Why Your Moisturizer Isn’t the Same Everywhere!
“A cream you love in Paris might not exist in New York.”
You’d think a face cream is a face cream, no matter where you buy it. But in skincare, the rules change dramatically depending on where you live. A moisturizer sold in Paris might have different ingredients than one sold in New York. A sunscreen in Toronto may feel silkier than its U.S. equivalent.
Over the past three years, the way countries regulate skincare has shifted. Europe is tightening ingredient lists. Canada is aligning with stricter transparency rules. The U.S. finally updated its 1938 cosmetics law. And the UK, post-Brexit, is figuring out whether to keep pace or carve its own path.
So what does all of this mean for your skincare routine?
America’s Big Catch-Up: MoCRA
In late 2022, the U.S. passed the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA). For skincare brands, it means:
- Factories and products must be registered with the FDA.
- Serious adverse reactions (like hospitalizations) must be reported.
- A rule is coming that will force brands to list certain fragrance allergens.
- New manufacturing standards are on the way.
- It’s a big step forward, but the U.S. still bans fewer than 20 cosmetic ingredients. Europe bans over 1,300.
Europe’s Expanding Labels
In 2023, the EU added dozens of fragrance allergens to mandatory labels. For consumers with sensitive skin, this is good news: ingredient lists will reveal more hidden triggers.
Europe also passed a microplastics ban that reaches beyond scrubs. Many invisible polymers used in gel creams and serums will be phased out by 2027. Textures will change, and some products may disappear altogether.
Canada’s 2026 Deadline
Canada is following Europe’s lead. By April 2026, skincare sold in Canada will also have to list fragrance allergens above certain trace levels.
The government also updates its Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist regularly. In 2024, new restrictions hit talc and chemical exfoliants like AHAs, common in face masks and peels.
The UK’s Balancing Act
The UK kept most EU rules after Brexit. Skincare products still need safety reports and registration. But the UK has not yet signed on to the EU’s new microplastics crackdown, so some scrubs and gels will stay on British shelves while disappearing from the EU market.
The Next Front: PFAS and Acne Treatments
“Expect PFAS-free creams — but also changes in how they feel.”
- PFAS bans: These “forever chemicals,” used in water-resistant sunscreens and barrier creams, are being phased out. Starting in 2025, California and Minnesota will ban PFAS in cosmetics. Europe and Canada are preparing their own restrictions.
- Acne treatments: In 2024, lab tests suggested some benzoyl peroxide products could produce benzene, a carcinogen. The FDA’s follow-up testing in 2025 found most were safe, but a handful were recalled. Dermatologists still recommend benzoyl peroxide, but consumers are understandably wary.
What This Means for You
- Labels will get longer in Europe and Canada. The U.S. will follow when FDA rules finalize.
- Textures will change as microplastics disappear from EU skincare.
- PFAS-free will rise starting in 2025, but some water-resistant products may feel different.
- Acne products remain safe overall, but recalls highlight the need for quality control.
- Sunscreens differ by region, but the best one is the one you’ll actually use daily.
The Top 7 Sustainable Skincare Products
Investigating the global rules is one side of the story. The other is action: which products can you trust today? These seven are certified, transparent, and verifiably microplastics-free.
1. Weleda Skin Food (US/EU)
Certifications: NATRUE, Zero Plastic Inside, B Corp, UEBT
A cult classic cream that proves accessibility doesn’t have to come at the planet’s expense.
2. Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream (US/EU)
Certifications: NATRUE Certified, cruelty-free
A biodynamic pioneer with over 50 years of trust, free from both solid and liquid plastics.
3. Ethique Deep Green Face Cleanser Bar (US/EU)
Certifications: B Corp, Palm Oil Free Certified, Leaping Bunny
Solid bar format means no plastic bottles, no polymers, and zero-waste packaging.
4. BYBI Bakuchiol Skin Restore (US/EU)
🌐 bybi.com
Certifications: B Corp, Carbon Negative, vegan
A plant-based alternative to retinol, with sustainable packaging that biodegrades without leaving a trace.
5. Tropic Super Greens Nutrient Boost Serum (UK/EU/US online)
Certifications: COSMOS Organic, Vegan Society, CarbonNeutral
Freshly made, COSMOS-certified serum with proven transparency and sustainable farming.
6. Kora Organics Noni Glow Face Oil (US/EU)
Certifications: COSMOS / ECOCERT Organic, cruelty-free
An international bestseller, proof that certified organic and high-performance can coexist.
7. Beauty Kitchen Seahorse Plankton+ Moisturiser (UK/EU)
Certifications: Plastic Free Beauty Product, B Corp, cruelty-free
Innovative UK brand with ocean-saving microalgae actives and verified plastic-free credentials.
