When Was Sunscreen First Sold in the US? The Surprising 1928 Origin Story (and Why That Early Formula Would Give Today’s Dermatologists Nightmares)

May 19, 2026

Why This History Matters More Than Ever

The question when was sunscreen first sold in the us isn’t just trivia—it’s the foundation for understanding why we still grapple with SPF confusion, mineral vs. chemical debates, and inconsistent labeling today. In an era where skin cancer rates have risen 40% since 2000 (per the American Academy of Dermatology), and where TikTok trends push 'sunscreen-free' beach hacks, knowing how commercial sun protection began reveals uncomfortable truths: the first U.S. sunscreen wasn’t FDA-reviewed, contained zero UVB/UVA testing standards, and was marketed not as medical prevention—but as a tanning aid. That legacy still echoes in consumer behavior, regulatory lag, and even dermatologist office conversations.

The 1928 Breakthrough: Coppertone’s Forgotten Predecessor

Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen didn’t debut during World War II (a myth we’ll debunk later). The first commercially sold, branded sunscreen in the United States hit pharmacy shelves in 1928, developed by pharmacist Florida-based chemist Benjamin Green—yes, the same man who later co-founded Coppertone in 1944. But his 1928 product, called Sunburn Cream No. 1, was radically different: a thick, petroleum-jelly-based ointment blended with red veterinary iodine and benzyl salicylate. It offered minimal UVB filtering (estimated SPF ~2–3) and zero UVA protection—yet it was aggressively marketed to Florida tourists as ‘the scientific way to tan safely.’

Green sold it through regional drug chains like Walgreen’s (then a Midwest/Florida-focused chain) and independent apothecaries. Crucially, it carried no ingredient list, no expiration date, and no efficacy claims beyond ‘prevents painful peeling.’ As Dr. Vivian Bucay, board-certified dermatologist and historian of cosmetic science, notes: ‘This wasn’t skincare—it was commerce dressed in lab coat imagery. The FDA didn’t regulate cosmetics until 1938, and even then, sunscreens were classified as “drugs” only if they claimed disease prevention—which Green avoided by saying “comfort,” not “cancer prevention.”’

A 1929 Tampa Tribune ad confirms this framing: ‘Sunburn Cream No. 1 lets you bask without blistering—so your tan develops evenly and lasts longer!’ The subtext? Tanning was the goal; protection was merely a side benefit. This mindset persisted for decades—and explains why many Americans still equate sunscreen with ‘blocking color,’ not cellular defense.

From Beach Fad to Medical Necessity: The Regulatory Turning Points

Between 1928 and 1978—the year the FDA finally issued its first sunscreen monograph—the U.S. market saw chaotic innovation, unverified claims, and dangerous ingredients. Here’s how key milestones reshaped availability and credibility:

1938: The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act passes—but excludes cosmetics (including sunscreens) from pre-market safety review. Sunscreen remains legally a ‘cosmetic’ unless it claims to prevent skin cancer.
1944: Benjamin Green rebrands his formula as Coppertone Girl, featuring the now-iconic pigtailed girl with a startled dog pulling down her swimsuit. Sales explode—but SPF labeling remains absent. Ads tout ‘tan development,’ not UV filtration.
1962: Chemist Franz Greiter develops Gletscher Crème in Switzerland (SPF 2), later founding Piz Buin. His research inspires U.S. labs, but American brands resist adopting standardized SPF measurement—citing ‘consumer confusion.’
1972: The FDA begins reviewing sunscreen as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug—but delays final monograph for six years due to industry lobbying and lack of consensus on testing methods.
1978: The FDA publishes its first Sunscreen Drug Products Monograph, establishing SPF testing protocols, required labeling (‘SPF,’ ‘water-resistant’ definitions), and banning ingredients like para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) at >5% concentration after links to allergic reactions.

This 50-year gap—from first sale to federal standardization—meant generations used products with wildly inconsistent protection. A 1975 Consumer Reports test found SPF values varied by up to 300% between labeled and measured performance across brands. That inconsistency still haunts consumers: a 2023 JAMA Dermatology study found 42% of users apply less than half the amount used in SPF testing—rendering even ‘SPF 50’ products functionally SPF 12–15 on real skin.

What Changed After 1978—and What Didn’t

The 1978 monograph was revolutionary—but incomplete. It addressed UVB (sunburn-causing rays) while ignoring UVA (aging, cancer-linked rays). Not until 1999 did the FDA propose broad-spectrum testing, and not until 2011 did ‘Broad Spectrum’ labeling become mandatory for products passing both UVA and UVB tests. Even today, ‘broad spectrum’ doesn’t mean equal protection: many SPF 50+ sunscreens block only 20–30% of UVA rays despite blocking 98% of UVB.

Meanwhile, formulation evolved dramatically:

1950s–60s: Oily, greasy formulas with PABA caused stinging eyes and yellowed clothing—leading to widespread avoidance.
1980s: ‘PABA-free’ became a major selling point; avobenzone emerged as the first stable UVA filter (though it degraded rapidly without stabilizers like octocrylene).
2000s: Nanoparticle zinc oxide and titanium dioxide enabled transparent mineral sunscreens—ending the ‘ghost face’ barrier.
2021–2023: FDA proposed banning 12 chemical filters (including oxybenzone and octinoxate) due to systemic absorption and coral reef toxicity—still pending final rulemaking.

This timeline underscores a critical truth: regulatory progress lags behind both science and consumer need. As Dr. Zoe Draelos, cosmetic dermatologist and editor-in-chief of Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, states: ‘We’ve had safe, effective mineral filters since the 1940s—but adoption was slow because they weren’t ‘sexy.’ Marketing drove chemistry, not medicine.’

How Early History Shapes Your Daily Routine—Right Now

Your morning sunscreen habit is built on decisions made in 1928, 1978, and 2011—not just clinical evidence. Consider these real-world implications:

Reapplication myths: Early sunscreens degraded in minutes. Modern chemical filters still break down under UV exposure—but most users skip reapplication because ‘SPF 50 lasts all day’ messaging echoes 1940s advertising, not photostability data.
Mineral vs. chemical divide: Zinc oxide was used in ancient Greece and Rome—but wasn’t viable for daily wear until nano-sizing in the 2000s. Today’s ‘clean beauty’ demand for mineral options is less about new science and more about reclaiming a safer, older technology.
The ‘tanning is healthy’ hangover: 72% of Gen Z respondents in a 2022 Skin Cancer Foundation survey believed ‘a base tan protects you.’ That belief traces directly to 1928–1950s marketing that framed sun exposure as vital for ‘vitamin D’ and ‘vigor.’

So what should you do? Not abandon sunscreen—but upgrade your literacy. A 2023 study in British Journal of Dermatology showed users who understood how SPF is measured (i.e., time-to-burn under controlled UV lamps, not ‘hours of protection’) applied 2.3x more product and reapplied 3.7x more often. Knowledge isn’t just power—it’s literal skin protection.

Year	Milestone	Impact on Consumers	Regulatory Status
1928	First U.S. commercial sunscreen: Sunburn Cream No. 1	No SPF rating; marketed for tanning, not cancer prevention; petroleum + iodine base caused staining and irritation	Unregulated cosmetic; no FDA oversight
1944	Coppertone launches with iconic branding	Mass-market adoption begins; reinforced tanning-as-desirable narrative; SPF still unlabeled	Still unregulated; classified as cosmetic
1978	FDA issues first Sunscreen Monograph	SPF labeling required; banned high-concentration PABA; defined ‘water-resistant’ (40/80 min)	First OTC drug monograph for sunscreens
2011	FDA mandates ‘Broad Spectrum’ testing & labeling	Consumers could finally identify UVA protection; spurred reformulation of 70% of top-selling chemical sunscreens	Updated monograph; UVA testing added
2023	FDA proposes ban on 12 chemical filters (e.g., oxybenzone)	Drives surge in mineral and ‘reef-safe’ formulations; increases price volatility and ingredient transparency demands	Pending final rule; industry comment period extended

Frequently Asked Questions

Was sunscreen used by soldiers in WWII?

No—this is a persistent myth. While the U.S. military distributed grease-based skin protectants (like petroleum jelly mixed with quinine) to troops in the Pacific, these were not sunscreens. They lacked UV-filtering chemistry and were intended to prevent chafing and insect bites. The first military-issued, FDA-recognized sunscreen was in 1953 for Antarctic researchers—not combat zones.

Did ancient civilizations use sun protection?

Yes—but not ‘sunscreen’ as we define it. Ancient Egyptians used rice bran extract (which contains ferulic acid, a mild UV absorber), Greeks applied olive oil (minimal UVB reflection), and Australian Aboriginal peoples used clay and charcoal pastes. None were tested for SPF or regulated—but they reveal humanity’s long awareness of sun damage. Modern sunscreen is unique in its standardized, reproducible, pharmacologically active formulation.

Why don’t all sunscreens say ‘broad spectrum’?

Because they fail the FDA’s Critical Wavelength Test: a product must block ≥90% of UV rays up to 370 nm to earn ‘Broad Spectrum’ status. Many high-SPF chemical sunscreens pass UVB tests easily but collapse in UVA protection. If your sunscreen lacks this label, assume it offers no meaningful UVA defense—increasing risk of photoaging and melanoma despite preventing sunburn.

Is higher SPF always better?

No—diminishing returns set in sharply above SPF 50. SPF 30 blocks ~97% of UVB; SPF 50 blocks ~98%; SPF 100 blocks ~99%. Meanwhile, higher SPF formulas often contain more chemical filters, increasing allergy risk and environmental impact. Dermatologists recommend SPF 30–50 applied generously and reapplied every 2 hours—not SPF 100 applied once.

Are ‘natural’ sunscreens safer?

Not inherently. ‘Natural’ isn’t a regulated term. Some mineral sunscreens use non-nano zinc oxide (safer for reefs, less skin penetration) but others use nano-particles with unclear long-term inhalation risks (especially in sprays). Conversely, some ‘chemical’ filters like mexoryl SX have 20+ years of safety data. Look for third-party certifications (EWG Verified, Think Dirty, COSMOS) rather than marketing terms.

Common Myths

Myth 1: ‘Sunscreen wasn’t invented until the 1940s.’
False. While Coppertone launched in 1944, Benjamin Green’s 1928 Sunburn Cream No. 1 predates it by 16 years—and was sold nationally via drugstore chains. Archival records from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History confirm distribution across 12 states by 1930.

Myth 2: ‘SPF measures how long you can stay in the sun.’
Misleading. SPF measures UVB radiation dose reduction, not time. If you burn in 10 minutes unprotected, SPF 30 means it would take ~300 minutes to burn under identical UV intensity—but UV intensity changes hourly, clouds scatter UV, and sweating/toweling removes product. Time-based assumptions cause dangerous under-application.

Your Next Step Starts With One Bottle—and One Truth

Knowing when was sunscreen first sold in the us isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about recognizing that sun protection has always been a negotiation between science, commerce, and culture. The 1928 formula prioritized tanning; the 1978 rules prioritized burn prevention; today’s choices must prioritize long-term skin integrity. So skip the ‘SPF 100’ hype. Skip the ‘waterproof’ myth. Instead: choose a broad-spectrum SPF 30–50 mineral or stabilized chemical formula, apply 1/4 teaspoon for your face (yes, really), reapply after swimming or sweating—and remember that the most powerful sunscreen isn’t in your cabinet. It’s the habit you build, informed by history, grounded in evidence, and practiced daily. Ready to audit your current sunscreen? Download our free Sunscreen Ingredient Decoder Checklist—it breaks down every filter, preservative, and claim using FDA, EWG, and dermatology sources.