The FDA Just Updated Sunscreen Guidelines for the First Time in Decades

K-Beauty and french pharmacy lovers, rejoice: The FDA just approved bemotrizinol, an active ingredient that has been used in sunscreens produced in Europe and Asia, to be used in over-the-counter sunscreens right here in the United States. This is the first new active ingredient that's been approved for sunscreens produced in the U.S. since the late '90s.

According to the FDA release announcing this news, bemotrizinol provides protection against both ultraviolet A and B rays. Per the CDC, ultraviolet rays are non-iodizing radiation emitted by the sun and other sources (think tanning beds and certain lights and lasers).

Here's why this is so exciting for many beauty enthusiasts: If you've talked to a skincare guru at all, you'll know that the beauty and skincare communities love sunscreens made overseas. Some of us (it's me, I'm some of us) have even gone out of our way to buy sunscreens during overseas travel or order them via sites that ship products from Asia or Europe. The sunscreens produced overseas have always felt more comfortable and cosmetically elegant, according to many skincare lovers.

The value here? When sunscreen feels more pleasant to apply and actually have on your skin, you're way more likely to actually wear it. I know that I've really struggled to find anything that doesn't leave a nasty white cast on my brown skin among the U.S. sunscreens I've tried, but Asian sunscreens always feel like they blend in so much better.

The value of this FDA approval isn't just about improving user experience, though. According to a social media clip from dermatologist Dr. Scott Walter (@denverskindoc), bemotrizinol is extremely photostable, meaning it doesn't break down as quickly in the sun as other sunscreen filters.

Dermatologist Dr. Dray (@drdrayzday) adds that this ingredient tends to be well-tolerated, which means now that it has FDA approval, US manufacturers have the opportunity to create less irritating sunscreen formulas. And as a sensitive-skinned girlie who has always had a tough time finding sunscreens that are readily available, cosmetically elegant, and non-irritating? This has me feeling very excited for what's to come.

Obviously, it's going to take some time for these formulas to hit the shelves. In the meantime, I'll be working my way through the K-beauty product I managed to score.