipner,

 The ingredient to which you are referring is Mexoryl SX, a camphor
derivative. Although studies show that this is a very effective
sunscreen, one which is very photostable, the FDA has not yet given
it?s approval. Mexoryl SX has been patented by L?Oreal, and is sold in
numerous countries, but not in the US, as of yet.
?Mexoryl SX is one of the few sure and stable UVA sun filters. It
provides long-lasting, effective protection due to the virtually
impervious nature of the molecule to the action of solar energy. In
the key field of sun-protection research, Mexoryl SX has been patented
by L'Oréal, and has been used in the Group's sunscreen formulations in
Europe since 1993. Research activities are underway to develop
products that can be introduced to the US market.?
http://www.lorealusa.com/research/mexoryl.aspx

?Anthelios (a Mexoryl-containing sunscreen not available in the US)
offered the most protection against a broad range of UVA.[15] In
another study, it was determined that patients simply do not apply
enough sunscreen.[16] So even though certain sunscreens offer better
UVA protection than do others, if these sunscreens are not applied
properly, it may not matter.?
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/431185


Submitted June 21, 2001 to the FDA, mexoryl should be approved soon!
http://www.fda.gov/cder/dmf/text/1Q2004TYPE2TEXT.txt

A study, conducted by L?Oreal states ?This study demonstrates that,
under realistic exposure conditions, the human systemic exposure to
this UVA filter is negligible and poses no risk to human health?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=14528058&dopt=Abstract

Here?s what the Australian Government says about mexoryl:
http://www.nicnas.gov.au/PUBLICATIONS/CAR/NEW/NA/NASUMMR/NA0300SR/na399.htm



You?ll have to join to read the full article, but here is an excerpt
from an article from the University of British Colombia, Feb. 2000
?MONTREAL - Sunscreens containing Mexoryl SX provide the best protection
against UVA radiation, according to two new studies from the University
of Montreal.
"Mexoryl SX is the only sunscreen product which protects against mid-
wave UVA," explained Dr. Robert Bissonnette, assistant research professor
in the division of dermatology and principal author of the studies,
sponsored by L'Orčal.
Mid-range UVA
"The classical UVA sunscreens only protect against short-wave UVA,
and Parsol 1789 is effective against long-wave UVA, but the advantage
of Mexoryl SX is that it is active against mid-range UVA, which is
a region of the spectrum where protection has not been good,"
http://static.highbeam.com/m/medicalpost/february092000/uofbcdermatologyupdatemexorylsxaidssunscreenprotec/index.html

A sunscreen weblog discusses mexoryl:
http://jenniferbahney.longhairlovers.com/read/151516.htm

You can see a list of sunscreen  protection wavebands on Table 1, and
a comparison chart of suncscreens available in North America, on Table
2. http://www.dermatology.org/skintherapy/stl0205.html


Sunscreens with mexoryl  can be purchased on this Canadian site:
http://www.feelbest.com/anthelios.cfm




As an alternate, this sunscren is a 100% sunblock, available in the US. 
?ALL NATURAL MINERAL SUNSCREEN is a TOTAL block against the sun and
sun aging. Use anytime in the sun on face, neck, ears and back of
hands. Adds moisture to the skin while softening it. Keep one at home
and one in the car. This product has no rating number because it is a
total block with the Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide?
http://www.oleda.com/shop/index.cfm?sku=23NM&task=8


Hope this helps! If any part of my answer is unclear, please request
an Answer Clarification, before rating. This will allow me to assist
you further, if possible.

Regards,
crabcakes

Search Terms
sunscreen  100% -security -software
Mexoryl SX banned in US

That is it and thank you very much.

I'm glad I was able to help! Thank you for the rating and the nice tip!
Regards,crabcakes

What is the difference between Mexoryl SX and Mexoryl LX?  I'm finding
sunscreen products with Mexoryl LX, and am wondering if they are as
effective.

Thanks!

GClipner -- And Crabcakes / / /

Mitcham, Do you mean Mexoryl XL?   I've been using ANTHELIOS 60+ XL 
ever since I read about
it in Vogue a few years ago.

Yes, you can get the SX version in Canada.  And the "L" version.  But
don't let them tell you
that "it's the same" as "XL."  It is not.  Neither are as strong as
the XL.  I'm not capable of presenting
the technical jargon, but as it was explained to me, Mexoryl XL is the
best you can do to kill the UVA and UVB rays.  It's the UVA ones that
make you look old.   There are so many versions of Anthelios, that
people get all confused.   If you want the MOST sunblock, the most
protection, the highest protection, the broadest protection -- you
want Mexoryl XL.

But because it hasn't been approved by the FDA yet --it's a pain to
find it.  You can buy it easily
in Europe.   And you can buy it on eBay, (from European vendors).  I
have bought it in the past from
a website called beautycentre.co.uk, which is some legal thing for Andorra, Spain.
After shipping, etc., it ends up costing about $25.00 a 100 ml tube. 
But they're slow, their
English is weak and if you order 5 tubes --as my sister-in-law did --
you sometimes get it
intercepted by U.S. Customs, who think you're going to sell it -- and
it's a big hassle getting them to release it.

You can get it for about twice the European price at
http://www.zitomer.com, which is a pharmacy
in NYC.  I don't know how they're allowed to sell it, but they do.  
After the Vogue article came
out and metnioned Zitomer by name, suddenly they took it off their
website.  Maybe the govt.
got on their case.   I dunno.   For a long time it wasn't there . .
.but now it's back.

I SWEAR by the Anthelios XL.   I have very fair skin and  use it on my
face when I go skiing.
After after a full day at high altitude with all those rays reflecting off
the white snow. . .everyone else is sunburned.  I don't even tan a drop.  

I just wish there were an easier and cheaper way to get it.