Why You Should Care About the Biggest Sunscreen News in Decades

If you’ve ever returned from a trip to Europe or South Korea wondering why their sunscreens feel lighter, less greasy and somehow more elegant than the ones at home, you’re not imagining things. After more than two decades without approving a new sunscreen filter, the FDA is finally expanding Americans’ sunscreen options—and dermatologists, cosmetic chemists and beauty editors alike are celebrating.

In December 2025, the FDA proposed adding bemotrizinol (also known as BEMT) to the list of approved over-the-counter sunscreen ingredients. If finalized, it would become the first new sunscreen filter approved in the United States since 1999. So why is everyone so excited about one ingredient?

Already widely used throughout Europe, Asia and Australia, BEMT is a broad-spectrum UV filter that helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. In its review, the FDA found that the ingredient offers strong protection, has low absorption into the body and rarely causes skin irritation. That’s particularly important because UVA rays (which we know contributes to premature aging and can play a role in skin cancer development) have long been an area where many international sunscreens outperform their American counterparts.

Unlike many countries, the United States regulates sunscreen as an over-the-counter drug, which means new ingredients face a lengthy approval process. As a result, American formulators have had access to far fewer UV filters than their counterparts in Europe and Asia. Sadly, those featherlight sunscreens you picked up in Paris or Tokyo often aren’t available stateside.

No, you don’t need to toss your current sunscreen. Dermatologists stress that the SPF products already on shelves remain safe and effective when used correctly. The bigger story is that consumers may soon have access to MORE innovative formulas that feel better on the skin and offer enhanced broad-spectrum protection. 

And if history has taught us anything, it’s that people are more likely to wear sunscreen consistently when they actually enjoy using it. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 29 percent of women and 12 percent of men in the U.S. currently use sunscreen daily. Some people avoid it because it feels greasy; others say it leaves a white or gray cast on the skin. Yikes!

The FDA’s move may sound like a niche regulatory update, but it could ultimately usher in a new era of sunscreen innovation in the U.S. After more than 20 years of waiting, Americans may finally get access to the types of advanced sunscreen formulas beauty enthusiasts have been bringing home in their suitcases for years.  Because at the end of the day, the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear, and reapply.

The FDA’s approval of bemotrizinol is exciting news for the future of SPF, but you don’t need to wait for new formulas to hit shelves. These are the sunscreens we currently recommend and use ourselves.