To beat Trump tariff price rise, Americans load up on South Korean sunscreen
Consumers are also stockpiling dried seaweed, hair bundles for wigs, cat food and wedding gowns
The “tariff bomb” unleashed by US President Donald Trump continues to send shock waves across the globe.
As nations scramble to respond, anxiety is also growing within the US itself. Americans concerned about rising prices have begun stockpiling certain imported products – and among the items is South Korean sunscreen.
The Washington Post on Thursday published a list of eight products seeing increased demand in the US, based on trends from social media and online communities. South Korean sunscreen made the list thanks to its ability to meet three criteria: It blocks UV rays, has a pleasant texture and layers well with other make-up and cosmetics.
According to the report, unlike Europe and Asia – where sunscreens are regulated as cosmetics – the United States classifies them as drugs. This restricts the inclusion of skin-tone-enhancing ingredients and limits the number of filters American scientists can use.
As a result, South Korean sunscreens offer a wider range of cosmetic benefits, making them a popular alternative.
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One Reddit user wrote she bought a year’s worth of her favourite South Korean sunscreen. “I truly can’t go back to US sunscreens.”