We all know that applying sunscreen every day is a must, but our government doesn’t make it easy to find one we want to wear daily. Since sunscreen is regulated like a drug by the FDA (instead of as a cosmetic like in other countries), it’s difficult to get modern filters approved, which can be more comfortable and effective than the ones we’re used to.

“There was some chatter that new filters might get approved by the end of 2025, but with everything happening with government agencies, that timeline has been thrown into question,” says Michelle Lee , a beauty-industry adviser and former editor-in-chief of Allure . That’s why you hear that countries like South Korea have superior SPF formulas — they’re allowed to use newer, more lightweight filters like bemotrizinol and bisoctrizole

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